220 Jackson Avenue

Vancouver Buddhist Temple
Vancouver, B.C. Canada


Oppenheimer Park  marks the east entrance to the downtown area of Vancouver.  Both Chinatown and at one time the one block long Japan town are to the west of the park.  Directly across the street to the east is the Vancouver Buddhist Temple.

"The Vancouver Buddhist Temple is a member temple of the Buddhist Churches of Canada. The organization is affiliated with the Nishi Hongwanji Temple of Kyoto, Japan, the mother temple of the Jodo Shinshu ( True Pure Land ) sect of Buddhism. The sect follows the teachings of Shinran Shonin (1173 - 1262). It is a teaching wherein we are endowed with the ultimate goal of Enlightenment symbolized as the Pure Land.

"In 1904, fourteen Buddhist followers gathered to discuss the construction of a Buddhist temple in Vancouver. They decided to build a new temple and to request the mother temple in Kyoto to send a minister to Canada. Rev. Senju Sasaki arrived as the first minister in Vancouver on October 12, 1905. On November 9,1906, property at 32 Alexander St. was purchased. This location became the centre of activity for Jodo Shinshu followers.

"As a result of the Second World War, all Canadians of Japanese descent were ordered to evacuate the west coast. Consequently, the Buddhist temple was closed. In 1949, the War Measures Act was lifted and Japanese-Canadians were permitted to return to the coast. In 1951, the Vancouver Buddhist Temple was re-organized. 

Methodist Church at 220 Jackson Ave.
(REF. 2)

"In 1954, the Methodist Church building at 220 Jackson Ave. was purchased. This renovated building served the needs of our members until 1978 when it was decided that a new building on the site should be built. In 1979, the new temple was completed and has been the location of the Vancouver Buddhist Temple to present." (Link 1.)

Front door of the Temple

The front doors at the north end of the Jackson Avenue Temple lead to the assembly hall where services are held.  "The shrine ornaments of our naijun (altar area) were purchased in Japan and installed in the former temple in 1957....  On the completion of the new temple building in 1979 the shrine was moved to the new building." (REF 2.)

Sanctuary of the Temple

The altar area (naijin) in the assembly hall is raised.  Central to the this area is the golden altar with the statue Amida Buddha, "...a  symbol of Infinite Wisdom and Boundless Compassion."  On each side   "Chrysanthemum lamps (Kiku Rinto) hang from the ceiling..." (REF 2.)

Front altar of the Temple Sanctuary

On both sides of the altar area is a large  peacock panel.  The peacock is the Buddhist symbol for wisdom.  This symbol is also repeated in the central of the five golden rectangular panels above the altar area. On the main floor  at the front of the center aisle is the incense bowl (koro).  It is burned with incense to symbolize the act of purification. (REF 2.)   

 Peacock panel to the right of the altar area

Center peacock panel above the altar area

"Gratitude" as written on the plaque above the exit doors of the assembly hall  is the message of the Temple.  "...recitation of the Name (Namo Amida Butsu) is our expression of gratitude." (REF 1.)

In March 2013 the Wind Orchestra from Soshin Christian (Baptist) Girls School in Yokohama, Japan played in the fellowship hall at the Temple. Forty-nine members of the Wind Orchestra, between Grades 7 to 10 participated. 

Soshin Girls Wind Orchestra

Thank you: To Gina Chor and the staff at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple for information, publications,  and gracious hospitality.
Photos: Taken in March 2013 by SW.
Reference 1: JODU SHINSHU-A GUIDE-Hongwanji Inernational Center, Kyoto, Japan.
Reference 2: Infinite Life, History of the Vancouver Buddhist Temple.

Link 1: http://vancouverbuddhisttemple.com/history
Link 2: http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-BH/bh117490.htm

2617 Cedar Street

Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Catholic Church
Everett, Washington

"Everett is home to the largest public marina on the west coast of the United States^[11]and is the western terminus of the western segment of U.S. Route 2. It is also home toBoeing's assembly plant for the 747, 767, 777, and the new 787 in the largest building in the world by volume at 116.5 million cubic feet (3,300,000 m³).

"Everett is also home to the Port of Everett, an international shipping port, that brings trade, commerce, jobs and recreational opportunities to the city." (Link 2.)

Everett, Washington (Google)

"Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish has a rich history. Since the founding of the city of Everett in 1891, the Catholic population of North Everett has been able to worship, pray and learn together at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Father William Lindner, C.Ss.R., said the first Mass on January 17, 1892.  

"While our church had humble beginnings in a two-story schoolhouse (located west of Broadway between Hewitt and Pacific Avenues), a permanent church and rectory were soon built on the current church property at the corner of Cedar Street and Everett Avenue. Our Lady of Perpetual Help was blessed by Bishop Aegidius Junger, D.D., and opened for Divine Service on April 23, 1893. 

"Soon after, attention was turned toward providing a place of Catholic education for the children of the parish. St. Dominic's Academy opened in September of 1899, with seventy children, held in the basement of the church.

"By 1916, as Our Lady of Perpetual Help celebrated its silver jubilee, growth in the parish was phenomenal. The current facility, including the church, school, rectory and hall, were built in 1925 to accommodate such growth. 

"At this time a pipe organ was purchased to enhance liturgical services. This organ was moved to the new church and still blesses us with wonderful music.

"...late 1980's funds were ... raised to install stained glass windows in the church. These windows greatly enhance the beauty of our church and liturgy and provide a legacy of art and beauty. (Link 1.)

Front Exterior Entrance Doors 

The red brick church has many distinctive architectural details. The brick above the portico is laid in a criss-cross design with a row of small arches along the roof line. Inside the arches are alternating roses and shields, symbols of Virgin Mary.  White cement roses for the Virgin Mary also line the roof line with a "rick-rack" pattern above.

On either side of the portico* are strips of white relief sculpture with another symbol of the Virgin May, that of the lily.

Lily relief sculpture strips

A white cross tops the center peak of the roof line.

The exterior of the portico* features a tile roof, Corinthian pillars , and three decorative arches of alternating red brick and cement.  Roses for the Virgin Mary are molded in of each of the Corinthian pillars. (See photo below.)

There are three front entrance doors: a center double door with single doors on either side.  Each of the doors has two banks of square windows.  An alternating red brick cement pattern arches around the doors with the square design  repeated in the arch above each.  In the center of the square arch insert above the  double doors is a cross. (See photo above.)

Front Exterior Pillar

Windows with square panels also flank the portico and are in the addition on the rear of the church sanctuary. (See top photo.)  Arched windows line the sides of the sanctuary, in a bank of five above the portico, on the second storey on either side of the front, and above the side doors of the rear addition. (See photos at the top and below.) 

Side Bank of Sanctuary Windows-Exterior

Window above side door of rear addition

"The organization of the church would change dramatically in 1994, as Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Immaculate Conception Parish became one pastoral unit.... While Masses are still said at each church, and parish councils remain separate, many of the other administrative functions have been combined. (Link 1.)

Sign on front of church

Photos: Taken in February 2013 by SW.

Link 1: http://parish.ic-olph.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=100
Link 2:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett,_Washington
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portico

Prayer

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

                                                                                                         4/14/13

3211 Grant McConachie Way

Airport Chapel
Vancouver International Airport
Richmond, B.C. Canada

"In 1927 Charles Lindbergh refused to include Vancouver in his North Americantour because of the lack of a proper airport. Two years later the city purchased land on Sea Island for aviation purposes, replacing the original grass airstrip at Minoru Park. During World War II the airports and its original terminal, now the South Terminal, would be leased to the Federal government, and operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport. The airport was a base for Royal Canadian Air Force training, the crews and their families housed in a new townsite on the island, named Burkeville after Boeing president Stanley Burke. Funds from the lease were used to purchase additional land for new hangars and a production plant for Boeing Aircraft of Canada. (Link 2.)


                                                                
"Our former location, in 1983, was the domestic terminal. Our present location
was designed as a chapel when the international terminal was built.  This June we will celebrate our 30th anniversary at YVR. (Layne Daggett.)

Entrance to Chapel Office and Chapel

The Airport Chapel is found in the south west corner on the arrival floor of the airport.  It is past the fast food outlets, the florist, the convenience stores, and the seating area.  This corner was a originally a ticket counter. In 1983 it was converted to the office of the Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy.  A volunteer will greet you when you enter the office.  Through the office and to the right is the Chapel. (Link 1.)

Chapel Worship Services

"The Chapel is hosted by a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers who offer: A friendly face and a helping hand for people who are travelling because of serious illness or the death of a loved one;

"Food/shelter for a stranded passenger, a new immigrant, a refugee claimant, or Canadian citizen who has been deported back to Canada:

"A quiet place for an employee to relax and reflect...and share come concerns; A peaceful place of private prayer for all people and all faiths...or faith seekers." (Link 1.)

The colorful tapestry on the front wall of the Chapel is titled "Tree of Life" and was made by Mae Runions.

One of the Chaplains can even arrange for airport airline staff to be married in a candlelight wedding in the Airport Chapel or nuptials on the top deck of a 747.

Thank you: To Airport Chaplain Layne Daggett for information on the Chapel

Food/shelter for a stranded passenger, a new immigra































































































































a refugee cla


ima or Canadian citizk to Canada;A peaceful place of private prayer for all people 

                 tapestry.

Photos: Taken in February 2013 by SW.

Link 1: http://www.yvrchaplain.com/airportchaplainindex2.html

Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_International_Airport

Prayer

Dear God, Loving Father, 

Be with our children,  

Protect them, 

Guide them, 

 Give them strength.

Amen

A

                                                                                           4/14/13

3211 Grant McConachie Way

Airport Chapel
Vancouver International Airport
Richmond, B.C. Canada

"In 1927 Charles Lindbergh refused to include Vancouver in his North Americantour because of the lack of a proper airport. Two years later the city purchased land on Sea Island for aviation purposes, replacing the original grass airstrip at Minoru Park. During World War II the airports and its original terminal, now the South Terminal, would be leased to the Federal government, and operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport. The airport was a base for Royal Canadian Air Force training, the crews and their families housed in a new townsite on the island, named Burkeville after Boeing president Stanley Burke. Funds from the lease were used to purchase additional land for new hangars and a production plant for Boeing Aircraft of Canada. (Link 2.)

"Our former location, in 1983, was the domestic terminal. Our present location was designed as a chapel when the international terminal was built. This June we will celebrate our 30th anniversary at YVR." (Layne Daggett.)

Entrance to Chapel Office and Chapel

The Airport Chapel is found in the south west corner on the arrival floor of the airport.  It is past the fast food outlets, the florist, the convenience stores, and the seating area.  This corner was a originally a ticket counter. In 1983 it was converted to the office of the Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy.  A volunteer will greet you when you enter the office.  Through the office and to the right is the Chapel. (Link 1.)

Chapel Worship Services

"The Chapel is hosted by a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers who offer: A friendly face and a helping hand for people who are travelling because of serious illness or the death of a loved one;o relax and reflect ... and share some concerns;A peaceful place o private prayer for all people and all faiths .... 
The colorful tapestry on the front wall of the Chapel is titled "Tree of Life" and was made by Mae Runions. 

One of the Chaplains can even arrange for airport airline staff to be married in a candlelight wedding in the Airport Chapel or nuptials on the top deck of a 747. (Link 1.)

Thank you: To Airport Chaplain Layne Daggett for information on the Chapel

Food/shelter for a stranded passenger, a new immigrant, 


a refugee cla

ima or Canadian citizk to Canada;A peaceful place of private prayer for all people 

                 tapestry.
Photos: Taken in February 2013 by SW.
Link 1: http://www.yvrchaplain.com/airportchaplainindex2.html
Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_International_Airport

Prayer

Dear God, Loving Father, 

Be with our children,  

Protect them, 

Guide them, 

 Give them strength.

Amen
***********

(Note 2017 Update: 2017 Annual Report

   April 8 AGM Highlights: 

SUMMARY:  Here's what God has been doing in our midst:

• 2016 Stats reveal that over 13,000 people entered the Chapel, of whom about 75% were Airport employees.
• The Chaplain team made significant contact with more than 7,000 passengers and employees in the terminals outside the Chapel.
• So, the total number of Chapel connections in 2016 within the YVR Community was over 20,000!  Much to be praising God for, eh?)

                                                                          April 7, 2013                                                 

382 Boblett Street (2013)

Christ Episcopal Church
Blaine, Washington

The first Christ Episcopal Church was built in Blaine in 1890.  It faced 4th Street at the southeast corner of 4th and D streets.  The  combined chapel and rectory seated 75. In 1892 the value of the church property was $2000. In 1904 this property was sold and the new church at on Boblett was built. (REF.)

The 1904 church was built in the Arts and Crafts design.  "Red cedar shingles cut in Blaine cover the exterior of Christ Church and its fellowship hall....  The shingles originally had a green stain ... The narrow Tudor upper brackets on the porches, the roof with the flared eaves, and the gable overhang shaped by the narthex window  are also Craftsman characteristics. (REF.)

Sanctuary (2013)

"The interior features plain fir woodwork in beaded wainscot and ceiling.  The fir scissors trusses and beams that support the building and the fir pews retain some of their original green tint.  The hall has the same fir wainscot, along with fir walls and coved ceiling.  The stained glass windows of deep purple and gold diamond panes with bright green trim are a Tudor design and complement the brown and green tones of the interior woodwork.  The diamond panes in the trefoil window above the altar were probably clear glass originally, colored now in pale purple shades caused by the action of sunlight on magnesium present in the glass made before World War I.  The narthex window is the only nod to traditional Gothic church architecture. 

Narthex Window (2013)

The present stained glass of the narthex window was originally donated in 1952.  "The red panel from the 1952 window was replaced in 2991 after being cracked by heavy equipment work on the road in front of the church.  Ruth Green, a stained glass craftsman formerly of Blaine, designed and made the panel of the narthex window that depicts a Celtic Cross. 

"A 1904 building cost memorandum lists $1906.85 for the church complex, including $115 for the lots.  An additional $797.65 covered freight, cement sidewalk, paving on Boblett and Adelia streets, and sewer work, for a total of $2704.50. (REF.)

"Christ (Episcopal) Church has a collection of original maple furnishings, likely made by J.M. Eaton...."  The altar is made of curly maple in memory of Rt. Rev. Philips Brooks the author of the words of "O Little Town of Bethlehem." In 1991 the moved forward from its original placement below the trefoil window. The brass "Holy Holy Holy" plaques  were moved from the reredo to the front of the altar." (See photo below.) (REF.)

Altar (Link.)

Stations of the Cross Plaque (2013)

Hanging on the walls of the Fellowship Hall are both photos of Roll Call of Clergy and plaques of Stations of the Cross.  The Roll Call of Clergy includes two that traveled from Canada for services.  The plaques of the Stations of the Cross (See photo above.) are part of an unfinished set carved in the 1990's by Donald Whitesmith, son of E. M. Smith, vicar 1907-1908. (REF.)

"Resurrection Window"

Hallway Stained Glass Window

The above stained glass "Resurrection Window" by Leslie Mason  brightens the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall.

"Our church is very active in the community with feeding the hungry, annual winter coat drives for the needy, local school supply drives, helping the unfortunate, elderly, and children in Mexico by supplying items for home and schools, building nursing homes and sanitary facilities." (REF.)

Christ Episcopal Church is also part of the early history of Saint Innocent Orthodox Christian Church in Everson, Washington (about 20 miles east of Blaine).  "The parish that became St. Innocent's had its beginnings at another church. In the late 1980s, the congregation of St. Herman of Alaska Russian Orthodox Church in Langley, British Columbia included several Americans who regularly commuted across the border to attend services.  As the American parishioners got to know each other, they developed the idea of founding their own parish on the American side of the border. Two major obstacles immediately presented themselves: the congregation had no building to worship in, and they were not recognized as a parish and thus did not have permission to serve liturgy.
 
"The first obstacle was temporarily resolved when Christ Episcopal Church in Blaine allowed the group to worship in their building. The parish began serving vespers on Wednesday nights in that location in March of 1990. (They continued to commute up to St. Herman's for Divine Liturgy.) Official parish status took a little more time, but in the end, the congregation's patience was rewarded. On June 14, 1992 (Pentecost Sunday) Father Mel celebrated the first Divine Liturgy. 15 people, 10 adults and five children, were present. After consideration, the parish took St. Innocent as their patron. St. Innocent was a great American saint, a man of many talents and almost inexhaustible drive and energy. It would take that kind of drive, the parishioners felt, to build the tiny parish into a thriving community. 

"The parish continued to worship at Christ Episcopal Church for almost four more years. During that time, the size of the parish grew and parishioners began to seek out a more permanent location. Although grateful for the generosity of Christ Episcopal Church, the Orthodox congregation had to admit that sharing space was inconvenient. The Orthodox had to wait until the Episcopalian service was completed to celebrate Divine Liturgy; often this meant that Liturgy would not begin until 11 or 11:30 in the morning. Furthermore, the service had to be "portable." The parishioners had to set up and take down their icons and other liturgical items each service. 
In January of 1996, the parish moved..." (Link 2.)

Thank you: To the congregation members who gave me the reference booklet and a tour of the church.

Photos: Taken in February 2013 by SW.

Reference 1: Christ Episcopal Church, Blaine, Washington 1904-2004.
Link 1: http://christchurchblaine.org/
Link 2: http://www.saintinnocentchurch.com/history.html
Note: 5/8/14 comment from April  Eaton- 

"Since your visit, the purple & gold argyle windows have been replaced with beautiful stained glass matching the landscapes of the environment they face (mountainscape on one side, beachscape on the other) with the 23rd Psalm running through each window wrapping the sanctuary. It is quite beautiful! The artist is Leslie Mason, a local glass artisan & parishioner (the same who did the Resurrection windows in your piece above)."                                                                             Prayer God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW)