6404 Wellington Avenue

St. Monica's Anglican Church

Horseshoe Bay, B.C. Canada

Horseshoe Bay, B.C.

"Horseshoe Bay is a West Vancouver community of about 1,000 permanent residents. Situated right on the western tip of West Vancouver, at the entrance to Howe Sound, the village marks the western end of Highway 1 on the British Columbia mainland, as well as the southern end of the Sea-to-Sky Highway, with Lions Bay just 15 minutes north.

"A major BC Ferries terminal is located here, providing vehicle ferry links to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Bowen Island, a small island in the southern part of Howe Sound..." (Link 3.)

1960 Sanctuary on left 

(Lower Level on the right was the first 1951 church building.)

"The earlist  church services in the Whytecliff - Horseshoe Bay area were held  in various  homes, the Horseshoe Bay Motel, the Cottage Inn and the Community Hall.  This occured through the 1920's the 1930's and into the 1940's.  In late 1941 the Whytecliff Anglican Women's Guild was organized. This small group of women arranged various  social functions to raise money.  The proceeds were used to buy the land where the current St. Monica's church hall stands.   By 1946 the building fund had grown.  In 1948  a building   permit was approved  by the Municipality of West Vancouver.  By 1950 a frame building with rough flooring was erected.  The first church service was held in the newly completed church hall on Jan 14, 1951.  

1960 Sanctuary

(Set up for February 16, 2013 evening concert.)

"The church continued to grow and in March of 1957 the Synod purchased the land beside the hall and construction of the Sanctuary began in March of 1959.  It was on Trinity Sunday, June 12, 1960 that the first church service was held in the newly built beautiful  Sanctuary,  where the services continue on to this day." (Link 2.)

The centerpiece of the Sanctuary is the large modern rectangular stained glass window set in the brick wall directly behind the altar. It is the work of French artist Gabriel Loire. His windows can also be seen in St. Andrew's-Wesley Church in Vancouver. (Link 5.)

 The work of other artisans is also apparent.  The hand crafted St. Monica banner on the left side of the chancel and a similar banner in the narthex  were made by congregation member Romanie Stewart. (See photo below.) 

Narthex Banner

The center aisle ends of the two rows of pews feature octagons of hand carved and colored biblical images. (See photos below.)

Sanctuary Pew Carving
"I a the bread of life."

Sanctuary Pew Carving
"I am the good shepard."

Sanctuary Pew Carving
"The three kings."

The building to the left of the front entrance of the church is the original 1951 church building.  The row of windows along the top of the right hand side exterior wall show off the greenery outside.  This room is now used as a Fellowship Hall.

Right side/Lower Level Fellowship Hall
(Original 1951 Church)

Also on the lower level is a lounge. The wall of large windows again bring the  outdoors inside.

Lower Level Lounge

Outdoors, to the left of the church is the Coronation Bell made in England. It  celebrates the 1952 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Coronation Bell

To the right of the front steps is the H O P E flower garden of pansies.    "During the warm month of September, 2012, The Reverend Janice Lowell, in her office, said a prayer. The focus of the prayer was HOPE. While Janice was praying, Nate Orasuk, a Horseshoe Bay Landscape Designer, and St. Monica’s parishioner, was digging. Apparently, he got the message. Nate was digging a garden of HOPE for St. Monica’s: an outward and visible sign of what is growing within.  St. Monica’s has a lot of hope for the future, ..." (Link 4.)

Hope Flower Garden (Link 4.)

Sign at entrance to church driveway

Thank you: To Rev. Janice Mount Lowell for church information.

Photos: Taken in February 2013 by SW.
Link 1: http://memorybc.ca/st-monicas-parish-horseshoe-bay-west-vancouver-b-c-fonds;rad

Link 2: http://www.stmonicaschurch.com/
Link 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_Bay,_West_Vancouver

Link 4: http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/News/DiocesanNews/tabid/252/Mode/ViewArticle/ArticleId/1591/Default.aspx

Link 5:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Loire

Happy Easter 2013

Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen