The Church by the Side of  the Road
(REF.)

TOPSAIL UNITED CHURCH

"The Church By The Side Of The Road"

Topsail, Newfoundland

Topsail is located on the east coast of  Newfoundland, south of the city of St. John's.  It is on Conception Bay and  part of the Conception Bay South Community.


The Church by the Side of the Road started in 1837 as a Wesley Methodist Meeting House.  The land was donated by the Butler family and is situated overlooking Conception Bay. A 30 foot by 18 foot building was erected from local timber by the community in 1836.

In 1871 a larger building with 2 rooms was erected to accommodate the growing congregation.  This is when it was named The Church by the Side of the Road.

In 1925 the church joined the United Church of Canada.

In 1977 another new church building was erected.  This larger church contains the original brass bell from the old church.

On 2002 another room was added to the back of the church.  This area includes a kitchen and new offices for the clergy. (Link 1.)

*****

Photo: Copy of photo in Reference book.
Reference: NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, deVisser/Blackwood, 1979. 
                       (Used book bought at the North Vancouver B.C. Restore by Alan
                         Wilson  2017.)
Link 1: http://www.topsailunitedchurch.nf.net/Church%20Services.htm

Prayer

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

1330 Lakeshore Avenue

(Yahoo Images)

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church
Oakland, California

"Part of the Oakland geologic map showing Lake Merritt and surrounding geologic units"

(Link 4.)

"Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, California, just east of Downtown. It is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. It is historically significant as the United States' first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1966." (Link 3.)

"In June, 1984, two churches with long histories in central Oakland, First United Methodist Church, and St. Stephens United Methodist Church, merged to create Lake Merritt United Methodist Church.

"On July 4, 1981, the First United Methodist Church building caught fire for unknown cause, and was mostly destroyed, although some of the contents and stained glass windows were rescued. (The saved figural design stained glass windows are installed in light boxes in the hallway of the lower level of the church. Several of the geometrical design windows are installed in the Administrative Office hallway.)

Tiffany Panel

(Link2.)

" An invitation was extended by the St. Stephens United Methodist to combine the two Methodist churches for worship services and program.

"Soon merger conversations began, making the decision in 1984 to go ahead,...The name, “Lake Merritt United Methodist Church” was selected and the property at 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, on the eastern shore of Lake Merritt was purchased..      

"Architect Terrill Wade, of the firm Gillis, Judson, and Wade, designed the new building... The completed building was Hallowed on March 21, 1991, 

  
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church 
(Yahoo Images)     

"The western main entrance of the building at 1330 Lakeshore Ave., features a colored granite grand staircase. The sanctuary’s floor to ceiling windows frame a beautiful view of the lake and downtown Oakland. The northern wall is nearly completely covered by a triptych of three glass mosaic panels entitled “Te Deum Laudamus” (We Praise You, Lord) constructed under the direction of Louis Comfort Tiffany in about 1920." (Link 1.)


Thank you: To Rob Herrmann, Congregational Administrator, Lake Merritt 
               United Methodist Church
Link 1: http://www.lakemerrittumc.org/default.asp?sec_id=18001594Link 2: http://www.lakemerrittumc.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=180076993&sec_id=180015948

Link 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Merritt
Link 4: http://geology.about.com/library/bl/tours/bloaklandgeo-lake.htm

Prayer

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

                                                                                 3/23/14

North Lonsdale United Church, 1915 
131 East Kings Rd.
(REF 1.)

Posthumous
Bethel Methodist Church/North Lonsdale United Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The 1993 District Heritage Inventory, page 117 (REF 3.)-"1915-Secondary List-This plain and modest church is simply detailed in the Craftsman tradition, with triangular eave brackets, exposed rafter end, and pointed verge-boards. Originally the Bethel Methodist Church, which became part of the United Church of Canada, (1925), it has served Baptist congregations since 1953." 

"By 1915 a small church was built on East King Road, first called Bethel Methodist Church but the name was soon changed to North Lonsdale Methodist.

" A Sunday School was with Mr. E.T. Bailey as superintendent. At the time of organic union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches in 1925, this church became North Lonsdale United, its congregation augmented by those who transferred from St. Stephens Presbyterian. From 1914 to 1919, North Lonsdale was a joint pastoral charge with West Vancouver, from 1919 to 1934, with Lynn Valley, and from 1934 to 1957 with Capilano.

1930 Fire Insurance Map

131 East Kings Road (on south side of street)

"The King’s Road church was bare, with plain wooded chairs for the congregation and a little pump organ. There was a small kitchen at the rear with a stove on which the ladies prepared hearty congregational dinners. This room was used also for meetings, as a Sunday School classroom, and as a dressing-room at Christmas concert time. Until 1948 North Lonsdale Church, received financial assistance from the Board of Home Missions, but from that time it was self-supporting, the minister’s salary and expenses of the manse being shared with Capilano.

"By 1948 it became evident that the little church was no longer adequate, and in 1950 two lots were purchased at the corner of Lonsdale Ave. and Osborne Rd. A building which was to serve eventually as a Christian Education Centre, but was to be used as the church in the meantime, was erected largely by volunteer labour and was dedicated on December 13, 1953." (Link 1.)

1964-131 Kings Rd. became Kingscrest (Kings Road-REF 2.) Baptist Church with renters from First Baptist and One Spirit Mission Church-serving a Korean congregation. (REF.2) and since 2008, the WestCoast Baptist Association.  In 2014 the building was still owned by Kings Road Church.

For more information on WestCoast Baptist Association see Blog Post 5/18/14.
For more information on North Lonsdale United Church see Blog Post 1/23/11.
Link 1: Link 1:http://nluc.org/about-us/history-of-the-church/
Reference 1: The Story of North Lonsdale 1913 to 1990-The Church on the 
                           Hill  is available at the North Vancouver Archives.
Reference 2: 2014 e mail from Janet Campbell, Office Administrator,  
                          WestCoast Baptist Association.
Reference 3: 1993 District Heritage Inventory, North Vancouver.
Reference 4: 1930 Fire Insurance Map available at North Vancouver Archives.

Prayer

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

                                                                                          2/2/14

1343 Lynn Valley Road

(North Vancouver Archives Photo 10680, Link 1.)

Posthumous
Knox Presbyterian Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The origins of Knox Presbyterian Church in North Vancouver were with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church also in North Vancouver in 1906. ( See Blog Post 11/18/12.) "Accordingly, the first General Meeting of the 
Presbyterian congregation took place at the residence of Julius Martin Fromme at what is now 1466 Ross Road in Lynn Valley in the heart of 
Shaketown, on October 20, 1908....Mr. J.M. Fromme gave the site for the building on the condition that the building be erected free of debt. (Link 2.)

"Having worshiped for three years in the Agricultural Hall at Lynn Valley, Presbyterian of that section of North Vancouver are now building themselves a permanent edifice.

"The new church will be erected at the junction of the Lynn Valley and the Center road.  It will seat about 200 and will cost $2000.  It will be of frame construction with plastered interior and wainscotted to the height of the window sills.  The ceiling will be domed, and the windows of stained glass.  It is expected that the building will be completed by the end of September.  the present membership is about thirty..."(REF)

In 1925 the Knox Presbyterian Church joined the United Church of Canada and became Lynn Valley United Church.  The Methodist Church on Institute Road in Lynn Valley (See Blog Post 1/30/11) joined the Lynn Valley United Church as part of this amalgamation. 

In 1959 a new Lynn Valley United Church was built on Mountain Highway. (See Blog Post 2/19/12.) At a Sunday worship service the congregation sung hymns as they marched from the building on Lynn Valley Road to the one on Mountain Highway. *

"The old Knox Presbyterian-United Church on the corner of Draycott and Lynn Valley Road was demolished 62 on January 3, 1967,... The 
basement of the church served as a shop for the sale of plans, seeds and fertilizer. The stolid Manse in the rear of the property became the home of the 
owner of the Nursery (Maple Leaf Garden Centre) which replaced the church on that site." (REF)

("Maple Leaf Garden Centre in North Vancouver is situated in the vibrant family oriented community of Lynn Valley with a view of the often snow covered North Shore Mountains.  The site was once home to the Knox Presbyterian Church and its manse.  In 1971 the Duynstees purchased the property which by then was operating as a small garden centre.  At first the garden centre operated out of the basement of the church.  In 1990-91 the site was completely renovated resulting in a new nursery, glass greenhouse and large store.  Since then Maple Leaf has become a popular destination for gardeners inside and outside the community.") (Link 3.)

*As told to SW.
Reference: The Vancouver Daily Province, "Presbyterian Church at Lynn
              Valley,"August 15, 1910.
Link 1: http://www2.cnv.org:8085/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?
              SystemName=North+Vancouver+Archives&UserName=web
Link 2: http://www.dnv.org/upload/documents/District_History/181818.pdf
Link 3: http://www.mapleleafgardencentre.ca/about/

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                   October 6, 2013

425 St. Georges Avenue

(REF. 1.)

Posthumous
Methodist Church
North Vancouver, B.C.

The first listing of a Methodist Church building in North Vancouver seems to be on page 1263 in Henderson's 1910 City Directory.  The pastor is noted as being Rev. B. H. Balderston and the church as being between 4th and 5th Street. From 1911 to 1914 the pastor is listed as being Rev. W. D. Schlictor.

The actual address of 425 St. Georges is given in the "Our Church-Our Heritage" article on the back page of the Feb. 26, 1978 bulletin of St. Andrew's United Church.

     "The Methodist branch of our congregation held its first services in 
       members' homes and in the Orange Hall (227 Lonsdale Ave.), until a small
       church was built at 425 St. Georges.  This was soon too small for the 
       congregation and the Sixth St. Church (See Blog Post 3/25/12.) was built at
       the S. W. corner of St. Georges Avenue." (REF. 2.)

When comparing the 1930 Fire Insurance map with the 1910 Fire Insurance map the lot that would be 425 St. Georges shows a one story building  that could be the Methodist Church.

By 1915 Henderson's City Directory only lists the North Vancouver Methodist Church on the East 6th Street corner of St. Georges Avenue. The pastor at this new Methodist Church was Rev. H. A. Ireland.

Reference 1: 1910 Fire Insurance Map at North Vancouver Archives.
Reference 2: 1978 St. Andrew's United Church Bulletin.
Reference 3: 1910 Henderson City Directory.

*****

Prayer

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

                                                                                                     December 16, 2012

Mechanics' Hall 
(North Vancouver Archives #13270)

 Posthumous
Moodyville Methodist Church
Moodyville, B.C. Canada

"The Reverend Ebenezer Robson, a Methodist minister...travelled from New Westminster to the inlet in the spring of 1865 to bring the gospel message to the locals.  In his diary for June 19, Robson wrote: 'Rode out to Burrard Inlet, and crossing over in a canoe preached to 15 persons at Moody and Co's mills after supper; good attention and invitation to come again.  Rode back after dark, arriving home about 10 p.m.  this was the first sermon on the inlet.' : (REF 1.)  "...a year later, Catholic missionaries began working among the local Indian people." (REF 2.)

Rev. Ebenezer Robson

(REF 1.)

"Moodyville (at the south end of Moody Avenue, now Moodyville Park), is the oldest settlement on Burrard Inlet,... Logging came to the virgin forests of Douglas Fir in North Vancouver, as sailing ships called in to load. A water-powered sawmill was set up in the 1860s at Moodyville, by Sewell Moody. Subsequently, post offices, schools and a village sprang up." (Link.)  "1901 the Moodyville  Sawmill closes....1915 Moodyville is incorporated into the City of North Vancouver.... 1916 The abandoned Moodyville sawmill is destroyed by fire." (REF 3.)

"The Methodist Church did not construct a building, but conducted worship services at Moodyville in the cookhouse, schoolhouse and the Mechanics Institute Hall." (REF 4.) (See Map  below.) 

Early Moodyville
(Note: School on left, Cookhouse on right.
The Mill is at the bottom. REF 8.)

"Article 10 of the Bylaws and Constitution of the Mechanics Institute, founded in 1869, provides for the room to be at the disposal of preachers of the Gospel of all denominations, for holding Divine Service, free of charge." (REF 7.)  "...in the school house I saw hymn books of the Methodist Church.  Sunday School was held frequently and at times church services for the elders." (REF 5.) "The community centre of Moodyville was the "Mechanics' Institute", a two-story building.  Upstairs was the Masonic Hall ...In the hall was an organ which was taken downstairs on special occasions....The "Institute", complete with the organ of the Masonic Lodge was regularly used for worship whenever a minister of any denomination came." (REF 6.) Building a separate church was considered at an Institute meeting in 1880, but "the proposal was finally withdrawn..." (Map.)

Photos: Mechanic's Institute-Copied and Photoshopped, North Vancouver
                          Archives. Rev. Ebenezer Robson-Copied from REF 1. and Photo-
                          shopped.  
Map-North Vancouver Archives #225, "Sketch of Moodyville Sawmill Site",
                         Rodgers Burns.  School and Cookhouse colored 
                          pink by SW.

Reference 1. The Pioneer Years 1774-1886, 
                          by Derek Patrick.

Reference 2. Reflections, by Chuck Davis.
Reference 3. City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994
Reference 4. A History of the City and District of North Vancouver, 
                          Woodward-Reynolds.
Reference 5. North Vancouver 1891-1907, John Rodger Burns.
Reference 6. The Early Story of North Vancouver, p. 11, Rev. William Stott.
Reference 7. Minute Book of the Mechanics' Institute, property of the
                          Vancouver Public Library.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Vancouver_(city)

Prayer

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

Give strength to the grieving family in Newtown Connecticut.

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/

HAPPY

100th

BIRTHDAY

Dear Sid,

Happy 100th birthday!  What a wonderful celebration for you, your family, and 100 years of friends.

We all thank God for those 100 years.  And we thank you for your friendship, guidance, and spiritual mentoring during the years we have been privileged to know you.

For me it began when you moved to Bay View and Trinity Methodist Church.  Your daughter became my dear friend and you were my MYF leader. Whenever we met since, your friendship and spiritual mentoring has continued.   Thank you for both.

Happy 100th birthday,

Suzanne (Frank) Wilson-Alan sends his congratulations, too.

Photo: Taken at Bay View United Methodist Church in 2006 by SW.

Note: For further congratulations see

            Blog http://www.churchesonsundays.blogspot.com/ post July 3, 2011.

*********

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                    1/30/11

Posthumous

Lynn Valley Methodist Church

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The Lynn Valley Methodist church was built in 1912 at 260 Institute Road. (REF 1 and 3.) It was on the west side of Institute Road, across the lane from Lynn Valley Elementary School. In 1927 St. Clement's Anglican Church was moved to 120 Institute Road (REF 1.) It was on the east side of Institute Road and was known as "St. Clements-by-the-brook". (REF 7.) On today's maps the site of the Methodist Church would be across the street from what is now the house at 3284 Institute Road.(REF 4.)

Lynn Valley Methodist Church was originally only one floor. Then a basement was built under it to make two functioning  floors. "The bottom floor was immediately put into use as a child/daycare centre." (REF 2.) This church is seen in the photo above. "It features triangular eaves, brackets, and unusual alternating vertical and horizontal wood siding". (REF 2.) The windows along the sides and in triplicate on either side of the entrance to the upper level were and of a Gothic type. The double set of steps leading to the upper level were a stylized feature.


In 1925 the Congregational, most Presbyterian, and the Methodist Churches in Canada united to become the United Church of Canada. At this time the Knox Presbyterian Church on Lynn Valley Road became the Lynn Valley United Church. The Lynn Valley Methodist Church congregation joined with and moved to the new Lynn Valley United Church. The Lynn Valley Methodist Church building was then used by Lynn Valley Elementary School as a gym. On the 1930 Fire Insurance Map the building is labeled as having Manual Training in the basement.

1930 Fire Insurance Map

From 1945 to 1962 the lower floor of the old Methodist Church was the home of Lynn Valley Parent Participation Playschool. When the top part was moved across Mountain Highway, "The lower 1/2 of the building became a Metal Arts School and was eventually demolished."(REF 5.) It was used as "...the manual arts branch of Queen Mary School teaching local students carpentry and house building."(REF 2.) It was also used as a community center. (REF 3.)

In 1962, according to the October 11, 1962 Citizen newspaper, the Lynn Valley Arts Guild purchased the old Methodist Church Building from the School Board for $50. And According to Clare Lakes' "History of LVPPP" it was the top half of the building that was purchased and they "...moved it across the playing field to the west side of Mt. Highway..." The Citizen said further that "to move the top floor of the church to 3355 Mountain Highway cost about $1000." The actual move took place in the spring of 1963.

In 2004 new playground equipment was donated by Home Depot for the north east corner of the new Lynn Valley Elementary School grounds. Charis Kalesnikoff, the school principal, said that when the workers were digging to install the equipment, hunks of concrete were uncovered. She wondered if these were remnants of the old Methodist Church.

RNB Dance and Theatre Arts Building 2011

The top floor of the old Lynn Valley Methodist Church remains part of the RNB Dance and Theatre Arts building at 3355 Mountain Highway. If you look on the back of the building you can still see the outline of the original church windows that lined the sides of the 1912 church.  The peaked roof and what seem to be the original top and size braces to the roof are also evident.

Demolition: Bottom half of the Lynn Valley Methodist Church, in 1963.

Available at the North Vancouver Archives

Reference 1: 1930 Fire Insurance Map.

Reference 2: 1988 District of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory.

Reference 3: 1993 District of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory.

Reference 4: #275 North Vancouver Archives Map.

Reference 5: Clare Lakes' "History of Lynn Valley Parent Participation

Preschool".

Reference 6: October 11, 1962 "Citizen" newspaper.

Reference 7: 1005 "Sacred Sites Tour Booklet," article by Kathleen Larsen.

Photo: North Vancouver Archives Photo(26-19B-1-Draycott Fons 26, taken ca. 1920.) Photo of northern part of RNB Dance and Theater Arts (the studio area) taken in 2011 by SW.

****************

Prayer

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