December 14, 2014

4575 Denman Road

Denman Island United Church
Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada

  Exit sign on Hwy. 19 for Denman & Hornby Island (Link 2.)

 Map of Denman Island from "denmanisland.com" (Link 2.)

                             

"Denman (Island) was once known as Punchlatt Island, and the Inner Island, by the Puntledge First Nations who set up summer camps on the island, gathering clams and berries, and fishing and hunting. Deer were caught by herding  them into the water where hunters waited in canoes.

The first European settlement on Denman Island was in 1874. The island was named after Rear Admiral Joseph Denman, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station, 1864-6. The island was allegedly nicknamed "Little Orkney" by the settlers who came from the Orkney Islands, an archipelago on the northern tip of Scotland.

Population: 1,100

"Location: Denman Island is located off the eastern shore of central Vancouver Island, opposite Buckley Bay, 12 miles (20 km) south of Courtenay and one hour north of Nanaimo." (Link 2.)

"Destination Denman Island – Ruth Good

"Posted on February 18, 2013 by Bancroft

"Sunday Feb 17 2013

"This morning we were up early to accompany the Bruce and June McIntyre and Chris and Jean Whittaker to church. The service was not in Parksville, however, but on Denman Island where Bruce leads the service one Sunday a month. We met the ferry for Denman Island at Buckley Bay, north of Parksville. After a ten minute ride across Bayes Sound, we drove to the Denham Island United Church. It is a small but beautiful building of wood construction, lined with cedar boards. This is a very old church. There is a display case with the Bible first used in the church,dated 1879.

"The enthusiastic choir had 7 members including two men this day. Some days there are two more members. They present an anthem every Sunday and sometimes more than one.
Every week after the service, there is a pot luck lunch and time of visiting. We joined them for lunch and were made very welcome.
Denman Island has a land area of slightly less than 20 square miles and a year round population of 1016.

"After lunch we did some beach combing at Fillongley Provincial Park and toured the island then back to the ferry to return to Vancouver Island. At Fanny Bay Bruce stopped to show us sea lions. This was a chance happening as the sea lions feed on herring and there is a herring run now. When the run is over the sea lions go back out to sea." (Link 1.)

  Sign at Denman United Church  

(Link 2.)

Denman Island United Church (Link 2.)

The Hornby and Denman Island Grapevine reported on August 21, 2014 on the planned Denman Island United Church 125th anniversary celebration. "Our little white church was built and finished by local citizens.  It was consecrated as a Methodist Church in 1889, 36 years before the United Church of Canada was formed, and was one of the first churches built in the Comox Valley.  Services have been held there every Sunday since that time."  The celebration planned was a concert at the church.

Photo: Top photo taken in August 2014 by SW while driving past.

Link 1: http://carstairsunitedchurch.ca/?p=736

Link 2: http://comoxvalleyapictorialview.blogspot.ca/2013/01/comox-valley-south-denman-island.html

Prayer

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

535 Marmont Street

(1960 Church)

Como Lake United Church
Coquitlam, B.C. Canada

Dot indicates Como Lake United Church

(Google Map)

"Coquitlam /koʊˈkwɪtləm/ (2011 census population 126,840)^[3] is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam, mainly a suburban city, is the sixth-largest city in the province and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. 

Como Lake

(Link 5.)

"The Austin Heights area contains Como Lake, a renowned urban fishing and recreation area, and headwaters for the Como watershed. The watershed represents one of the last urban watersheds in the Tri-Cities that supports wild stocks of coho salmon as well as other species at risk such as coastal cut throat trout (both sea-run and resident) and bird species such as the Great Blue Heron and Green Heron.^[16] It also contains Mundy Park, one of the largest urban parks in the Metro Vancouver area." (Link 3.)

"Blue Mountain Park is one of Coquitlam’s original municipal parks. It offers an urban forest setting with tall Douglas Fir, Red Cedar, North Red Oak, and several Redwoods." (Link 4.)  This park is kitty-corner from Como Lake United Church.

"Activity in the Como Lake area of Coquitlam began with families meeting in homes in the area in 1924, although the congregation is first mentioned in the 1928 yearbook. It is not known whether the United Church congregation was preceded by any Methodist or Presbyterian activity. 

 Central United Church, Austin Avenue, 1926*

                                                           

"A small wooden church was completed on Austin Avenue in 1926 and named Central United Church. Before becoming a separate charge around 1950, (Susan: 1925-1952) Central United was part of the Port Moody Pastoral Charge from approximately 1930.

1951 Church, corner of King Albert Ave. & Marmont Street.
started Sept. 9, 1951* 

" In 1951, (*1952 to 1960) with the congregation growing, the church moved to a new location on King Albert and Marmont Streets. The church's name was subsequently changed to Coquitlam Central United Church, but this caused confusion with the church in Port Coquitlam. At the 1956 Congregational meeting, the Congregation voted to change the name to Como Lake United Church.

Sanctuary

Banks of side Sanctuary Windows

"A new church was built to accommodate growth and was dedicated on 

December 4, 1960. (See top photo.)

Auditorium Expansion behind the Sanctuary

"Major expansions were completed in 1976 and 1986." (Link 1.) (*The old church building remains the current Fellowship Hall.)

Note: In 1969 Richard Wilson, Suzanne's son and contributor to Churches on Sundays blog and now living and working in Basel Switzerland, was baptized at Como Lake United Church.

Thank you: To *Susan Beer, Church Office Administrator,  for an e mail with 
                         photos of original churches and related dates.
Photos: Taken in September 2014 by SW.
Link 1: http://www.memorybc.ca/como-lake-united-church-coquitlam-b-c
Link 2: http://comolakeunitedchurch.com/
Link 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquitlam
Link 4: http://www.coquitlam.ca/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks- 
               and-trails/park-finder/Blue_Mountain_Park.aspx

Link 5: http://www.letsgobiking.net/2013/01/56-coquitlam-parks-mundy-
               blue-mountain.html

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                                 August 17, 2014

1200 Parkgate Avenue

Mount Seymour United Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"Mount Seymour United Church is a congregation of the United Church of Canada which was formed by the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in 1925.

The April 28th, 1989 edition of the North Shore News reported that the congregation of Mount Seymour United Church was "worshiping in the Seycove School gym since September while waiting for the church to be completed" at 1200 Parkgate. (REF. 2.)

Sod Turning at 1200 Parkgate (REF. 1)

"Mount Seymour United Church (at 1200 Parkgate) opened its doors on April 30, 1989.  It was built by the congregations of Deep Cove United Church in Deep Cove (See Blog Post 4/10/11.), and Mount Seymour United Church on Berkley Road which had shared ministry since 1952. 

Deep Cove United Church

(2013   Photo)

Seymour Heights United Church (REFS  a.)

"Faced with a growing community the decision was made to develop a more centrally located worship facility that would also be accessible to many community groups." (Link.) The building of the church on Parkgate was a $1,5000,000 project. The architect was Philip Harrison of Paul Smith and Associates with the construction company being Fairmile Construction. (REFS c.)

Sanctuary Chancel

The Sanctuary " seats 300 people in stadium style cushioned pews. The acoustics are excellent and it is a wonderful venue for concerts, recording sessions, large meetings and other special events. The sanctuary has state of the art sound and projection systems that can be rented. Hearing aid users can activate the T-switch on their aids to link into our sound system. Hearing devices are available." (Link.)

"The wooden cross (See Sanctuary photo above.) was originally from Deep Cove United Church.  It was refinished by James Fulton and put up for a Lenten service in 2005.  As the story goes after Lent, Dermott McInnes said, "It looks good" and so it stayed."(REFS. d.)

Sanctuary

The pulpit frontal "was made in 1991 by Anthea Mallison, a ...North Vancouver tapestry artist....In the center is a cross; behind it is a circle representing the sun or a source of spiritual light....Around that is a circular band with images of native plants to represent the earth.  surrounding that is another circular band containing images from the ocean to represent water.   The four corners are blue rays representing air.  Thus all four traditional elements of creation are displayed." (REFS d.)

Pulpit

The center of the backlit stained glass window on the north wall of the sanctuary was made by Eric Bennett shortly after the new building was open.  "The window features the crest of the United Church of Canada, the burning bush representing the Presbyterian church, the open Bible representing the Methodist congregations and the white dove for the Congregationalists.  The fourth section is the symbol of the United church, the alpha and omega....It was dedicated to those who served in the 2nd World War." (REFS. d)

Bennett Stained Glass Window

(Mounted on North Wall of Sanctuary)

"The banner which hangs on the south wall of the sanctuary was designed and created by members of our congregation....The hills in the banner are part of the landscape surrounding our church.  In Psalm 121, hills and mountains serve as a reminder of the majesty of God's creation....The ocean in the banner is reminiscent of the view from Deep Cove...The first century fishing boat recalls the story of Jesus' encounter with Simon, James and John....the calming of the storm....The rays of the sun ... are images of the light which flows through the windows of our sanctuary....As we look at the banner we are reminded of our creation, our salvation and our calling."  Made in 1989. (REFS. c.)

Sea of Galilee Banner

(Mounted on South Wall of Sanctuary)

The baptismal font was purchased specifically for the new building.  The font was donated by Jean Cliff in Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Paterson and the bowl was donated by Jim and Donna Crook, Art More and Bruce More in Memory of Rev. Bill and Elsie More.  The old font from Deep Cove Church was refurbished by James Fulton and is now used as a flower stand." (REFS. d.)

Baptismal Font

The "Lobby Area (outside the Sanctuary)... features skylights and two sets of double doors opening onto a green space. It can comfortably accommodate up to 250 people and provides a perfect setting for receptions and other gatherings. The Church’s Large Hall holds up to 250 people and can be set up for meetings and other gatherings such as receptions, parties and dinners. Our meeting rooms can accommodate up to 20 people per room."(Link.)

Parkgate Ave. side of Mount Seymour United Church

(Link.) 

Note: See Blog Post 8/3/14 for map of location of churches mentioned.

            See Blog Post 8/10/14 for more information on Seymour Heights

                    United Church.

Photos: Taken in April 2014 by SW.

Reference 1: North Shore News, June 5, 1988, available at the North Vancouver

                 Archives.

Reference 2: North Shore News, April 1989, available at the North Vancouver

                 Archives.

Reference 3: Citizen, August 1, 1963, available at the North Vancouver 

                 Archives.

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.)

Link: http://www.mtseymourunited.com/

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                                 August 10, 2014

971 Berkley Road-1959 (REF a.)

Posthumous

Munro church/Seymour Heights United Church

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The first church to be built on Berkley Road, in the eastern section of the District of North Vancouver, was Munro Church in 1928.  (See Blot Post 8/3/2014.)  This church, built south of Mount Seymour Parkway was named after the retired minister Rev. John R. Munro who "gave himself with enthusiasm to the erection of a church at Berkley Heights...the name 'Munro Church' had been sanctioned by Presbytery for this building." (REF b.)

"The congregation of (that changed its name to) Seymour Heights had its start in the early 1930's.  The first church home of the congregation was a small church with a basement located on Berkley Road, south of the present Mount Seymour Parkway."  This church had an organ.  "In 1942 the original church (Munro Church) was sold and services were held in Seymour Heights Hall..."For 15 years, Seymour Heights United has been meeting in Seymour Heights Community Hall while planning a church of its own.
                                                                              

Seymour Heights Community Hall

2702 East Keith Road

(North Vancouver Archives Photo #MA146)

"By the mid-1950's it was apparent that a church home was required.  Land was purchased on Berkley Road...During this period the church organ was faithfully stored in Stewart;s chicken house...The side is west of Berkley Road, north of Keith, running from the intersection of Dogwood, south 300 feet on Berkley, with a depth running from 100 feet at the south half, to 200 at the north...There is a fine view down Burrard Inlet, over the city to Vancouver Island.

"The estimated cost of the new church was $26,000...The church is planned for the corner of Berkley and Dogwood on four lots purchased by the building committee.. for $3000.  Professor W. R. Ussner of the University of British Columbia is drawing up plans for a church to seat about 250...estimated total cost of $26,000" (REF b.)

                                                                  

New Church Sanctuary-1959 (REF 2.)

The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives lists a 1962 $10,500 repair for fire damage at the Seymour Heights United Church.

                                                                    

                                                   971 Berkley Rd., 1963 (REF 1.)

New Building 1963 (REF 1.)

"The new church...was part of the Lynnmour Pastor Charge to the west of Seymour Heights area.  (See blog post 1/19/12.)...In 1967 the Lynnmour church was amalgamated with Lynn Valley United Church (See blog post Feb.m 19, 2012.) and Seymour Heights became Mount Seymour united Church.  Mount Seymour shared a minister with Deep Cove United Church." )See blog post 4/10/11.) (REF a.)

Seymour Heights/Mount Seymour United Church and Deep Cove United Church combined and built Mount Seymour United Church at 1500 Parkgate Avenue in 1989.  (See blog post on Mount Seymour United Church 8/17/14.)

Note: See Blog Post 8/3/14 for map of location of churches mentioned.

Thank You: To Kathryn Clinton, Mount Seymour United Church Administrator

                  for copies of history references.

Reference 1: Citizen, August 1, 1963, available at the North Vancouver 

                 Archives.

Reference 2: 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.)

Link: http://www.mtseymourunited.com/

                                                                                                                                8/3/14                                                                                                                        

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

1.-approximate location of Munro Church

Posthumous

Munro Church

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The first United Church to be built on Berkley Road in the eastern section of the District of North Vancouver was Munro Church.  This church, built south of Mount Seymour Parkway in 1928 was named after the retired minister Rev. J. R. Munro that "gave himself with enthusiasm to the erection of a church at Berkley Heights....the name 'Munro Church' had been sanctioned by Presbytery for this building."

"The congregation of  (now named) Seymour Heights (United Church) had its start in the early 1930's.  The first church home of the congregation was a small church with a basement located on Berkley Road, south of the present Mount Seymour Parkway." (Munro Church)  This church had an organ. "In 1942 the original church was sold and services were held in Seymour Heights Hall..."For 15 years, Seymour Heights United has been meeting in Seymour Heights Community Hall while planning a church of its own." (See photo below.) (REF. b.)

Seymour Heights Community Hall

2702 East Keith Road

(North Vancouver Photo Archives #MA146 )

The 1960 City Directory lists the Seymour Heights Hall as being  at 2702 Keith Rd., on the north side of the street.

"By the mid-1950's it was apparent that a church home was required.  Land was purchased on Berkley Road... During this period the church organ was faithfully stored in Stewart's chicken house...The site(of the new church) is west of Berkeley Road, north of Keith, running from the intersection of Dogwood, south 300 feet on Berkeley, with a depth running from 100 feet at the south half, to 200 at the north....There is a fine view down Burrard Inlet, over the city to Vancouver Island. (REF.) 

Note: For more information see Blog Post 8/10/2014 and 8/17/2014.

*******

Thank you: To Kathryn Clinton, Mount Seymour United Church
                      Administrator for copies of history references.

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."
                 
Map References: 1. Munro Church, 1928-1942
                                2. Seymour Heights United Church, 1959-1989
                                3. Mount Seymour United Church, 1989-present
                                4. Deep Cove United Church, 1950-1989