Sunday, September 30, 2012


                                                                                                           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 

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.

Sunday, September 23, 2012


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



Sunday, September 16, 2012

                                                                                                         September 16, 2012

West 13th Street
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church
 1909 


September-Celebrating St. John's
Posthumous
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church 1909
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"By 1909 the congregation had outgrown the 1900 church building.

"By January 9th 1909 the old building (1909 building, See Blog Post  September 2, 2012.) had been moved to the southeast corner of the property, the architect  (for a new church-Honeyman and Curtis-Link 2.) had been contracted and the plans had been presented.  Building costs were estimated at $4,200, with an additional $300 for heat and light....the present church building, (1900 building) ... would then become the parish hall once the new church was built. 


"On March 3rd, 1909 the cornerstone of the new church was laid and opening service was held on July 29th.  During the summer, a cellar was dug out under the church for storage of firewood for winter heating.  A new pipe organ bought for $2,100 was installed and first used on Sunday, November 19th, 1912.  The 1914 Easter attendance was 269. In 1917 the altar and cross and credence table were dedicated.  The mortgage was paid off in 1920. In 1936 a new belfry was constructed and the bell was installed.


Sanctuary 

"In 1958 a $45,000 renovation was proposed.  It was to include: increasing the an increase in the seating capacity by 100, improve choir seating, adding a chapel, and further excavation beneath the church, and organ repair or replacement. 


Chancel Area 1960
(Note altar and choir seating facing center.)

"Early in the morning of February 8th, 1985,...St. John's church was on fire!..The cause of the fire was never officially determined.  It likely was arson-a theory which was strengthened by what appeared to be a kicked in hole in the front door where the fire started....(The) 75 year old building had been destroyed....but the ones (stained glass windows) on the south side had come through virtually unscathed. The eagle lectern, a gift when the church was first built, was blackened and cracked.  It became a symbol  for the parish-singed around the edges but still flying God's word to the people. " (REF.)
The Burned Church, 1985

Sanctuary After the Fire 1985

For the next two years the adjacent Memorial Hall, built in 1948, became the church. 

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.
Reference: Faithful People of God Parish of St. John's North Vancouver
                       by Beth Lawrence.
Link 1: http://memorybc.ca/st-john-evangelist-parish-north-vancouver-b-c-fonds;rad
Link 2: http://www.dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/1522

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

Sunday, September 9, 2012

                                                                                                September 9, 2012

St. John the Evangelist
West 13th and Chesterfield Avenue
1900

September-Celebrating St. John's
Posthumous
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church 1900
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada
"The Church of St. John the Evangelist is a one-storey wood-frame building with a steeply pitched roof, clad in drop siding with shingles in the gable ends. It is the oldest Anglican Church in North Vancouver, (1899/01/01 to 1900/01/01)..." (Link 3) The building was 20 ft. square, had (soft wood floors), a cathedral ceiling, and a stained glass window(s). (Link 4 and REF 1.) "At the east end was a small altar with a tiny room on each side of it-one for the clergy to robe, and a library and storage room." (REF 1.)
"The Church of St. John the Evangelist is of historic value as the first Anglican church to be built on the North Shore of Burrard Inlet, and represents the role of religious organizations in North Vancouver's early years. Services were held in private homes until the church was completed in 1900 and dedicated as a mission church. Typical of pioneer churches, it is a simple vernacular structure built with local materials. Lumber for its construction was obtained from the Moodyville sawmill.... In December of that year it was decided that electric lighting should be installed in the church,...

Sanctuary of St. John's Anglican Church 1900

"Such was the growth of the area that the size of the church congregation had doubled by 1907. This building was enlarged to double its capacity in 1907. (Link 2.) In March 1909, the cornerstone of a new church was laid, and this original building (1900 building) was then used as the church hall (in 1909). The building initially stood at 13th Street and Chesterfield Avenue. (Link 3.)


"After its use as a church, it became a church hall, and later the scout hall.  In 1973 the congregation decided to replace its original church and offered the building as a gift to the city,  if it was moved to a new site.  The arts council recognized the benefits of the building, both for its historical value and as a character space for the arts and asked that it be added to the arts centre by moving it to the site at 3rd and Chesterfield," It is located on West 3rd Street on the campus of Presentation House.

"The church building was moved from (13th) Street down to third and the restoration was completed by a volunteer Building Committee and the Young Canada Works Program. Finally, after replacing the stained glass window,("...the window was rebuilt by the same company which built the original, they still had the templates.-REF 1.) the Anne MacDonald Hall was opened on December 11, 1978.


Anne MacDonald Hall 2000

"The driving force behind the North Vancouver Community Arts Council was its Executive Director, Anne MacDonald, who was honored by having the church building named after her. The City of North Vancouver donated the building and capital funds were raised from the National Museums Program, the BC Community Recreational Facilities Fund, BC Ministry of Recreation and Conservation, Vancouver Foundation, District of North Vancouver, a fire insurance claim and private donations." (Link 1.)

Thank you: To Denise Lysak at Presentation House for additional information
                on the Anne MacDonald Hall.

                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.
                Color exterior photo taken in the year 2000 by SW.
                Color interior photo from Link 5.
Reference 1: Faithful People of God, The First Century of the Parish of St. 
                John's North Vancouver, by Beth Lawrence.
Reference 2: City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994, page 24.
Link1: http://www.phtheatre.org/about-pht/history/
Link 2: http://memorybc.ca/st-john-evangelist-parish-north-vancouver-b-c-fonds;rad
Link 3: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3903733335329433712#editor/target=post;postID=5998881147046277241
Link 4: http://www.artsoffice.ca/arts_directory/facilities_and_venues/directory17.php
Link 5: http://www.phtheatre.org/venue-rentals/anne-mac-donald-studio/


Note: Entire history of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, see Blog Posts:
            1890's Dorman's Shack, 9/2/12.
            1900 Church (1978 Anne MacDonald Hall), 9/9/12.
            1909 Church and 1985 Fire, 9/9/12.
            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


Sunday, September 2, 2012

                                                                                                                   September 2, 2012

Dorman's Shack
East 13th Street at Lonsdale Avenue

September-Celebrating St. John's
Posthumous
Dorman's Shack
North Vancouver, B.C., Canada

New churches often begin in the homes of their parishioners.  This was true of St. John's Anglican Church in 1890 in North Vancouver, B.C.  However, when the congregation outgrew the living rooms of these homes they then moved to an existing building.  In North Vancouver, B.C. this building was called "Dorman's Shack".

A  reference to a building on the corner of East 13th Street and Lonsdale Avenue can be found in the 1885 City Directory at the North Vancouver Archives.  It is described as a "shack on 13th...15 feet square...with a capacity of 25 people."  It was referred to as Dorman's Shack.  Frank Dorman was a brick manufacturer and had a brickyard at Roche Point in North Vancouver.    Even as late as 1910 the Fire Insurance Map shows a "shack" on 13th St. at Lonsdale. (See map above with Dorman's Shack in red.)

It seems that the Anglican Church organized services here in 1890's. (The History of North Vancouver British Columbia Canada, page 10.)  In 1900 they built a frame building on West 13th Street and dedicated it to St. John the Evangelist. (See Blog Post 9//9/12) 

In 1903 the Presbyterian Church also held its first service in Dorman's Shack. (St. Andrews United Church Sunday Bulletin, Feb., 26th 1978. See Blog Post 1/9/11.) In 1904 they built St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on 100 block of East Lower Keith Road. And in 1912 they built St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on the corner of East 10th and St. George's Avenue.  in 1925 this church became St. Andrew's United Church of Canada.  Those Presbyterian's that didn't want to join the United Church moved to the Oddfellows Hall in the old 6th Street Methodist Church on the south-west corner of East 6th Street and St. George's Avenue.  Then in 1934 they built another church at 121 East 12th Street.  In 1952 they joined the St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church congregation to  form the St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's Presbyterian church on West 27th and Chesterfield Avenue. (See  Blog Post 3/3/13.)


Thank you: To congregation members Jim Lawrence, Donna Lawrence, Alison
                         Brookfield, and Linda Harrison for review of this Blog Post.
Photo: Taken of 1910 Fire Insurance Map at the North Vancouver Archives
               by SW.
Reference: Faithful People of God, the first century of the Parish of St. John's 
               North Vancouver, by Beth Lawrence.

Note: Entire history of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, see Blog Posts:
            1890's Dorman's Shack, 9/2/12.
            1900 Church (1978 Anne MacDonald Hall), 9/9/12.
            1909 Church and 1985 Fire, 9/9/12.
            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