11/30/14
 
                                                          

The original 1961 St. Pius X Multipurpose Building    
1150 Mount Seymour Road 
(2014 Photo)

                       (Now used as a gymnasium  of St. Pius X  Elementary School)

                (With living space and music room addition added to the front)

Posthumous 
St. Pius X Catholic Church Multipurpose Building

North Vancouver, B.C.

St. Pius X Catholic church started as a mission of St. Edmund's Catholic Church (See Blog Post  6/26/11) in 1944.  It was started to serve the sizable Catholic population revealed in the census report of Deep Cove, the most western section of the District of North Vancouver.  The first mass was offered in a storage room, then across the street at the Deep Cove Community Hall.

"In 1960 six acres of land were purchased near the intersection of Mount Seymour Parkway and Mount Seymour Rd.," up the mountain and west of the community of Deep Cove.  "In 1961 a multi-purpose facility, including a pastor's residence (at the left end of the building in the photo below) and a hall seating six hundred, was built." (REF.) 

St. Pius X Catholic Church-1984

In 1981 part of the original property was sold and in 1984 a new church was built at 1150 Mt. Seymour Rd.

 St. Pius X Elementary School

North building

In 1997 St. Pius  X Elementary School was built.  The school has two buildings. The northern building contains the school office and classrooms.  The southern building is the original 1961 all purpose building and is now  the school gymnasium. The original all purpose building is seen in the two photos below-the elevated roof. The caretaker's living quarters and the music room were added on to the front of the building. 

West side of south gym wing of school
(Note elevated roof of 1961 Multipurpose Building)

South side of south gym wing of school
(Note elevated roof of 1961 Multipurpose Building)

For more information on St. Pius X Catholic Church see Blog Post 11/6/11.

Note: In this case Posthumous means that although the building is still in use 
          it is not used as a Sanctuary for Sunday Services.  

Photos: Taken in 2011 and May 2014 by SW.

Reference:Traditions of Faith and Service, Archdiocese of

                      Vancouver 1908-2008.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_X

Link 2: http://saintpiusxparish.ca/

Link 3: http://www.saintpius.ca/

Prayer

God, be with 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.

Hospital Chapel

University Hospital, Chapel
Basel, Switzerland

                                                                Hospital Strasse 21 / 
                                                                     Petersgraben 4 
                                                                         4031 Basel 

"The University Hospital Basel is one of the leading medical centers in Switzerland with high internationally recognized standard. The doctors, physicians and nurses work around the clock based on the latest scientific findings and the latest medical technology equipment for the welfare, safety and recovery of patients.

"The close cooperation of the University Hospital Basel with the oldest university in Switzerland and the world's leading life science companies in Basel guaranteed interdisciplinary treatment concepts and innovations in all medical disciplines at the highest level. This transfer of knowledge comes in a distinctive mass and the teaching and research as well as education and training to good." (Link 1.)

Note: Son Richard was in the hospital for surgery on his foot after a
                        car drove over it.
Thank you: To Claudia at the University Hospital Church taken 
                        September, 2014.
Link 1: http://www.unispital-basel.ch/das-universitaetsspital/

Prayer

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

Theodorskirch in the Wettstein-Quarter of Basel

Theodorskirch

Basel, Switzerland

"The Theodor church is a Reformed church in the town of Basel. The Gothic church is located in the Wettstein-Quarter and... St. Theodor." (Link 1.)

A document first records the church in 1084. "At the beginning of the 12th century it belonged to the monastery of St. Alban. It is located upriver from present-day Klein Basel in the later abandoned village of Lower Basel....Tombs from the 8th century were found 1947...When Basel earthquake (hit)  in 1356 large parts of this church were heavily damaged.... Both church towers were collapsed in part...Only the north tower was later rebuilt." (Link 1.) 

"Renovations took place 1941 to 1948." (Link 2.)

'.

Exterior  Front Church Wall

The original organ was built in 1770...A new organ was built in 1917 by J Zimmerman...The organ was rebuilt and refurbished in 1978.  Then in 2005 (Link 3.) "the (present) organ was built by the organ builders Alfred and Daniel Kern."  Church concerts are performed occasionally. (Link 1.) 

  

Church Tower

Photos: Taken in August 2014 by Richard Wilson while living and working in 

                 Basel, Switzerland.  
Link 1: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodorskirche_(Basel)
Link 2: http://www.altbasel.ch/fromm/sttheodor.
Link 3: http://peter-fasler.magix.net/public/BSProfile2/theodorref.htm

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                         November 2, 2014

1384 Deep Cove Road

The Bridge 
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"The beginning of our church go back to post World War II when the Mount Pleasant Baptist church in Vancouver first established a Sunday School on the North Shore.  The original chapel at 515 West Windsor Road and Sunday School rooms were constructed in 1955...and Delbrook Baptist Church was established. (REF.) The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives indicates that a$27,000 permit was issued to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 1956.

Original 1956 Chapel-2013

The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives lists a 1962 church addition at Delbrook Baptist church.  This larger building with its distinctive roof shape (seen in the photo at the top) includes the new sanctuary with a large rear balcony and center peaked roof outlined in a circular fan of beams. Windows march around the top of the walls where they meet the ceiling, emphasizing its octagon shape.

1962 Addition The Bridge bought St. Clara-in-the-Cove Anglican Church (See blog post 4/3/11.) in 2014. The church is used for office space as Sunday services continue to be held at Capilano University Centre for the Performing Arts. Sign at 2014 Church

Photos: Taken by Suzanne Wilson.
See Blog Posts 3/17/13 and 4/3/11.

Prayer

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

                                                                                              October 26, 2014

246 Ingram Street

Duncan United Church
Duncan, B.C. Canada

"Duncan (pop. 4,932) is a city on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is the smallest city by area (2.07 square kilometres, 0.8 square miles) in the nation.^[1] 

"The city is about 50 kilometres from both Victoria to the south and Nanaimo to the north.

"Although the City of Duncan has a population of just under 5000, it serves the Cowichan Valley which has a population of approximately 80,000, many of whom live in North Cowichan contiguous with Duncan. This gives Duncan a much larger "greater" population than that contained within the strict city limits. People in areas of North Cowichan bordering on Duncan usually use "Duncan" as their mailing city.

"Duncan is the seat of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. The name "Cowichan" is an anglicization of Halkomelem Quw'utsun', which means "the warm land".

^{"Duncan's tourism slogan is "The City of Totems". The city has 80 totem poles around the entire town, which were erected in the late 1980s. (Link 2.)}

Stained Glass Window from Exterior

Stained Glass Window from Exterior

"A fascinating chronicle of the history of Duncan United can be found in our sixteenstained glass windows, thirteen in the sanctuary and the other three elsewhere in the building.  Crafted by artisans from England to the Cowichan Valley, every one has a story to tell.

Maple Bay

"In 1858, the Methodist Church sent a party of missionaries from Toronto to Western Canada. On the coast, most travel was by boat and, in 1869, the Methodist Missionaries held the first week-long "Camp Meeting" in British Columbia on the beach at Maple Bay. Soon after, the first church was constructed by volunteers, a log building lined with tongue and groove lumber.

"The first resident minister arrived in 1873 and preached at Maple Bay, South Cowichan and Somenos one week and at Burgoyne, Vesuvius and the Midnight Settlement on Saltspring Island on the alternate Sunday. Travel to these points was by horseback and rowboat.

"The second Maple Bay Church was erected in 1893 and later was converted to a home, which still stands on Herd Road. The last service at this church was held in November 1930, at which time the congregation was welcomed by Duncan United Church.

Somenos

"Somenos Methodist Church was built in 1878 and operated until 1928, when better roads made travel easier and members could travel to Duncan. The Municipality of North Cowichan bought the adjoining property and later took over the Methodist portion of the cemetery, now known as Mountain View Cemetery.

Alderlea Methodist Church

"By 1890, as the railway drew the population toward the settlement at "Duncans", a gathering was held at a home on Ingram Street, near the location of the present church. Over the next few months a decision was made to purchase property (for $25.) and erect a church on the lot at the corner of Ingram and Jubilee Streets. In July 1891, the congregation moved into their new home and in 1892, the interior was completed and painted. The total cost of the church was $797.10.

Duncan United Church

"The time of church union in 1925 generated much discussion and, although Alderlea Methodist voted solidly for Union, there were a large number of non-concurring members at St. Andrews Presbyterian. In the end, those members who voted for Union joined with the Alderlea congregation, while a government appointed Commission awarded St. Andrews church and contents to the non-concurring members for a sum of $250.00. It was agreed that in the best interest of Union, both ministers should leave and the new "Duncan United Church of Canada" called Rev. W.F. Burns in 1926.

"Rev. Burns' ministry of twenty years took the congregation through many difficult times, including "the Hungry 30s" and World War II. He was much loved and is remembered as "a citizen of Duncan and a friend to all" on a plaque in the church hall bearing his name. The "Good Shepherd" stained glass window in the sanctuary was donated in memory of Rev. Burns.

Duncan United Church Grows

Heritage Hall

"When the church hall burned down in 1935, it was replaced by the hall now known as Heritage Hall. After the burning of the mortgage in 1939, a fund was started towards building of a new church.

"The opening service for the new Duncan United Church was held on Wednesday, December 3rd, 1941, with the first Sunday service held on December 7, the day Pearl Harbour was bombed.

"After the war, a great influx of people resulted in crowding of hospitals, schools and churches in the area. In 1949, the Young Adults extended the hall - now the stage, Thrift Store and basement.

"In 1954, the church was lengthened to increase the seating capacity. This addition included an office (now the minister's office) and meeting space on the lower floor.

"In 1960, the church purchased the property just to the north of the hall, now the parking lot. Duncan United is located near to Duncan's former Chinatown and the property was the site of a laundry run by Mr. Jack Wong. A provision of the sale was that he would continue to rent the buildings from us and for three years, Duncan United Church was in the laundry business.

"In 1964, another building project was undertaken as the space between the church and the hall was developed to create the Christian Education Centre. This created Burns Hall, the office and nursery as well as room in the basement for the Sunday School's Primary department.

Sunday Worship 10:00 am

"In 2001, the sanctuary was renovated, replacing carpets, painting and reconfiguring the chancel area. As our worship style focuses more on including the children and lay people of our congregation, this new area accommodates our music team, dramas and other special activities." (Link 1.)

Note: September 1971 to June 1972, Suzanne Wilson and her family lived on Somenos Road in Duncan and attended Duncan United Church .

Photos: Taken in August 2014 by SW.

Link 1: http://www.duncanunited.org/
Link 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan,_British_Columbia

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                         October 19, 2014

515 West Windsor Road

North Shore Pacific Grace MB Church
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

" The original chapel at 515 West Windsor Road and Sunday School rooms were constructed in 1955...and (it was) established as Delbrook Baptist Church  (REF.) The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives indicates that a$27,000 permit was issued to build it.

"Before 1997, the only Chinese church presence on the North Shore (North Vancouver and West Vancouver) was some small Bible study groups. In October 1996, Pacific Grace Mennonite Brethren and Burnaby Pacific Grace Chinese churches in Vancouver received an invitation from some of their members on the North Shore to begin an outreach ministry there. Following an evangelistic Christmas lunch in 1996, several programs were initiated. In the next half-year, through evangelistic meetings, Bible study classes and home visits, 13 people accepted Christ. In June 1997, a team visited 200 homes in one week, inviting local residents to attend a musical evangelistic meeting on the weekend. About 100 people attended, and four accepted Christ.

"In January 1998, a core group of families from the two Pacific Grace churches began weekly Sunday worship services and various fellowship meetings for adults, youth, young working adults, post-secondary students and children. At Thanksgiving 1998, the group formally registered as the North Shore Pacific Grace Mennonite Brethren Church, with 32 charter members. The congregation joined the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in May 1999.

"The church has had its share of difficulties. The worship service location changed a number of times in its history, and many activities have had to be conducted in homes because the church has no permanent meeting place. But God has used these home meetings as stepping stones to bring in new families living nearby. To Wang-Hui served as pastor of the church from its inception until July 2005, when he resigned for health reasons.  Abraham Lau became pastor of the congregation in November of that year. (Link 1.)

2013 Sign at The Bridge Baptist Church

2014 Sign at the North Shore Pacific Grace MB Church

 North Shore Pacific Grace MB Church rented space in The Bridge Baptist Church at 515 Windsor Road  for 15 years.  Then in 2014  they purchased it. During the rental a sign indicated  separate services are in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. (Link 3.)

See Blog Post 3/17/13, The Bridge Church.

Photos: Taken by Suzanne Wilson.

Link 1: http://gameo.org/index.php?title=North_Shore_Pacific_Grace_Mennonite_Brethren_Church_(North_Vancouver,_British_Columbia,_Canada)