1/25/15

420 Seymour River Place

(Kenneth Gordon School)

St. Simon's Anglican Church/Anglican Coalition in Canada
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"The first group of Anglicans met in 1940 in the back of a grocery store on Gallant Avenue." (Reference.)  This store later became the Bike Shop and most recently Deep Cove Outdoors. The property is now being proposed for development.  "This evening service consisted of 12 people, seven of them belonging to the Rawlings family.  When the community hall was built in 1940, the congregation moved there... Mr. Naughton, a real estate agent in the Cove, donated the property on Deep Cove Rd. (1384) for St. Simon's Anglican Church... The congregation members literally got out and dug the foundations for their building.  This consisted of one floor... But the building was too small, so the congregation once again got busy and dug out a basement so a lower floor could be added." (Reference.) 

"Based on the first kept records of Sunday attendance,  we date the official beginning of St. Simon's from October  1945.  As such we are celebrating  our 70th Anniversary this coming Harvest Thanksgiving 2015." (Rev. Ed Hird) 

The people of Deep Cove worshiped in the Deep Cove Anglican Church named St. Simon's until the year 2004.

1384 Deep Cove Road

"The parish was formerly named St. Simon’s Deep Cove. Its priest and several members of the congregation left the Anglican Church of Canada in 2004 over the issue of same sex blessings. The next year they turned the building over to diocesan officials and have set up shop in a school outside the Deep Cove neighbourhood. However they kept the name “St. Simon’s,” which caused a great deal of confusion in the local community." (REF Blog Post 1.)  The name of the little blue church was changed to St. Clara-in-the-Cove Anglican Church.  

In January of 2014 St. Clara-in-the-Cove Anglican Church was sold to "The Bridge", the Baptist church which originally met in Delbrook in North Vancouver. (REF Blog Post 2.) The little blue church is now serving as their office building.  Their Sunday worship service is held in the theater at Capilano University.

St. Simon's Church sign at 420 Seymour Place

(2014)

For the last 10 years (2004-2014) the congregation of St. Simon's under the leadership of Rev. Ed Hird has met in the gym at Maplewood/Kenneth Gordon School for Sunday worship services.  Bible study, the young adult group, the worship project, women's group, and men's group meet in alternate venues.

Church Greeting Display at
420 Seymour Place 
(2014)

To get ready for each Sunday's worship service the Kenneth Gordon School gym is transformed into the Sanctuary of St. Simon's Anglican Church.  The gym floor is covered in a tarp; the cross from the Deep Cove church is erected;

the altar is centered; electronics are installed for music; a red carpet sets off the chancel; and chairs are set for the congregation.  

Sanctuary in school gym

(2014)

To prepare for Christmas celebrations a Christmas banner stitched by congregation members is hung in front of the alter.  The purchased Biblical scene was enhanced with stitching, wool, beads, and even straw by congregation members by Genevieve Tobin, Donna Hoffman, and Megan Allsopp.

Christmas Banner in Sanctuary

(2014)

The backlit wooden Cross that now hangs in the Sanctuary during Sunday worship originally hung in the Sanctuary in the Deep Cove church.  When The Bridge Church purchased the Deep Cove church on early 2014 they returned it to the St. Simon's congregation.  They also returned the offertory plate, music, and communion items including the chalice, altar cloths.  The music for choir anthems was used for the 2014 Christmas Cantata.

Original Sanctuary Cross

originally at church on Deep Cove Rd. 

now at church meeting at Seymour River Place

Rev. Dr. Ed Hird is an author and recently published the book Restoring Health, Body, Mind and Spirit.

Photos: Taken on Christmas day 2014 by SW.
Link 1: http://www.stsimonschurch.ca/
Reference Blog Post 1: 4/3/11 regarding St. Clara-in-the-Cove/St. Simon's 
                Anglican Church.
Reference Blog Post 2: 11/2/14 regarding The Bridge.
Link 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Mission_in_the_Americas
Link 4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Coalition_in_Canada

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                                4/13/14

Wallace Memorial Chapel                                          (North Vancouver Archives Photo # 6333)

Posthumous
The Wallace Memorial Chapel
St. Martin's Anglican Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The Wallace Memorial Chapel was part of  St. Martin's Anglican Church in  1951 to 1969.

St. Martin's Anglican Church started as St. Thomas Anglican Church in 1910.  It was located on the corner of Lonsdale Ave. and Queens Road in the Upper Lonsdale area of the District of North Vanocuver.

"...the parish was officially rededicated on Nov. 11, 1919, to St. Martin of Tours "in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice on St. Martins Day in 1918, to perpetuate the memory of those who were killed in the Great War. (REF 1.)

In 1923 the church farther north in the District of North Vancouver at the corner of Windsor Road and St. Georges Avenue.  Here the congregation built a hall that became the church.  It faced St. Georges Avenue.  

In 1927 this building was turned 90 degrees with the church entrance then being  on Windsor Road.  And in 1947 a transept and apse was added to the south side of the church.  A bell tower with a church entrance was added on the north side. The entrance has since been moved to the east side of the church. (See photo below.)

St. Martin's Anglican Church

Sanctuary

In 1951 the Wallace Memorial Chapel was dedicated by the Wallace family to the son, Blake Wallace.  Access to to chapel was through the arch on the east wall of the chancel (now framing the organ pipes). 

Arch to Wallace Chapel

"CLARENCE WALLACE (1894 – 1982) SERVED WITH  THE 5TH CANADIAN INFANTRY BATTALION IN WW I AND WAS WOUNDED IN 1915 DURING THE 2ND BATTLE OF YPRES.  POSTWAR, HE CONTINUED THE FAMILY TRADITION AS A MAJOR VANCOUVER SHIP BUILDER AND PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CANADA'S WAR EFFORT IN WWII, FOR WHICH HE WAS MADE A “COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE”.  HE WAS APPOINTED LT. GOVERNOR OF BC FROM 1950 TO 1955 AND IS INCLUDED IN VANCOUVER’S “HALL OF FAME”. 

"HIS ELDEST SON, FLYING OFFICER BLAKE WALLACE (1917 – 1941), ENLISTED IN THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE IN 1939 AND FLEW HURRICANES DURING THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN IN 1940.  HE WAS CREDITED WITH TWO ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED IN 1941 BUT WAS SHOT DOWN AND KILLED DURING A MAJOR AIR BATTLE OVER NORTHERN FRANCE IN OCTOBER THE SAME YEAR." (Link 2.) 

Church with Transept on Left             (North Vancouver Archives Photo #6327)        The front wall of this small memorial chapel was dominated by three stained glass memorial windows.  (See top NV Archives photos #'s 6333 and 6327.)  In 1969 there was a need for space for new organ pipes.  The chapel served that need and was closed.  The three stained glass memorial windows were moved to the west side of the chancel opposite the organ pipes and the original entrance to the chapel. Wallace Memorial Windows now on west wall of chancel

For more information about St. Martin's Anglican Church see Blog Posts 3/30/14 and 4/6/14.

Photos: Colored photos taken in 2014 by SW.Reference 1: North Vancouver Heritage Inventory, 1984, available at the North 

                          Vancouver Archives.
Reference 2: A Short History of St. Martins, 1910-1956, North Vancouver, 

                           B.C., Roy Pallant.

Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrard_Dry_Dock
Link 2: http://www.jsca.bc.ca/itw/JerichoBrochure1206.pdf

*****

Prayer

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

                                            195 East Windsor Road

St. Martins Anglican Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The first worship service of this church was held in October 1910. In early November, 1910 the church became a mission of St. John's Anglican Church, North Vancouver (See Blog Post 9/30/12.).  And later in November 1910 the name of the church was officially St. Thomas Anglican Church.  (For more on this building see blog post 3/12/14.)

This first service was held in a small rented hall on the north-west corner of Lonsdale Avenue and Queens Road in North Vancouver District.  The building was built by Thomas S. Nye as a warehouse to store building materials.  In 1918 it was purchased for $800 by the church congregation, then enlarged. 

"...the parish was officially rededicated on Nov. 11, 1919, to St. Martin of Tours "in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice on St. Martins Day in 1918, to perpetuate the memory of those who were killed in the Great War. (REF 1.)

St. Martin's Anglican Church continued to meet in the Thomas Nye warehouse for 13 years. (The hall ran parallel to Queens Rd. with the entrance on Lonsdale Ave. and the altar at the west end. REF 4.)  "The last service was held at this location on the 1st Sunday in September, 1923" (REF 3.) In 1927 it was sold for $300 and became a builder' supply store. (REF 3.) "It is the current location of a gas station at the corner of Lonsdale and Queens." (REF 2.)

"In June 1921 two lots (The cost was $850.-REF 3.) on East Windsor Road were purchased to build a parish hall (The cost was $1800-REF 3.) for the community.  The hall was opened in early 1922, and by 1923 this former parish hall became a temporary church. (With the altar located at the east end-REF 3.)  

Alterations had to be made  and in 1927 this hall was turned 90 degrees on the property (With the altar now located at the south end-REF 3.)  It was raised and a basement was built beneath." (It is the present church nave.) (REF 2.) The cost was $850.  (REF 3.) 

Description of Church (REF 4.)

" In 1947 the southern apse was added and in 1950 the (Windsor Rd. bell) tower was built. " (Link 2.)  The bell tower featured a Celtic Cross on the front.  "The church offers an attractive Craftsman adaptation of the Gothic Revival Style.   (REF 1.)

Construction of Apse and Transept

(North Vancouver Archives photo  # 6324)

Church and Transept

(North Vancouver Archives photo #6327)

Rear of Church/Apse on left

Tower and Front Entrance on Windsor Rd., 1950

(North Vancouver Archives Photo # 6328)

The entrance to the Sanctuary was later moved from the front of the bell tower to the east side of building. (See top photo.)

Sanctuary

The nave of the Sanctuary features a center aisle with stained glass windows lining the side walls. These windows replaced the original rectangular windows.(See NV Archives photo #6327) Diamond patterned leaded glass panels  flank the some of the tall rectangular stained glass windows. Side Stained Glass Window Side  Stained Glass Window Panel (Note: St. Martin in the right panel.)

The pulpit is made of white oak with dark oak panels.  The yellow cedar tracings are brown English oak. (REF 4.)

Pulpit

The arch on the east wall of the chancel originally led to the Wallace Memorial Chapel in the added transept. (It now frames the organ pipes.) The chapel was dedicated in 1951 in memory of the Wallace's son, Blake Wallace. The chapel included three stained glass windows also dedicated in memory of  Blake Wallace. In 1969 it was closed to accommodate new organ pipes. The stained glass windows were  mounted together and moved to the west wall of the chancel. (REF 4.)

Wallace Memorial Chapel (North Vancouver Archives Photo # 6333) The entrance to the chancel (the rood) is a dark wood frame topped by the words "God So Loved The World".  Above this message is a carved crucifix.  On the left is a small choir loft and exposed organ pipes.  The organ is on the right. The Transept and Altar A brass cross, once at St. John's School Chapel, sits on the altar. (REF 4.) Stained glass windows are on the walls to the right and left.

"The lych-gate was originally built in 1924 for St. James Church in Vancouver, and was designed by Richard T. Perry.  Expansion of that church required its removal, and it was moved to St. Martin's in 1935."  At that time it was erected on St. Georges Ave. at the entrance to the original church hall (now the nave of the present church). Then in 1965 it was moved to its present site as the entrance to the church complex on Windsor Rd. (REF 1.)

 Lych Gate

The same year, 1965, the new parish hall (seen behind the lych gate in photo above) was built running north to south along St. Georges Avenue.  This hall with its basement is the activity center and Sunday School area for the church congregation.

Church Bell

(REF. 4.)

In 1913 the ship's bell of the SS Zafiro of Battle of Manila Bay fame (The flag ship of Commodore Dewey in the Spanish-American War of 1898.-REF 1.) was donated to the church and hung in a rustic, ground-standing belfry.  In 1920 the bell was built into a turret and placed on the roof of the hall (on Queens and Lonsdale), now named St. Martin's Church. The bell and turret were later moved to the roof of the church built at Windsor and St. George's in both the east-west position of 1923, and the north-south position of 1927.  It was moved into the present bell tower in the summer of 1950. (REF 3.)

In 1989 the church was renovation for $250,000.  The architect was Brian Sim and the construction company was Leyland Construction.  During the renovation Sunday worship services were held in the church hall. (REF 6.)

In 2002 a stylized round stained glass Rose Window designed by Irene Alexander was set above the rear entrance to the Sanctuary.  (REF 7.)  It can also be seen on the exterior Windsor Rd. wall to the west of the bell tower.  The Rose Window replaced the original set of three clear glass windows.  (See black and white photo #6328 above.) 

Rose window in rear of church
installed 2002

The hard working and dedicated congregation of St. Martin's Anglican Church has supported the many changes in the physical plant of the church.  They have also donated many of the stained glass windows and much of the church furnishings.

For more information on St. Martin's Anglican Church see Blog Posts 3/30/14 and 4/13/14.

Thank you: To church secretaries Yolanda and Margaret. 

Photos: Colored photos taken in January 2014 by SW.

Reference 1: North Vancouver Heritage Inventory, 1984, available at the North 

                          Vancouver Archives.

Reference 2: North Shore News, "Home and Garden", 'St. Martins Church' by                                  Dorothy Foster, Dec. 4, 1992.

Reference 3: Chronological History, St. Martin's Anglican Church, 

                          Feb.27, 2005 .

Reference 4: A Short History of St. Martins, 1910-1956, North Vancouver, 

                           B.C., Roy Pallant.

Reference 5: 1930 Fire Insurance Map available at the North Vancouver

                           Archives.
Reference 6: The Vancouver Sun, 'Pulpit',  January 11, 1989.
Reference 7: North Shore Historical Society, "The Stained Glass Windows of                                  St. Martin's Church", Irene Alexander, June 2002.
Link:  http://www.saintmartins.ca/

*****

Prayer

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

                                                                                 3/30/14                                                                

St. Martin's Hall, on Lonsdale Ave. at corner with Queens Rd.

(1930 Fire Insurance Map.)

Posthumous
St. Thomas Anglican Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The first worship service of this church was held in October 1910.  The service was held in a small rented hall on the north-west corner of Lonsdale Avenue and Queens Road in North Vancouver District.  This small building was built by Thomas S. Nye as a warehouse to store building materials.  In 1918  this hall was purchased by the church congregation for $800, and enlarged.  St. Thomas Anglican Church continued to meet in the Thomas Nye warehouse for 13 years.  "The last service was held at this location on the 1st Sunday in September, 1923." (REF 3.) In 1927 it was sold for $300 and  became a builder' supply store. (REF 3.) The building also served as the church hall.  "It is the current location of a gas station at the corner of Lonsdale and Queens." (REF 2.)

In early November, 1910 the church became a mission of St. John's Anglican Church, North Vancouver (See Blog Post 9/30/12.).  And later in November 1910 the name of the church was officially St. Thomas Anglican Church.  

"...the parish was officially rededicated on Nov. 11, 1919, to St. Martin of Tours "in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice on St. Martins Day in 1918, to perpetuate the memory of those who were killed in the Great War. (See Link 1.)

(REF 4.)

In 1913 the ship's bell (15" by 15") of the SS Zafiro of Battle of Manila Bay fame (The flag ship of Commodore Dewey in the Spanish-American War of 1898.-REF 1.) was donated to the church and hung in a rustic, ground-standing belfry.  In 1920 the bell was built into a turret and placed on the roof of the hall (on Queens and Lonsdale), now named St. Martin's Church. This same turret was later moved and placed on the roof of the church, built at Windsor and St. Georges in both the east-west position of 1923, and the north-south position of 1927..."(REF 3.)  

Church Bell

(REF. 3)

For more information on St. Martin Anglican Church see Blog Posts 4/6/14 and 4/13/14.

Reference 1: North Vancouver Heritage Inventory, 1984, available at the North 
                          Vancouver Archives.
Reference 2: North Shore News, "Home and Garden", 'St. Martins Church' by                                  Dorothy Foster, Dec. 4, 1992.                      
Reference 3:  The History of Saint Martin's Church North 
                            Vancouver, Chronological History,St. Martin's Anglican Church, 
                             1985.
Reference 4: 1930 Fire Insurance Map, available at North Vancouver Archives. 
Link 1: http://en.wikipedia

Prayer

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

Anglican Church

                                                                                            September 29, 2013

579 5th Street

Saint John the Divine Anglican Church
Courtenay, B.C. Canada

"St. John The Divine which was built in 1915. This occurred under the direction of the then, Vicar, the Rev. E.P. Laycock, who was a trained architect.

This Church was one of the first churches in British Columbia built on the ancient basilican or apsidal plan, rather than in the shape of a cross, which characterizes the traditional gothic plan. The Church was dedicated by Bishop John Charles Roper. As the community of Courtenay expanded the parish also grew in size. In 1967 the building was enlarged under the inspiration of the Rector at the time, the Rev. W. J. Lunny, who reordered the sanctuary, enlarged the nave, and added a choir gallery. It was during this time of expansion that the stained glass windows were installed.

St. John Stained Glass Window

(Link 1.)

"The windows commemorate the Twelve Apostles in symbolic terms. They remind the congregation that as we worship we are supported and surrounded by the glorious company of God’s Saints in whose victory we are called to share.

Sanctuary and Altar (Google Images)

"On the exterior wall of the Church is a beautiful mosaic of St. John the Divine. The Mosaic itself was inspired by the great mosaics found in Ravenna, Italy and is made up of thousands of tiny pieces of tile which depict our heavenly patron in priestly garments. Over the Apostles’ head is a halo indicating his saintly status and his hand holds the Book of the Revelation which he wrote during his exile on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. Local artists conceived the design and installed the many individual pieces. In the years that followed a number of changes were made also to the interior of the Church.

St. John the Divine Mosaic

St. John the Divine Mosaic

"One of the most significant changes occurred between 1968 and 1981 when Canon Eric Scott was the Rector. During this time a stainless steel cross was added to the east wall of the sanctuary. The facets of the cross, which are grouped in threes, represent the Holy Trinity; catch the reflection of each person who enters the church, drawing them, their concerns, and their surroundings into the symbol of our Saviour’s redeeming sacrifice.

Stainless Steel Cross (Google Images)

"Under the Rev. John Lancaster, who was Rector from 1981 to 2003, the interior was painted with its unique colours reminiscent of Italian frescoes. It was also during this time that a two-manual Rodgers organ was added to support the choir and congregation. During Fr. Lancaster’s ministry an ambry was placed in the sanctuary in order to reserve the sacrament for the sick. The light above the ambry honours our Lord’s sacramental presence among us and invites us to kneel in reverence and prayer." (Link.)

Sanctuary Balcony (Google Images)

********

Photos: Taken in June 2013 by SW.

Link: http://stjohnthedivinecourtenay.bc.anglican.ca/
Reference: The Comox Valley Echo, "50th anniversay of city's only mosaic",
                       Friday, November 16, 2012.

Prayer

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

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