Valhalla Lutheran Church 

(Google Images)

Valhalla Lutheran Church
Valhalla Centre
Hythe, Alberta Canada

"Located approximately 60 km north-west of Grande Prairie, Alberta is the Hamlet of Valhalla Centre at the crossroads of Highway 59 and 723. 14 km west of La Glace. The population is 45 people (2011 stats) living in 19 dwellings." (Link 1.)

"In 1912, Halvar Ronning and the first members of his pioneering party filed on homesteads at this location. Subsequently, group after group of pioneers trekked the arduous Edson Trail to join the fledgling settlement, which would come to be known as “Valhalla”. Establishing a Lutheran parish was an integral part of Revered Ronning’s vision, and even before a single house was constructed, he began holding services in his tent. (Link 2.)

"Valhalla Centre got its name from Reverend Halvar N. Ronning.  Valhalla means "home of the gods" in Norwegian.  In Norse Mythology, Valhalla is the home of Viking Heroes after death." (Link 1.)

"By 1926, the settlers had prospered enough to hire Anton Finden, a pioneer carpenter from Norway, to build this church, a grand testament to the principles upon which their thriving little community was built." (Link 2.) 

"Valhalla Centre was known for the Valhalla Cooperative Creamery.  Homesteaders sold their cream to the creamery which made it into butter.  The butter was then chipped by train to Edmonton.  Because the Creamery did so well it attracted other businesses and the hamlet grow.  In 1945 the creamery was sold to the Grande Prairie creamery.  (Link 1.)

"Valhalla Lutheran Church

Nga Lam Artist

Valhalla Heritage Society" *

Thank you: *To Marilyn Sharples for sending me a card with a drawing of 
                        Valhalla Lutheran Church where she attended as a child.
Link 1: 
http://www.discoverthepeacecountry.com/htmlpages/valhallacentre.html
Link 2: http://www.geotourismcanada.com/documents/693.aspx

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                                 May 25, 2014

111 Gladwin Drive

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Gloria Dei is a Latin phrase meaning "Glory of God."  This title was chosen when the parish was established at Highland's Elementary School in North Vancouver.  The first Sunday worship service and Sunday School was held in May 1961.  In May of 1962 the congregation had a sod turning ceremony  at their new site just above the Upper Levels Highway at Lloyd Avenue.  The completed church opened later in that year.

Sod Turning-May, 1962
(REF. 2.)

The church was a single building with a steep pitched roof. The entrance doors were on Gladwin Drive with a hall running along the west side of the sanctuary. The entrance to the Sanctuary was off this hall at its south end.

Copy of photo of 1962 Church
(REF. 2.)

On the south wall of the sanctuary there was a floor to ceiling colored glass cross. (See below.)

2014 photo of south wall of 1962 Church

On the north wall of the Sanctuary there was a triangular panel with colored glass outlines of clear glass that allow for a view of the north shore forest. (See photo below.)

2014 photo of North Wall of 1961 Church

The 1962 church with its colored glass cross and triangle panel is now used as a Parish Hall.  

2014 Photo of 1961 Church

The church pipe organ was dedicated in 1985 and used in the original 1962 building.  It was moved into the new Sanctuary when it was built in 1992.

The 1985 Pipe Organ

(Photo of a painting.)

(REF 2.)

In 1992 an addition was built on to the 1962 church.  The construction on the west side of the 1962 church included a Sanctuary with a flat roofed wing of church offices, meeting rooms, an education wing, and a courtyard joining the two peaked roof buildings. Carved front doors, stained glass windows, yellow cedar furnishings, and an aggregate stone floor from the Chilliwack River celebrate the local area. (REF. 1.) (See doors  in photo below and in the right of the top photo.)  The entrance to the 1992 Sanctuary is on the east wall through the hallway.

Sketch of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
(Note 1962 Sanctuary and Hall on right, 
1992 flat roofed education, office, and courtyard wing in the center,
and new 1992 Sanctuary on the left.) (REF. 1.)

Front Doors on Gladwin Drive Entrance

"Guardian Angels grace the main doors of Gloria Dei. The archangel Michael is the image of God's power to destroy evil and bring justice. The archangel Gabriel sounds the last trumpet when God's reign is fulfilled and all creation restored." (Link.)

Sanctuary

"The font is built with eight sides, depicting the eight days of creation.  The "fingerprints" of God, moulding and shaping the baptized, are evident in the sides of the font." (REF. 1.)

Sanctuary

(Note 1985 pipe organ on right side.)

"The window in the north wall, near the organ, is the earth window. It represents the earth and the earth's place in the universe and in the mind of God. Its diverse colors and shapes interplay with the light bringing us a near living form with which to interact day by day and season by season." (Link.)

Water Window

Stained glass window-west wall of the Sanctuary

"The window in the west wall represents wind.  In both biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek, the word for wind is the same word used for spirit.  In the first creation story God's spirit blows across the ancient waters bringing forth life just as in the Pentecost story, the spirit of God blows over the early church bringing it to life.  In this window the Spirit fills the sail of the church represented as a sailing ship moving it in mission and ministry." (Link.)

Stained Glass Window on the south wall of the Sanctuary

Fire Window

Stained Glass Window on east wall of Sanctuary

(above courtyard)

"The east window over the church entrance represents fire. God first appears to Israel's leader, Moses, in the fire of a burning bush that is not consumed. The coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christian community in Jerusalem after the ascension of the risen Christ is accompanied by a vision, "Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them" [Action 2:3]. Each time we leave worship we are reminded of the energy and power of fire." (Link.)

Center Courtyard

"The courtyard is a memorial garden....  The memorial garden will serve as a place for remembrance as well as a place for meditation and prayer. (REF. 1.)

Thank you: To Shelley Meglaughlin Office Administrator.

Photos: Colored-taken in April 2014 by SW.  
Reference 1: About the Chancel, single sheet pamphlet.
Reference 2: From Historical Document Binder, in church library.
Link: http://www.gloriadei.ca/

                     *******  

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                             May 4, 2014

42695 Washington Street

St. John's Lutheran Church
Palm Desert, California

"Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately 14 miles (23 km) east of Palm Springs and 122 miles (196 km) east of Los Angeles....A major center of growth in the Palm Springs area, Palm Desert is a popular retreat for "snowbirds" from colder climates (the Eastern and Northern United States, and Canada), who swell its population by an estimated 31,000 each winter." (Link 2)

Stand alone steeple to St. John's

"On January 13, 1963 St. John's held its first worship service in the recreation center of Palm Desert Country Club.  On July 18, 1963, St. John's was formally organized with 30 charter members.  Ground breaking services were held on Washington Street on November 24, 1963, on a site purchased by the "American Lutheran Church Board of Missions.  On February 9, 1964, a cornerstone laying ceremony was held." (REF.) Distinctive features of the church's exterior are the front cantilevered roof and the tall pyramidal free standing steeple topped by a simple cross. The steeple is called the "Symbol of Faith Tower". (REF.)

Entrance to Sanctuary

The entrance to the sanctuary is on the side of the building.  The doors are framed with rectangles of colored glass: red, green, yellow, clear, and opaque. 

The window above the double doors features a red glass rectangular outline of a cross. 

Stained glass windows at entrance to the Sanctuary

The sanctuary was built with blond laminated beams typical of the 1960's. It originally seated 175, but with expansion now seats 235. (REF.) The tall rectangular side windows reflect their colors of green, yellow, and red in the pale wood surface.  Dark wood ceiling rafters are also exposed.  However, when air conditioning was installed it necessitated an enclosing rectangular white box to be mounted most of the length of the center of the ceiling.

The cross above the altar is lit to give a double shadow.  It, therefore, presents not one, but a trinity of crosses for meditation. (Note photo below.)

Sanctuary

At the rear of the Sanctuary is a step-up balcony and the entrance to the Ministry Center.  The Ministry Center, built in 2012, includes meeting rooms and offices for the church staff.

Step-up balcony at rear of Sanctuary

The Fellowship Hall was a separate building behind the Sanctuary that was added to the property in 1994.  The Ministry Center now connects the Fellowship Hall to the Sanctuary. 

Portico to Fellowship Hall


Ministry Center

Visitors are welcome to the two worship services  held on Sunday mornings: traditional worship at 9:00 am and praise worship at 11:00 am.  

Photos: Taken in February 2014 by SW.

Reference: St. John's Cookbook donated by visitor from North Vancouver B.C.,

               Barbara Mayer.

Link 1: http://stjohnslutheranchurchpd.com/

Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Desert,_California

*****

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                               April 20, 2014

81-500 Miles Ave. at Clinton Ave.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Indio, California

"Trinity Lutheran Church in Indio had its beginnings in January 1940, when services were held in the Woman's Club of Coachella...(In 1949) the property at the corner of Park and Requa Street Indio was purchased, and a World War II Army Hospital and Barracks unit was moved to the new church site....the two units ... were converted into a sanctuary and parsonage.  Church Church was dedicated on October 19, 1948....

"Formal organization of the Church took place on May 12, 1949.... In July 1960 the original buildings were sold to the First Methodist Church, and the congregation purchased the property at  Miles and Clinton Streets, where the church is now located.

Construction of church on Miles and Clinton, 1949

"A parsonage, sanctuary, and education building were erected at a cost of $100,000.  Many hours of volunteer made this possible.  Our present church facility was dedicated on Sunday, October 8, 1961.

Sanctuary entrance

Window above Sanctuary entrance doors

"Trinity's sanctuary has several unique architectural elements which make it an Indio landmark.  The elegant arc of the soaring a-frame is detailed with stained glass panels and culminates with a cross at its pinnacle.  The one of a kind rock chinking was painstakingly cut by hand and individually placed. The diamond shaped windows had to be completely redone because the manufacturer made them all the same size-in reality the windows grow in size as they march toward to front of the chancel....

Sanctuary

"The use of natural stone, wood, sky blue beams and altar backdrop, as well as strategically placed windows contribute to the light, airy feeling of the interior. making it a house of light and life.

 "The original pews, still in use today were purchased by families or individual members.  the decorative wrought iron Trinity symbol which graces the altar and communion railings were crafted and donated by congregation member Clarence Moe. (As was the hammered bronze altar cross.)" (REF.)

                                       Trinity Lutheran Child Development Center

The Lutheran Child Development Center (a preschool/daycare center) adjacent to the church  was constructed by "the Laborers for Christ and Church member volunteers.  The 7,000 square foot building was completed in the fall of 1989." (REF.)

Photos: Taken in February 2014 by SW.

Reference: Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 50th 

                       Anniversary, 1949-1999.

Link: http://www.trinityindio.org/

*****

Prayer

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

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

349 North Main Street

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Seymour, Wisconsin

Emmanual Lutheran Church at 349 North Main Street in Seymour, Wisconsin was built in 1915. The red brick building with white Bedford stone trim around the trinity front doors features double square steeples with stained glass windows. The larger of the steeples contains a bell tower and clocks on each of its sides. A trinity stained glass window is above the front doors. The sides of the church also feature trinity stained glass windows. The church is on the corner of North Main Street and County Road G. If you travel further down North Main Street you come to the Outagamie Fair Grounds.

Sanctuary (Link 3.)

Deanna and Jay DeBruin are currently (2010) working on the history of Emmanual Lutheran Church. Here are some of the highlights from the Lutheran Standard of March 4, 1939. Rev. Frederick H. Ohlrogge was minister during the erection of the $30,000 church that was dedicated on Jan. 9, 1916. The debt was paid off in five years. The church is 110 feet long and 45 feet wide. The tallest of the square towers is 75 feet high. The front doors are of heavy oak. The Gothic design of the interior features a wooden altar in a large semicircular niche twenty feet wide. A life sized figure of the Lord with arms outstretched stands in the center of the altar and in the lower part a plaque of the Last Supper. The organ is in the rear balcony that seats 100. The main floor seats about 500. Cark Reiman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a member of the Stained Glass Association of America 1912-1923 was the designer of the interior and the Neo-Gothic stained glass windows.

Note: Emmanual Lutheran was the church of Marie Juergenmeyer, Seymour Wisconsin, grandmother of Suzanne Marie Wilson, North Vancouver B.C., and great-great grandmother of Holly Marie Misner, Spokane Washington.

Suzanne remembers attending the church with her grandmother when she was a young child in the 1940's . It was there she learned the Apostle's Creed. The minister at that time was Rev. Theo Ohlrogge.

Note: See Blog  Demolition Mama, Post-February 20, 2010  for more about Seymour, Wisconsin.

Thank you: To Seymour Wisconsin residents: Deanna and Jay DeBruin, Ellen Piehl, and Mark Ellis.

Photo: Taken in 2006 by SW.

Link 1: http://seymourwi.com/
Link 2: https://seymourfaith.ctsmemberconnect.net/home-ctrl.do?view=0&grpId=35013
Link 3: https://seymourfaith.ctsmemberconnect.net/home-ctrl.do

Prayer

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

                                                                                                         March 25, 2012

Sixth Street Methodist Church, 1910*
South West Corner of St. Georges Avenue

Posthumous

Sixth Street Methodist Church/ St. Andrew's United Church/North Shore Lutheran Church

North Vancouver, B.C.


Sixth Street Methodist Church was built in 1910 on the south west corner of St. Georges Avenue. The 1910 Fire Insurance Map describes the building as being "22' to the Eaves" and "37' to the Ridge".  The January 1910 Express North Vancouver newspaper described the opening festivities.


                  "The opening services in connection with the new Methodist
                    church, corner St. George and 6 th Street, were held on 
                    Sunday morning, afternoon and evening...The morning
                    theme was "Christ in the 'Treasury'...The evening theme
                    was "The Church of Christ, Her Message and Her Mission."


In 1922 the church was damaged by fire and a building permit for $750 was applied for to repair the damage. (Building Permit at the North Vancouver Archives.) In 1926 it joined  St. Andrew's Presbyterian  to form St. Andrew's United Church.  At the time of the union Sixth Street Methodist had a membership of 140, a Sunday School membership of  134  and the value of its property was  $7,050 (including value of parsonage). The Sixth Street Methodist Church building was referred to in the 1926 City Directory as the Sixth Street United Church.  In 1928 the Sixth Street Hall  (167 East 6th Street) underwent alterations. In 1930 the City Directory calls it "St. Andrew's Church (Gym) Hall". (Link 1 and City Directories.)

Sixth Street Methodist

(1910 Fire Insurance Map)

"In the 1940’s the American Lutheran Church’s (ALC) presence on the North Shore began with North Shore Lutheran Church at 167 East 6th Street, North Vancouver, BC. (The 1944 City Directory lists it as "United Church Hall".  The 1945 City Directory lists it as "North Shore Lutheran Church.) The first pastor, Rev. Arne A. Berstad, was installed February 24, 1952 and served until October 9, 1955. The 1956 address was listed in the City Directory as 177 East 6th Street.  After a two-year hiatus, a new mission congregation of the (then) American Lutheran Church was formed. In 1955 the Home Mission Board of the ELC (Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Canadian arm of ALC) made a decision to relocated to the growing subdivision being developed in Westlynn Park. (By this time 167 East 6th Street was part of the area surrounding the Victoria Park boulevard in the City of North Vancouver that was designated for building of apartments.) Mount Olivet was established at its present site on Mountain Highway. On February 12, 1956, Rev. L. Tom Nilson held the first worship service." (Link 2.)

Photo: *From Pamphlet "St. Andrew's United Church, 1925-1975" available at

              the North Vancouver Archives.

Reference 1: 1910 Fire Insurance Map
Reference 2: History of St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, 

                 pages 1-15 out of 23, given to SW January 2013 by Angela Edmonds.

Link 1: http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1662400960793045964&postID=7567854903592778122 
Link 2: http://www.mtolivet.ca/

                                                                                                       March 18, 2012

                                          137 West 6th Street                                           

  Front of St. Mark's Lutheran Church

                                                             (Architectural Plans)

Posthumous
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
North Vancouver, B.C.


"In the Beginning: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (LCC)
In reviewing Lutheranism on the North Shore we think of two synods – The American Lutheran Church (ALC) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). These synods are known today as Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Lutheran Church Canada (LCC)

West Side of St. Mark's Lutheran Church
(Architectural Plans)

"The Reverend Fred T. Gabert, historian, notes “that a canvass in the spring of 1934 resulted with the first service being held on June, 1934, by Rev. O.A. Schedler, Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vancouver, BC in the Knights of Pythias Hall on 4th Street and Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, with 26 in attendance." (Link.) 

In 1947 the congregation moved their services to a hall on the second floor of the Masonic Temple at 1140/1144 Lonsdale Ave.    The 1965 Fire Insurance Map at the North Vancouver Archives  labels the northern hall in the Masonic Temple as "Gospel Hall".  There they worshiped surrounded by framed photos of Eastern Star matrons, hanging on the walls. (Herb Shopp)

Sanctuary St. Mark's Lutheran Church

                                                          (Architectural Plans)

 St. Mark's Lutheran Church at its opening 1955

In 1955 the congregation of St. Mark's Lutheran  participated in the building of a new church at 137 West 6th Street.  Herb Schopp made the altar, pulpit, and the communion rail in the sanctuary.  The pulpit was to the right of the chancel. At the back of the sanctuary were steps leading up to a small balcony. Laminated beams supported the roof. (See photos below.) 

Altar and Communion Rail made by Herb Schopp

Sanctuary-note laminated beams
and pulpit to the right of chancel

The organ bought by Herb Shopp from St. Andrew's and St. Stephens Presbyterian Church in 1956/7 for $50 was installed in the new church.  It was used for five years.

Rear of Sanctuary-note steps to balcony

Herb's wife, Connie, also had a long history with St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Her family with five children attended services there.   All the children were baptized there, went to Sunday School and Vacation Bible Study, and were confirmed there.  The Pastor was Clifford Guebert when Connie was confirmed.

Sanctuary

The mosaic above the front doors of the church were made by the Sunday School classes. (See photo below.)

Mosaic and Front Doors

St. Mark's Lutheran Church was built at 137 West 6th Street in 1955.  This area surrounding the Victoria Park boulevard in the City of North Vancouver was later designate for apartment buildings.  The church was sold in 1969.  

1960 Fire Insurance Map

"Temporary services were conducted at Eastview School, North Vancouver. While St. Mark’s was searching for suitable property to relocate, Mount Olivet invited them to conduct their worship at the latter’s new premise. This was accepted and on January 1, 1970, St. Mark’s moved to Mount Olivet" (Lutheran Church at 1700 Mountain Highway in North Vancouver District.) (Link.)

Thank you: To Herb and Connie Schopp for the photos of St. Mark's and  the
                 related information. Herb and Connie Schopp are now members of
                 the congregation at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
Photos: Architectural plans and copies of church photos by Herb and Connie
                 Schopp are available at the North Vancouver Archives
Reference 1: 1960 Fire Insurance Map
Reference 2: Blog Post "Mount Olivet Lutheran Church",  3/27/11.
Reference 3: Blog Post "St. Andrew's and St. Stephens Presbyterian Church",
                 June 16, 2013.
Link: http://www.mtolivet.ca/

Prayer

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