April, 1, 2012

                   

Westlynn Baptist Church
1341 East 27 th Street (2012)

Westlynn Baptist Church

North Vancouver, B.C.


According to congregation member Sharon Watson Westlynn Baptist Church at was built at 1341 East 27th Avenue in 1963.  Both the City Directories and  the Archive's 1965 Fire Insurance Map confirms that the building was there in 1965. 

1965 Fire Insurance Map

The 1963 church consisted of a sanctuary building on the east side and perpendicular to that a building housing the Sunday School and kitchen.  The east side sanctuary with its red roof can be seen in the photo below.  

Note red roofed building on the left that was the 

original 1965 sanctuary.

The roof of the old sanctuary was constructed with five laminated wooden beams.  It is presently used for Sunday School and the Fellowship Hall.  A kitchen runs along the south end.  

Laminated wooden beams of the old sanctuary

Westlynn Baptist Church started out in the 1950's on East Kings Road in the City of North Vancouver as a Southern Baptist Church. (See Blog Post Jan. 23. 2012 for a description and photos of this church.) This church sponsored the Lynn Valley congregation in the District of North Vancouver.  This congregation first met in the old Community Center on Mountain Highway, then in the old United Methodist Church near the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway ( See Blog Post Feb. 19, 2012.) before building  the 1963 Westlynn Baptist Church.  In 1968 the congregations from East Kings Road and from Westlynn Baptist church joined to form one church.  

Sanctuary 2012

The sanctuary of Westlynn Baptist Church features the Baptismal Font (in blue on the left side of the Chancel) for the traditional ceremony of Baptism by Immersion.  The Sunday worship service is attended by approximately 80 members of the congregation and is celebrated with contemporary music. 

Stained Glass Window at  Rear of Sanctuary, 2012

Thank you: To Pastor Don Springer and  congregation members Sharon Watson, John North and Frank Stirk for history of West Kings Road Baptist Church, the old Lynn Valley Recreation Center and the building of the original Westlynn Baptist Church in 1963 and the new sanctuary in 1986.
Photos: Taken in 2012 by SW.

Link 1: http://www.westlynn.bc.ca/
Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptismal_font

                                                                                                                                  4/10/11

1890 Deep Cove Road

Posthumous
Deep Cove United Church
Deep Cove, North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The history of Deep Cove United Church was reported in the August 16, 1987 North Shore News,  "Church in Transition" and the Deep Cove Heritage Society pamphlet,  "Deep Cove United Church 1937-1976".

"The United Church began in Deep Cove in 1937 when a young bride by the name of Doris Smith and her husband moved to Deep Cove. She started a Sunday School on Main Street (...in the Dance Pavilion...) and a student minister, R. M. Warne, held church services.

"After a period of time, the school and services moved to the Legion Hall (...at the corner of Caledonia and Gallant)...Both the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches also held services at the community hall during the same period.

"In 1943 services were moved to the fire hall, which later became the community hall. The Rev. Cameron served as the first full-time minister from 1942 to 1947. Eighteen ministers in all have served the church over its first 50 year period.  The little white church at 1890 Deep Cove Road has been home to a church community of approximately 150 families since a dedication of the church was conducted by Rev. H. Vessey, May 25, 1952.

                     The original corner stone of the Deep Cove United Church

"...the church congregation closed the last day of service July 26 (1987) with a celebration and re-dedication.  The congregation has moved to a temporary location at 971 Berkley Rd.  Plans are underway to construct a new church at the ecumenical centre planned, by the District of North Vancouver in conjunction with the Parkgate Centre, for the corner of Mount Seymour Parkway and Indian River Road."

The church actually moved to 1200 Parkgate Ave. and became Mount Seymour United Church.  It opened its doors April 30, 1989. 

North facing original window

Beamed ceiling of original sanctuary

Original sanctuary pew

(Made by  congregation member Gustave Muri, 

as told to SW by his daughter 4/2015.)

Today the original church building on Deep Cove Road is "My Little School" Montessori School offering full time daycare and out of school care.  Some of the features of the original United Church can still be seen: the original corner stone, the large north facing window, the beamed ceiling of the sanctuary, and two of the original pews.

The original wooden cross from the  was refinished by James Fulton and put up for a Lenten service in 2005 in the Sanctuary at Mount Seymour United Church. (See Blog Post 8/17/14.)   As the story goes, after Lent Dermott McInnes said, "It looks good" and so it stayed."(REFS. d.)



Note: For more information on Deep Cove see April 3, 2011 Blog Post.

Photos: Taken at My Little School in March 2011 by Suzanne Wilson.
Reference 1: North Shore News, August 16, 1987, "Church in Transition".
Reference 2: Deep Cover Heritage Society pamphlet, "Deep Cove United Church
                        1937-1976".
References: Received from Mount Seymour United Church files:
                                   a."Seymour Heights United Church-Service of Dedication- 
                                                         Sunday, September 13th, 1959."
                                    b."History of Seymour Heights/Mount Seymour 
                                                         United Church"
                                    c."Mount Seymour United Church, North Vancouver, B.C. 
                                                         10th Anniversary Sunday, April 18, 1999"
                                    d."Mount Seymour United Church 25th Anniversary
                                                         Celebration May 4, 2014 From 1989: To 2014

(Note: These references are on file at the North Vancouver Archives.)

                                                                                                                      4/3/11

1384 Deep Cove Road

Posthumous

St. Clare-in-the-Cove/St. Simon's Anglican Church
Deep Cove, North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"Deep Cove refers to both the community in the eastern most part of the District of North Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada, and also the geographic name of the small bay beside the town. It is affectionately referred to as "The Cove" by local residents. Located at the foot of Mount Seymour, Deep Cove faces due east, fronting onto Indian Arm, a branch of the Burrard Inlet.

                                                       Panorama Park, Deep Cove

"Deep Cove became a popular summer resort for Vancouver residents in the 1910s, with cabins, logging and granite quarrying featuring in the local history. For many years, the focal point of the community included a yacht club, dance hall and general store.

"The population slowly grew in the 1960s and 1970s, when access to the area improved following the completion of the Second Narrows Bridge to Vancouver in 1960. However, Deep Cove held on to its rural feel, and a large, open horse paddock sat adjacent to Gallant Avenue (the main street) in this period. Today, the Cove remains a popular attraction in the District..." (See Link 1.)

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

"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.

 "St. Clare-in-the-Cove is now the official name of the Anglican Church of Canada parish in the Deep Cove neighbourhood at the eastern end of North Vancouver.


"The Rev. Carla McGhie, priest in charge of St. Clare-in-the-Cove, said her parish explored the possibility of a more descriptive name, and many suggestions were advanced. However none felt right, she said.

                                                     St. Clare-in-the-Cove, Sanctuary

"In consultation with the Diocesan Ministry and Congregational Development Committee, Bishop Michael Ingham approved the name change... The parish is now named after St. Clare of Assisi (1193-1253), who with the assistance of fellow Assisian St. Francis founded an order of nuns which came to be known as the “Poor Clares.

"The 58-year-old parish decided on the name after a retreat in April, and decided to take the name because it valued “Clare’s utter and joyful identification with the poor and needy; her dedication to the contemplative life; her capacities for friendship and relationality as shown in her ardent friendship with St Francis.”

“By selecting a saint’s name we made the clear statement we would like to have a name that links us specifically with our Christian heritage and tradition.”

"The place name, “in-the-Cove” was included to affirm that the church values its location. “It’s such a special and incredibly beautiful setting.

                                                  The Labyrinth (See Link 3.)

"In our own parish visioning we give high priority to living in meaningful community,” said McGhie, “offering service and care to those in need, developing as a strong spiritual center, and being creative and innovative within our time.” (See Link 2.) The Labyrinth reaches out to members of the surrounding community. (See Link 3.)

Note: Suzanne Wilson attended the 11:30 am Sunday Service March 27th, 2011.  The intimate congregation of 20, including 4 children met on the semi circle of chairs at the front of the narthex. Some chair backs were draped with liturgical purple fabric. The cross was draped for the Lenten season. The service led by the Rev. McGhie was reverently casual with joyous hymn singing. Everyone entering in the easy discussion which was part of the sermon based on the day's scripture led by the Rev. McGhie seated as part of the congregation. To receive communion the congregation formed a circle around the altar, joining hands for the final prayer. Thank you to the Rev. McGhie and the congregation of St. Clara-in-the-Cove for this inspiring worship experience.  God bless them all.

Note: For Sale sign observed by SW October 2012.
             As of February 2014 bought by The Bridge (See Blog Post 3/17/13.) for 
             office space at this time.

Photos: Taken of St. Clare-in-the-Cove and Panorama Park taken March 2011 
                 and June 2014. 
                by  Suzanne Wilson
Reference: Echoes Across the Inlet, page 116.
Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Cove,_North_Vancouver
Link 2: http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/News/tabid/27/Mode/ViewArticle/ArticleId/485/Default.aspx
Link 3: http://www.stclareinthecove.org/Welcome.html

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                      March 27, 2011

1700 Mountain Highway

South entrance

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

North Vancouver, B.C.  Canada

Mount Olivet, or the Mount of Olives, "is a mountain ridge in eastern Jerusalem... (and) is named for the olive groves that covers its slopes.  At the foot of the Mount of Olives lies the Garden of Gethsemane ." It is the place where Jesus ascended into heaven ( Acts 1:9–12) and where it is believed that Jesus will return to earth. (See Link 1.)

The Lutheran church at 17oo Mountain Highway, North Vancouver, B.C is named for that spiritual spot.  It is named Mount Olivet Lutheran Church. The name of the church is depicted by a carving hanging on the narthex wall and repeated in the frosted glass on the doors to the sanctuary. (See Reference and photo below.)

The origins of the present Mount Olivet Lutheran Church congregation are a combination of two former congregations.  One was that of the 1940's North Shore Lutheran Church at 167 East 6th Street in North Vancouver. (See Blog Post 3/25/12.) 

North Shore Lutheran Church

167 East 6th STreet

 This church closed in 1954 and two years later a new mission congregation was formed as Mount Olivet Lutheran Church on Mountain Highway.  First services were conducted in the Lynn Valley Theatre and then in the new parsonage on east 18th Street until the church was built and dedicated on Oct. 21, 1956. (See REF.)

1956-Ed Hoffman and gang 

(REF. 2.)

View of original 1956 building

(Taken by SW 2011.)

The 1956 Mount Olivet Lutheran Church at 1700 Mount Seymour Highway was a two floors brick building with the entrance on Mount Seymour Highway.  The Sunday School was held on the first floor, and a bright sunny Sanctuary with the altar on the south wall on the second floor.  

October 1965 Worship Service in new Sanctuary

(Note dark wood ceiling beams.) (REF. 2.)

1956 Christmas in Sanctuary

(Note clear glass windows.) (REF. 2.)

The other congregation to join Mount Olivet Lutheran Church was  from St. Mark's Lutheran Church built in 1955 at 137 West 6th Street in North Vancouver, "half a block off Lonsdale". (See Blog Post 3/18/12.)

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

137 West 6th Street

 In 1969 this property was sold and the congregation eventually conducted temporary services at Eastview School.  They were then invited in 1970  by Mount Olivet to hold their services at their new church on Mountain Highway. (See REF.)

Although using the same church building the two congregations maintained their independence in organization and worship until 1974 when they became the Mount Olivet Lutheran Federated Parish. In 2002 they dissolved the Federation Agreement and became the ELCIC parish of Mt. Olivet Lutheran. (See REF.)

Front left window

In 1979, a new sanctuary was built on the east side of the 1956 building. The first floor of the 1956 building became the Narthex.  The second floor was divided into smaler rooms and became the Sunday School and Daycare area.

"The stained glass windows were crafted by Paul Kenney and dedicated in 1980, in memory of Jean Williams.  They were a gift from her family, relatives, friends and congregation...the nine windows depict the major festivals of the church year...At the front, left, is another stained glass window also depicting mountains and color symbolism, a memorial to Melita Fromson, added in 2000 by Bill Fromson." (See REF page 13.)

Side major festival windows

"In 1992 the sanctuary was renovated with chancel furnishings and reredos in worshipful depiction of "The Mountains of The Lord", designed by Ernst Schwidder, and pews.  The ... entrance was enhanced... " (See REF page 16.)

"The Mountain's of the Lord"

This welcoming congregation  holds a Sunday Bible Study at 9:30 am (held on Tues. at 10 am after 2013) and worship service at 10:00 am. 

Note: For more history see Blog Post 3/18/12 nd 3/25/12.

Note: Suzanne Wilson visited the Garden of Gethsemane and the Mount  

            of  Olives in 1992 when she joined a tour of Baptist ministers from

            Georgia and Mississippi on their way to Israel.

Photos: Taken in March 2011 by Suzanne Wilson.

Reference 1: Celebrating Fifty Years of Grace, October 22, 2006.

Reference 2: Photo binder in bookshelf of church Narthex.

Link 1:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_of_Olives

Link 2: http://www.mtolivet.ca/history.htm

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Prayer

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

                                                                                                                      February 27, 2011

1550 Philip Avenue

Posthumous
Jehovah Witness's on Philips
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Around the corner from St. Richard's Anglican Church (see Blog January 2, 2011) is the Tomahawk Restaurant. But this building qualifies for the Blog Sunday Church Feature because it was built as a Jehovah's Witness Church. It was built in 1956 for $6500. If you sit at one of the tables at the Tomahawk and look at the bones of the building, you can imagine a church congregation sitting there. The room is a long rectangle which would facilitate a center aisle bordered by rows of seating.The ceiling is pointed and there are lines of small windows at the tops of the side walls. The partition at one end, blocking off part of the kitchen even looks like it could have been the backdrop for an alter. However, the native wall mural, paddles and artifacts remind you that you are indeed in the Tomahawk Restaurant.


Before the Jehovah Witness Church moved into the 1550 Philip Ave. building, services were held across the street in one of the store fronts in the Norgate Shopping Center. The Tomahawk BBQ started in 1926 on the north side of Marine Drive at Mackay Road.  Then it moved to the shopping center.  At this time it was a drive-in. It was in 1962 that the Jehovah Witness congregation moved out and Chick Chamberlain brought his Tomahawk Restaurant to the building on Philips Ave. He modified the building with a $1000 addition.


Photo: Taken in 2009 by SW.
Books: City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994.

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

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                                       2/20/11

Posthumous
Lynnmour United Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada


According to the City Directories, Lynnmour United Church on Mountain Highway started out as River Avenue Methodist Church in Vancouver on River Ave. east of Fraser St. This was 1915 and the Rev. Wm. Pearson was the pastor. During the 1920's although the location and name remained the same the address listing changed to 941 River Ave., then to 900 East River Ave., then to 945 River Ave. East, and finally to Marine Dr. East. In 1926 the church became the River Avenue United Church with Rev. B. Black as pastor. In 1929 the address was listed as 1195 block East Marine. And finally in 1930 with only a Sunday School listed the address was 1195 Marine Dr. That address was vacant in 1931.


The big change for the church came in 1933. This was the year the building was "taken apart, hauled away to North Vancouver and resurrected at Lynn Creek" (North Shore news 9/21/62). Here at E/S St. Denis it became Lynnmour United Church. In 1944 the church address was listed as both E/S St. Denis and E/S Mountain Highway with Rev. Allan as pastor. The address changed to 700 block in 1957 and 600 block in 1959. 

1103 Mountain Highway

1962 Church

At Easter in 1962 a new church at a different site "up the hill",  the West Lynnmour United Church at 1103 Mountain Highway, was announced in the North Shore News. The pastor was Rev. Allan I. V. Dawe.  The congregation finally joined that of the Lynn Valley United Church in 1966.

In 1964 the old church was vacant. And in 1964 the first of a series of businesses bought the building. They included Inanex Woodwork Shop, Pragon Electric, Metallic Design, and finally from 1975 to 1998 Bero Mettalic Design. The building was demolished in the spring of 2004. Now in 2010 the land will be part of the new Seylynn Village Project.


Researcher: Thank you to Jim Lawrence.
Photo: Top photo, copy of photo in The Province, September 21, 1962. Bottom photo taken in 2005 by SW.  The building is now a residence.
Link:http://www.dnv.org/upload/documents/District_History/181966.pdf

                                                                                                                    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.)

                                                                                                                              January 23, 2011

    3380 Lonsdale Avenue

The Church on the Hill
North Lonsdale United Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"North Lonsdale Church had its beginning in 1913 when a small group, of people met in a little store on Lonsdale Ave. at King’s Rd., with George Hamilton a student minister conducting the services.

Grocery store meeting place of congregation in 1913 at
south east corner of Lonsdale Ave. and East Kings Road.

"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.

North Lonsdale United Church at 131 East Kings Rd., 1915

First Evangelical Baptist Church, 131 East Kings Rd., (2010)

" 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.

"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 church in the meantime, was erected largely by volunteer labour and was dedicated on December 13, 1953. The sanctuary furnished with dignity and good taste was truly appreciated, but it was soon realized that the building was not large enough, especially in view of the increasing Sunday School attendance. In 1956 a lot with house on it, adjoining the church property to the south was bought and Sunday School classes were held in the house as well as in the church building. In 1957 it was felt that the time had come for North Lonsdale Church to have a full-time minister, and Rev. Hislop Dickson who had been minister of the joint charge since 1946, was called to be our pastor. To meet our additional financial responsibilities, and to pay for the house and lot, a successful fund-raising drive was carried out under the chairmanship of Mr. T. D. Hammond.

"A church building was begun early in 1958, adjoining the one already in use and extending from Osborne Rd. south to the lane. When the house had to be torn down to make way for the new building some Sunday School classes were held in a vacant store on Lonsdale Ave. The Wells organization supervised a fund-raising campaign in the fall of 1958. The church building was completed and dedicated on May 15, 1960. With its bright and attractive sanctuary, comfortably-furnished lounge and commodious auditorium and well- planned kitchens it is indeed a contrast to the first little North Lonsdale Church." (3380 Lonsdale Avenue, south east corner of Lonsdale and Osborne.)(See Link 1.)

Sanctuary 2010

The sanctuary nave has of  blond wood  laminated beams forming the vaulted ceiling.  The two banks of pews are separated by a center aisle  with access facilitated by two side aisles.  The red carpting highlights the blond hue of the wooden pews and beams. A cloth screen covers the wall of organ pipes behind the altar and cross.  Along the west wall are a bank of  stained glass memorial windows.



Another part of North Lonsdale United Church's history was CGIT, Canadian Girls in Training.  CGIT was a weekly group for girls age 12 to 17.  It was based on the scripture Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and favor with God and man."  In the booklet The Story of North Lonsdale 1913 to 1990-The Church on the Hill  there is a photo of a CGIT group that met in 1933.  The booklet also mentions that in 1967 there were 90 girls and 10 leaders in the CGIT group at North Lonsdale United Church.  Smaller CGIT groups continued to meet throughout the 1980's.

CGIT Girls Christine Robinson and Laura Wilson

1982

Note: Suzanne Wilson was a CGIT leader at North Lonsdale United Church, the PR chairperson and later the President of the Provincial CGIT Board of B.C.  Both of her daughter, Amy and Laura, attended CGIT.

Reference: The Story of North Lonsdale 1913 to 1990-The Church on the Hill  is available at the North Vancouver Archives.

Photos: 1. Top photo of the 1960 North Lonsdale United Church building was
                     taken in September 2010 by SW. The part of the building that is on
                     the left, the east, is the 1953 church building.
                2. 1926 photo of the store, (available at the North Vancouver Archives
                     #5276), that was on the south east corner of  Lonsdale Ave. and 
                     Kings Road where the congregation first 
                     met. (Photo photoshopped.) First listing of the store in City
                     Directories is 1915, "J. Keene grocer and postmaster, Lonsdale Ave.
                     car, King, same".
               3. The church door with the pastor in front is the 1915 church at 131
                    East Kings Road. (See Reference.) It is still in use as the First
                    Evangelical Baptist Church. 
              4. The 1915 church at 131 East Kings now the First Evangelical Baptist
                   Church, photo taken September 2010 by SW.
              5. Photo taken of North Lonsdale United Church CGIT girls in 1982 by
                   Sharon Way.
             6.  Interior photo of the sanctuary and the stained glass memorial
                   windows taken in December 2010 by SW.

Link 1:http://nluc.org/about-us/history-of-the-church/

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

Prayer

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