March 24, 2013

105 West 12th Street

Salvation Army
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada


"In 1887 the Salvation Army begins in Vancouver with four ladies known as the "Hallelujah Lassies."  At Hallelujah Point in Stanley Park a (1982) commemorative plaque reads:

1887-1967

Hallelujah Point

"Commemorating the pioneer of the work of the Salvation Army

in Vancouver it was on this clearing the Salvation Army erected a rugged shelter, and picnic table, and then held services of song in the silent atmosphere of the early Burrard Inlet.  The sound of the Hallelujah Lassies singing "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah," could be clearly heard across the waters to downtown early Vancouver Water and Cordova Streets-and the clearing was thus named Hallelujah Point."

"Sign Installation marks the new home 

of the North Vancouver branch of 

The Salvation Army at 12th Street 

and Lonsdale Avenue." (REF.)

..."The new home of the North Vancouver branch of the Salvation Army at 105 West 12th Street and Lonsdale Avenue was opened in 1967.  The $100,000 building was designed by Mercer and Mercer of Vancouver, and built by Mainland Construction...Burnaby.

Wrought iron support for entrance awning

"Masonry for the building was supplied by Alton and Nerheim Masonry Limited,...Vancouver and wood supplies provided by Woodlam Products of...North Vancouver.

"...The building was constructed to house church and offices on the main floor and an activity room and kitchen on the lower floor.  The modern two storey brick structure was built as a project to mark the Centennial of the Salvation Army which was in 1965.

"..a 30-voice Salvation Army Choir and Sunday afternoon and... morning and

evening sermons (were part of the official opening.)

"Seating for 120 persons is provided in the main chapel...(REF.)

1976 Building Plan for Salvation Army store at 241 Lonsdale Avenue

(North Vancouver Archives collection)

In 1976 the Salvation Army built a thrift store at 241 Lonsdale Avenue.  Donated items are sold to the public.  As of 2012  the store also became the collection center for used electronics: computer equipment, television sets, etc.

Letterhead 2010

+++

"The Salvation Army began its work in Canada in 1882, just fifteen years after Confederation, and quickly began giving hope to those in need in this country and around the world.

"The first open-air ‘meetings’, or worship services, were held in Toronto in January, 1882, and in London, Ontario, five months later. ...

"From the beginning, the Army in Canada adopted founder William Booth’s philosophy that there is little point preaching ‘salvation’ to hungry people. And so the concept of ‘soup and salvation’ took hold, later to be developed into the comprehensive social service programs The Salvation Army operates today, many of them in partnership with government.

"William Booth was a dissident Methodist minister, who took his Wesleyan sensibilities and Christ’s command to ‘feed my sheep’ to their logical conclusion. Starting as The Christian Mission in the East End of London, England, in 1865, it was re-named The Salvation Army in 1878, to reflect the increasingly military structure the movement had adopted.

"When the Army came to Canada, there was much opposition to its methods from civic politicians and other entrenched interests in the early days, and Salvationists were often beaten and jailed for their activities in the streets of Canada’s cities and towns. Despite this, there was eventual acceptance of the movement as it demonstrated the social benefits that accrued from its activities. The men’s social work began in 1890 with a Prison Gate Home in Toronto. The same year a Children’s Shelter was opened. The first Maternity home was opened in Saint John, N.B. in 1898, precursor to the Salvation Army Grace Hospitals. In 1901 The Salvation Army recommended to the federal government that a prisoner probation system be adopted, leading to Canada’s first parole program. In 1908 salvage work (now called recycling) began in Toronto, leading to the well-known Thrift Stores. In 1911 the first Juvenile Detention Centre was established in Manitoba and turned over to the Army to operate. That same year a farm colony was established in Coombs, B.C.

"The Salvation Army’s status in Canada was entrenched in law in 1909 when parliament passed an Act giving the organization legal standing, its governance to be conducted by The Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada, a situation which continues to this day...

"In 1914 the Army shared in the national tragedy of the sinking of The Empress of Ireland in the St. Lawrence. On board were more than 120 Salvationists, bound for an international congress in London. Most of them, including the national commander and members of the Canadian Staff Band, were drowned. The Staff Band was not re-formed until 1969.

"Canada’s involvement in the Great War of 1914-1918 saw the appointment of the first Salvation Officer as a chaplain in the Canadian armed forces, and the donation of five motor ambulances to forces serving overseas. At the end of the war, military hostels were opened in Winnipeg, London, Kingston, Toronto, and other cities, for returning soldiers.

"All of this demonstrates the unique ability of The Salvation Army to respond to urgent needs – the Halifax explosion and Winnipeg flood being examples...

"Innovation in social services continued even as the organization matured: the first seniors’ residence, or Eventide Home, was opened in Edmonton in 1926, and Grace Hospitals were opened in major cities across the country, as were homes for unmarried mothers.

"The onset of World War II found the Army accompanying Canada’s armed forces overseas not only as chaplains but as the operators of Maple Leaf Clubs, providing rest and relaxation for the troops. By the end of the war there were clubs in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and India...

"Salvationists now formally worship in 11 languages and provide services in many others. In the post-war years further social service innovations included an anti-suicide bureau and victim witness assistance programs, the latter eventually being absorbed by the criminal justice system...

"The Salvation Army is now the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country...

"Today in Canada The Salvation Army has 877 active officers (clergy), more than 18,000 soldiers (church members) and close to 44,000 adherents; that is, people who claim the Army as their church home, but who are not formal members. There are 311 corps (churches) and more than 330 social-service institutions of various kinds. As well as the many thousands of volunteers, more than 10,000 people are employed by The Salvation Army in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Fifty-five Canadian officers and lay staff also serve overseas in countries from Papua New Guinea to South Africa." (Link .)

Photos: Top photo taken in the year 2000 as part of the project Your House/

                 Our Home by SW on file at the North Vancouver Archives.

Reference: 'The opening of the SALVATION ARMY CHAPEL, North Vancouver.

                 Saturday February 11, 1967  by Roy J V Pallant, North Vancouver 

                 Historical Society publication

Link : http://www.salvationarmy.ca/history/

2641 Chesterfield Avenue-2000

St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The story of St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church originates with the establishment of two North Vancouver Presbyterian Home Mission's in the early 1900's.

The first Presbyterian Home Mission started in 1903.  The first building chosen for worship was Dorman's Shack on East 13th Street. (See Blog Post 9/2/12.)

"This shack was built of shakes, was 15 feet square, and had a seating capacity of 25 people.  The congregation sat on wooden planks nailed to logs..." (REF 1.)  The first sermon was, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (REF 1.)  

 100 block of Lower Keith Road East

1904

A year later they built a church to seat 100 facing Victoria Park on the 100 block of Lower Keith Road East. (See Blog Post 11/18/12.) 

By 1912 the church had grown and the congregation built a new church at 10th and St. George's Avenue. (See Blog Post  1/9/11.) (REF 1.)

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church-2000

10th and St. George's Avenue

In 1925 the United Church of Canada was formed by the uniting of the Congregational, Methodist, and those of the Presbyterian church that wished to join.  St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was renamed St. Andrew's United Church.  Presbyterian congregation members that didn't wish to join the United Church moved to the Oddfellow's Hall-the IOOF Hall-of the  former St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in the 100 block of Lower East Keith Road. (1930 Fire Insurance Map at Blog Post 3/25/12.)

In 1934 the congregation moved from the Odd Fellow's Hall to their new St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church built at 121 East 12th Street. (See Blog Post 2/13/11.) They worshiped there until 1952 when they joined with St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church to form St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church at 2641 Chesterfield Avenue.  

121 East 12th Street-2000

The second Presbyterian Home Mission started in 1910.  Their first services  held services in the Exhibition Hall/Exhibition Hall at East 23rd and Lonsdale Avenue.  "This mission was known as "North Lonsdale Presbyterian Church"... (REF 1.)

1908 Horticultural Building/Exhibition Hall-NVArchives

 In that same year "Alexander Philip and Robert Fowler presented the congregation with the deeds for three lots...This is the site, at the southwest corner of (West) 27th Street and Chesterfield Avenue, which our present church buildings occupy... The plans, drawn up by architect Alexander Law, specified the dimensions of the building as 24 feet by 24 feet.  It was built by carpenter W.J. Campbell for about $1138.00.... In November of 1910,...the congregation walked from the Exhibition Hall up to the church one evening carrying lanterns to light the way." (REF.)  In 1915 the name of the church was changed to "St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church". (REF 1.)  The church site was on the north side   of the three donated lots-adjacent to 27th Street-where the church hall now sits.  

1910 Church
(1955 Photo)

"When the vote on Church Union was taken (1925) at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church the members reject it with a 75% majority,  thus they were able to retain their church building and all its property....in 1952 St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's joined together to give our church the name it bears today....In 1955 the former  St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on East 12th Street was sold....the congregation of St. Andrew' and St. Stephen's approved plans for a new sanctuary that would seat 250 people...the estimated cost was $29,500....At this time there were 204 members and 211 Sunday School pupils.  the new sanctuary is the same one we use today." (REF 1.)  This building sits on the south side of the three lots donated in 1910, adjacent to the lane.

1955 Church Sanctuary-2013

The ceiling of the 1955 sanctuary is supported by laminated beams.  The side windows are clear glass.  Two carved wooden doors, each with one leaded glass window are at the entrance to the sanctuary narthex.

1955 Sanctuary-2013

"In 1961 it was decided that a Christian Education Building was needed at an estimated cost of $60,000....the labour for this new building was provided by the men of the congregation.  They tore down the old church which had stood on the site for 50 years, and on November 7th of that year the new building was dedicated too the glory of God." (REF 1.)

1961 Church Hall on right-2013

(Site of the 1910 church.)

On the upper level is the large hall for social events and a big , kitchen.  "On the lower level there was a caretaker's suite, a room for the nursery, washrooms, and a large room for meetings...." (REF 1.) In 1996 this space became the church office. (REF 1.)  This space has recently become the Prayer Room.

Prayer Room-2013

"By 1990 the need for more space for church activities became critical....The Board of Managers had started planning to excavate the basement area under the church hall to provide for Sunday School classrooms....In May of 1993, the new basement facilities were dedicated to the glory of God." (REF 1.)

2012 Centennial Banner-2013 

Hanging on rear wall of Sanctuary

Made by women of the congregation

Reference 1: 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.

Reference 2: City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994.

Thank you: To Church Administrator Angela Edmonds for a tour and history

                 of the church.

Photos: Top Photo-copy of photo hanging in church hallway,.
                 BPhotos taken in January 2013 by SW.
                 Photo from REF 2. Blog Post 3/25/12.
                 North Vancouver Archives Photograph Bu P392.1.
Link: http://www.sasspc.bc.ca/ 

Prayer

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

                                                                                                     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

.

                                                                                                      November 25, 2012

1910 Fire Insurance Map

Posthumous
Baptist Church-1908
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The Baptist Church was the fourth church to be built in North Vancouver.
First was St. Paul's Catholic Church on Native Lands in 1886.  Next was St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church (See Blog Post September 9, 2012.) on West 13th Street in 1900.  Then St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (See Blog Post November 18, 2012.) on East Keith Road in 1904. And in December 1908 the Baptist Church on east 5th Street. (REF 1 page 16.) 

By this time, 1908, North Vancouver had a newspaper, The Express-1906, gas street lighting-1905, and a street car-1905. (REF 1.)

The 1910 Fire Insurance Map (pictured above) shows the exact location as north side of East Fifth Street (#2) and west of St. George's Avenue.  This is just two blocks south of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

The 1909 and 1910 City Directories at the North Vancouver Archives lists the address as " 5th and corner St. Georges.  The pastor for these years is noted as being Rev. David Long. In 1911, the last listing, the address in the City Directory is the same listing and the pastor was the Rev. C. Blunden.  The diagram shows that the the church was "13' to the eaves".  

In 1912 the Baptist church is listed as being at the "sw corner 12th & St. Georges". (See Blog Post October 28, 2012.) 



Reference 1: Wm. Stott, The Early Story of North Vancouver,

               and Art" notes, 2nd series, vol.1; 2 March 1950.
Reference 2: 1910 Fire Insurance Map of North Vancouver, North Vancouver
               Archives.
Note: Blog Post of the Baptist Church at East 12th Street is at 1/28/12.

Prayer

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

                                                                                                           September 9, 2012

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church
220 West 8th Street
View from West 13th Street-2012

September-Celebrating St. John's
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada 

"The first Anglican church on the North Shore, St. John the Evangelist Parish was begun and organized as a mission in 1899. The first services were held in private residences and later in a small building at 13th Street and Lonsdale Ave. (Dorman's Shack, See Blog Post 9/2/12.) ... . In 1900, the church was built on the present site... as a Mission Church. This building was enlarged to double its capacity in 1907. (See Blog Post 9/9/12.)

1900 Church (REF.)

"In March 1909, the cornerstone of the church (Architect-John James Bastion Honeyman-Link 3.) was laid and the Mission formally became a self-supporting parish. Opening services were held in July of the same year and the boundaries of the parish were extended. The Rectory was built in 1912 and a Chapel was added at the end of the Great War. In 1926, St. John's was fully incorporated as a Parish.  (See Blog Post 9/16/12.)

1909 Church (REF.)

"In 1985, St. John's was destroyed by fire and the Memorial Hall became the church for over two years. A new building was dedicated... in 1987." (Link 1.)

The 1987 church looks like a Gothic Cathedral of rough cement block and tinted glass.  It commands the point of the triangle of land formed by West 13th Street and West 8th Avenue.  It was described in "The History of Metropolitan Vancouver" (Link 4.)   "Dr. Kalman also liked St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, at 220 West 8th Street, North Vancouver, architect Keith Watson-Donald. “The familiar characteristics of traditional Gothic and Gothic Revival churches—pointed arches, buttresses, and light-transmitting windows—are all recalled in this attractive Post-Modern church located on a strategic corner site. Glazed turrets with pyramidal roofs surround the steeply gabled masonry-and-glass nave.”

The front of the church on West 13th Street features a stepped arch and circular empty window  lighting the front doors below.  A peaked cement block arch surrounds the entrance to the Sanctuary with a large circular window  above the oak front double doors.  In the exterior cement floor of the  entrance area are laid the corner stones the 1900 and 1909 churches built on this site.  The corner stone for this church, 1987, is in the right side of the base of the arch.

Front Doors to Sanctuary-2012
(Facing West 13th Street)

Atop the peaked roof of the church an "empty cross" points to the heavens as do the six tinted glass towers edging the cement block building.

An East Side Exterior Tower Window-2012

The broad  interior of the Sanctuary features a two story window behind the altar, a small chapel area to the front right, a baptismal font to the far right, and oak pews. To the immediate right of the altar is the eagle lectern that survived the 1985 fire in the 1909 church. 

Sanctuary-2012

Two Story Window Behind the Altar-2012

Top Stained Glass Window
Ascension Window
2012

The top stained glass panel in the two story window behind the altar is the Ascension Window.  This same design was at the east end of the 1909 church.  It was badly damaged in the 1985 fire.  However, the original artisans still had the templates, so it was rebuilt and installed in the new 1987 church. (REF.)

Bottom Stained Glass Window

Good Shepherd Window

2010

The bottom stained glass panel in the two story window behind the altar is the Good Shepherd Window.  This is original window from the 1909 church.  It survived the 1985 fire and was reinstalled in the new church, 1987. (REF.)

 Stained Glass Windows on the South Wall of the Chapel

The chapel area of the sanctuary is to the west of the altar.  It is designated by a semi circle of oak chairs, a table of candles, and a panel of six small stained glass windows.  The windows are original from the 1909 church.  They were given by the children of the Sunday school to be part of the baptistry in the 1909 church. (REF.)

Rear Stained Glass Window
Te Deum Window
2012

In the rear on the north wall of the Sanctuary , high above the banks of oak pews, is the stained glass Te Deum Window.  A window of this design was in the 1909 church but badly damaged in the 1985 fire.  Again the original artisans had the template.  In rebuilding it they corrected it to include the previously missing St. Clement. (REF.)

Parish of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church was also responsible for the establishment of:

                        1908-St. Clement's Anglican Church, Blog Post 11/23/11.

                        1909-St. Agnes Anglican Church, Blog Post 2/6/11.

                        1910-St. Thomas Anglican Church which later became

                                  St. Martin's Anglican Church

                        1934 -The Seamen's Institute

                        1943-St. Catherine's Anglican Church, Blog Post 1/16/11.

                        1950-St. Richard's Anglican Church, Blog Post 1/2/11.

These were all started as Missions. During this time the congregation of  the Parish of St. John's also built and maintained the 1900 church, the 1909 church, the Memorial Church Hall, and a rectory. The community of North Vancouver thanks  God for this dedicated and hard working congregation.

Thank you: To congregation members Jim Lawrence, Donna Lawrence, Alison

                         Brookfield, and Linda Harrison for review of this Blog Post.
                         To Allison Mulligan, volunteer office manager, for a tour of 
                         the church.

Photos: Black and White copied from book by Beth Lawrence by SW.
                        Colored photos taken in 2012 by SW.
Reference: Faithful People of God Parish of St. John's North Vancouver
                        by Beth Lawrence. Beth's grandfather Colin Jackson was a member
                       of the congregationin 1910.
Link 1: http://memorybc.ca/st-john-evangelist-parish-north-vancouver-b-c-fonds;rad 

Link 2: http://www.stjohnnv.ca/
Link 3:http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/1522

Link 4: http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/chronology1987.htm

Note: Entire history of  St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, see Blog Posts:

            1890's Dorman's Shack, 9/2/12.

            1900 Church (Anne MacDonald Hall), 9/9/12.

            1909 Church and 1985 Fire, 9/16/12.

            1948 Memorial Hall (Church, 1985 to 1987), 9/23/12.

            1987 Church, 9/30/12.

St. John the Evangelist
Memorial Hall 1948

September-Celebrating St. John's
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church
Memorial Hall
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

After 30 year of talking about building a memorial Parish Hall on the property adjacent to the east side of the church it was completed in 1948.  The cost was  $17,000. "Much of the finishing work had been done by volunteers... The cross that had been atop the original church building (1900) was removed and placed over the main door of the Memorial Hall." It was dedicated in memory of the 24 young men from the church who had given their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Main Door of Memorial Hall

(Note 1900 church cross above the door.)

(2012)

On September 21, 1954 a newly renovated and extended Memorial Hall was opened.  "Plans for expansion of the Memorial Hall ...include(d) a two-story extension at the east end which would house a stage, an office, new washrooms, and a storage area.  The upper floor would include seven classrooms for the Sunday school." The completed cost was just under $22,000.

Memorial Hall 2012

(Note two story extension on the east end.) 

Following the complete destruction by fire of the main church building in 1985, the Memorial Hall became the "church". "The inside of the hall was painted, and the Sunday school rooms upstairs were turned over to the rector, assistant, and secretary, while the Sunday school was relocated..."  An altar was established in the main hall on the first floor.

Memorial Hall Altar
(1985 and 1986)

Over the years many church activities as well as community groups continue to hold functions and meetings in the Memorial Hall.

Quotes: From REF below, book by Beth Lawrence.

Thank you: To congregation members Jim Lawrence, Donna Lawrence, Alison

                         Brookfield, and Linda Harrison for review of this Blog Post.

Photos: Black and White copied from book by Beth Lawrence by SW.
                       Colored photo taken in 2012 by SW.
Reference: Faithful People of God Parish of St. John's North Vancouver
                       by Beth Lawrence.
Link: http://www.stjohnnv.ca/

Note: Entire history of  St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, see Blog Posts:

            1890's Dorman's Shack, 9/2/12.
            1900 Church(Anne MacDonald Hall), 9/9/12.

            1909 Church and 1985 Fire, 9/16/12.

            1948 Memorial Hall (Church 1985 to 1987), 9/23/12.

            1987 Church, 9/30/12.

Prayer

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