Sutheroand Church

                                                                                                                 January 26, 2014

630 East 19th Street

Sutherland Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"Sutherland Church is a multi-generational, community church.  The heritage of the church is from the Plymouth Brethren tradition and the congregation is made up of people from a large number of denominational backgrounds." (Link 1.)

The origin of  Sutherland Church was in the Hollyburn Gospel Chapel in West Vancouver, B.C..  However, the members of the Hollyburn Gospel Chapel that lived in North Vancouver, the city to the east of West Vancouver, decided that they wanted a church in their own area.  

The property was bought from the City of North Vancouver in 1967.  The lot on the north-west corner of East 19th Street and Sutherland Avenue was a swamp and needed to be built up before construction of a church could begin.

After a very successful Vacation Bible School at Queensbury Elementary School, North Vancouver in the summer of 1968. The congregation continued Sunday worship services in the cafeteria at Sutherland Secondary School on 19th St. and Sutherland Avenue.

Actual construction of the church building was started and completed in 1970. The first part to be built was the foyer and lounge.  An auditorium was added in 1974.  The church at this time was called Sutherland Bible Chapel.

"The ministry of the church was carried out in the tradition of the "Christian Brethren" in that there was no paid or full time ministry staff.  Rather, the Elders and others voluntarily took an active and visible part in leadership,counselling, visitation, preaching, teaching music and other spiritual ministries,...  in the early 1980's the Elders decided that because of the practicalities of the times, a full time Pastor would be a good idea." (REF.)

This 1970's church was demolished in 1995, the 25th anniversary of the church. The new church was built with its entrance of a bank of broad steps on East 19th Street. "Shortly after moving into our new building our fellowship's name was changed to the present 'Sutherland Church' ". (REF.) 

Sanctuary/Auditorium

The new church sanctuary/auditorium has a balcony and a foyer.  There are numerous meeting room, an office, and an active daycare area.

"Today there are still remnants of the twelve families that formed the nucleus of our original church..."  In the 1980's the Brethren heritage was blended with that of the Baptist Church.  Since 1992 Youth Pastors have also been hired to work with the children of the church. (REF.)

Banner made by the children

For more information on Sutherland Church see Blog Post 1/19/14.

Thank you: To church secretary Sharon La Lau, Youth Minister Keith Williams
                 and congregation member Bill Gillmartin for information on the 
                 church.
Reference: "History of Sutherland Church, 8/2013"  from Bill Gillmartin.
Photos: Photos taken in 2013 by SW. 
                 Top photo taken in year 2000 by SW for Project Your 
                 House/Our Home on file at the North Vancouver Archives.
Link 1: http://sutherlandchurch.ca/
Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Brethren

Prayer

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

                                                                                                       January 19, 2014

Entrance

630 East 19th Street

Posthumous

Sutherland Bible Chapel (1970-1995 Building)

North Vancouver, B.C.

The origin of  Sutherland Church was in the early 1960's at  Hollyburn Gospel Chapel in West Vancouver, B.C.. Hollyburn Gospel Chapel was a Plymouth Brethren Church.  

"The various churches of the Christian Brethren movement are independent, conservative and evangelical....it is estimated that there are about one million people who identify themselves as Brethren.

"In the winter of 1827-1828 four men...gathered...in Dublin, Ireland.  Soon there were assemblies... in several locations.  The most well-known group was in Plymouth, and the name "Plymouth Brethren" has since become a default name for others.

"Brethren churches vary somewhat in their practices and beliefs due to their independent nature,...(There is an) absence of clergy/laity distinctions.  Brethren churches typically partake of the Lord's Supper weekly." (REF.)

The members of the Hollyburn Gospel Chapel that lived in North Vancouver, the city to the east of West Vancouver, decided that they wanted a church in their own area. " 'Hollyburn' formed a committee to look for property in North Vancouver...The ...location of 19th Street and Sutherland Avenue...was purchased from the City of North Vancouver in 1967." (REF.)

However, the lot on the north-west corner of East 19th Street and Sutherland Avenue was a swamp and needed to be built up before construction of a church could begin. (BG)

A very well attended Daily Vacation Bible School was held at Queensbury School, North Vancouver in the summer of 1968. "The success of that undertaking encouraged the leaders of the new venture and a Sunday School and adult Bible Study commenced that fall.  These were held Sunday morning in the cafeteria of Sutherland High School across the street from our property.

Rear of Building

"Work on the site clearing started by volunteers in the spring of 1968 and construction followed shortly afterward on the first phase of an intended church building." Painting was also done by the volunteers.

"In fall 1969 as the building's first phase (the foyer, lounge, kitchen washroom, nursery and basement of an eventual building) nearing completion, the leadership of the home church at Hollyburn chose the initial leaders (Elders) for Sutherland....On Feb. 2, 1970 twelve families met for communion for the first time in the new building and so formally launched Sutherland Bible Chapel. Over the next few years the number in the fellowship continued to grow to the point where the first phase of the building was overcrowded.  A decision was made to complete the auditorium portion of the building.  This was opened in 1974.

"In the initial years the ministry of the church was carried out in the tradition of the "Christian Brethren" in that there was no paid or full time ministry staff... the preaching was done either by a member of the congregation or by a visitor.

North Side of Building

"In the early 1980's the Elders decided that because of the practicalities of the times, a "full-time worker" would be a good idea.  Over the years...Pastors have each assisted us to grow spiritually..."

"The twenty fifth anniversary of Sutherland was celebrated in 1995 by demolishing  the building...and constructing the larger facility we have today."(REF.) The new church with its entrance of a bank of broad steps on East 19th Street was built.

For more information on Sutherland Church see Blog Post 1/19/14.

Thank you: To Bill Gillmartin for information and slides. 

Photos: Photos were taken of the slides and photoshopped by SW.

Reference: "History of Sutherland Church, 8/2013 from Bill Gillmartin.

Link 1: http://sutherlandchurch.ca/

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

Prayer

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

San Pedro Church

San Pedro Church
Cartagena, Columbia

"Cartagena or Cartagena de Indias (Spanish pronunciation: [kartaˈxena ðe ˈindjas], "Cartagena of the Indies"), is a city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region and capital of the Bolívar Department. The port city had a population of 892,545 as of the 2005 census. It is the fifth-largest city in Colombia and the second largest in the region, after Barranquilla. The Cartagena urban area is also the fifth-largest urban area in the country. Economic activities include maritime and petrochemicals industry, as well as tourism.

"The city was founded on June 1, 1533, and named after Cartagena, Spain. However, settlement in this region around Cartagena Bay by various indigenous people dates back to 4000 BC....Cartagena is the city most associated with pirates in the Caribbean, and the world. In 1984 Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site" (Link 1.)

San Pedro Church

"Cartagena’s Catedral de San Pedro Claver, so close to the sea wall, seems unduly imposing for such a sanctified site. Begun in 1575, when this was a very rough neighborhood, its unfinished fortifications were destroyed in 1586 during a tiff with Sir Francis Drake and his pirate crew, and rebuilt by 1602.

"Its namesake, San Pedro Claver Corberó, did not arrive until 1610. The Spanish-born priest arrived in Cartagena, then a slave-trading hub, as a novice priest. Horrified by the treatment of African captives, sold to a motley crew of middlemen on what’s now Plaza de los Coches, the young man became an activist, writing in his diary, “Pedro Claver, slave of the slaves forever (3 April 1622).”

"Pedro would not only baptize newly enslaved arrivals right in the cathedral’s courtyard well (which was already controversial), but he would then explain to the newly saved that they deserved all the rights held by other Christian citizens of the Spanish Empire. This didn’t go over well with their new “owners,” not to mention most of his fellow Jesuits. The Vatican, already officially (if not actively) against slavery, would go on to canonize him in 1888.

"The saint’s remains are preserved in the illuminated glass coffin in the altar, and bring in pilgrims that have included Pope John Paul II. The cavernous interior’s arches and columns, hewn from the same pale stone as the sea walls, seem infused with light. The main wooden altar, though not as heavy with gold gilt and precious stones as some, is considered one of Colombia’s most beautiful. The detailed stained glass is also exceptional." (Link 2.)

Photos: Taken in October 2013 by SW.

Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartagena,_Colombia

Link 2: http://www.viator.com/Cartagena-attractions/Cathedral-of-San-Pedro-Claver/d4498-a6193

Prayer

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

Wai' Oli Hui' ia Church

(Link 1.)

Wai'Oli Hui' ia Church
Hanalei, Kaua'i, Hawai'i

"Hanalei is a census-designated place  in Kauaʻi County, Hawaiʻi,United States. The population was 450 at the 2010 census. Hanalei means "lei making" in Hawaiian. Alternatively, the name Hanalei also means "crescent bay" and may be indicative of the shape of Hanalei Bay.

"Hanalei was the backdrop of several film productions, such as the 1958 musical film South Pacific. Scenes were filmed in the town itself and atLumahai Beach to the west of Hanalei." (Link 2.)

"The Wai`oli Mission was established by American Christian Missionaries in 1834. A pole and thatch meeting house was constructed by Hawaiians on the Mission Hall site, in anticipation of the arrival of the missionaries.

"Following the destruction of two earlier buildings by fire and wind, the congregation completed the timber frame and plaster building in 1841. The lime for the plaster was made from coral which was dug at low tide.

"The Mission Bell was acquired in 1843, and placed in the belfry behind the Mission Hall. The Mission Hall is the oldest surviving church building on the island of Kaua`i.       William and Mary Alexander, the first missionaries to Hanalei, arrived by double canoe from the Waimea Mission. During their nine years here, Mr. Alexander, assisted by George Rowell and Edward Johnson, carried the Gospel to persons along the Northern coastline of Kaua`i. Two years were spent building the Mission House, which was completed in 1837. Mr. Alexander "laid up the chimney" with his own hands, and it stands to this day.  Deborah Kapule, the dowager Queen of Kaua`i and an earnest convert, assisted in establishing the Mission.  Governor Kaikioewa of Kaua`i provided the land, and encouraged the Mission in many ways.

"The Mission School was started so that children and adults could read the Bible, which the missionaries translated into Hawaiian. Abner and Lucy Wilcox arrived in 1846 to spend over 20 years as educational missionaries, developing this school, which was a pioneer in vocational training as well. The Wai`oli Mission School was well attended, and trained teachers to go throughout Kaua`i and Ni`ihau. This is now the Hanalei Public School

160 × 104 - pbase.co

250

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Sanctuary Side Windows

"Having survived two previous hurricanes, Hurricane Dot and Hurricane Iwa, both the Wai`oli Hui`ia Church Sanctuary and the Wai`oli Mission Hall were restored after sustaining significant damage from Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Both buildings are listed on the state and national registers of historic places.

Sunday Bulletin

"The Wai`oli Church Choir is well known for its skill in singing and for its repertoire of early Hawaiian hymns which are sung each Sunday at the 10:00 AM service.

"The Wai`oli Hui`ia Church has had a continuous record of service since 1834, first as a Congregational Church, and since 1957, as a United Church of Christ.

"The Wai`oli Hui`ia United Church of Christ extends a cordial welcome to all to worship with them on Sunday mornings, and at special services throughout the year."  (Link 1.)

Photo: Link 1 and of Sunday Bulletin picked up by good friend Sue in October 2013 when she was visiting Hawaii to celebrate her 75th birthday.
Link 1: http://www.hanaleichurch.org/About_Us.html
Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanalei,_Hawaii

Prayer

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