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History behind Trinity United Church
 The
journey of Trinity United Church in Kitsilano began in 1992,
when two smaller United Churches amalgamated. One of the buildings
(St. James) was transformed into a much needed community centre
for the neighborhood. The other became Trinity United Church,
the centre for worship and ministry.
However, the vision was not yet complete. The congregation began discussions with St. Mark's Anglican Church (across the street) about sharing a
ministry and a building. This vision became a reality in June of 1996. At this time with renovations completed, the two congregations moved to the present location
(SW corner of 2nd and Larch). We now share this beautiful place of worship together.
1913
May 25th, 1913 the First Congregational Church opened at 11th
Avenue and Trafalgar Road. Reverend A.E. Cook was the first
minister from 1913 -1916. He was a pioneer of church radio broadcasts.
1913 - 1920
The First Congregational Church closed between 1916 and 1920.
1920
The church at 11th Avenue and Trafalgar was re-opened as Kitsilano
Union Church. From 1920 -1927 the minister was Reverend J. H.
Cameron
1925
Kitsilano Union Church entered the United Church Union. The
name was changed to Trafalgar Road United Church. The Manse
was built. Legeers became active members for the next 55 years
1927
The mortgage was burned.
1928
Trafalgar Road United Church moved from 11th Ave. and Trafalgar
to 10th and Trutch. It was renamed St. James United Church.
The opening ceremonies were June 17, 1928.
From 1927 -1932 the minister was Rev. J.R. Robertson.
From 1932 - 1937 the minister was Rev. Alfred Wilson.
1937 - 1940
There were many financial difficulties during the depression
years. The Organist was not paid. Men of the congregation did
the caretaking. From 1937 -1940 the minister was Rev. Evan Baker.
1940
Mr. & Mrs. Art Newell transfer their membership to St. James
United Church. From July 1940 - June 1941 the minister was Rev.
Francis Stevens.
1941
Mr.& Mrs. Williamson become members. From July 1941 - August
1952 the minister was Rev. W. E. Galloway
1942
Mr. Tapp became leader of Boy Scouts. Meeting of Session held
every three months. Church group present plays.
1943 - 1949
Member joining Church - Mr. & Mrs. E.A. Lee, Alice Smith, Mr.
& Mrs. Walter Bavis, Mrs. T. H. Puttomen, Betty Newell, Mrs.
Betsworth, Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Rockliffe.
1946
Gift of $1,000 - Minshall Electric Organ was purchased.
1952
Betty Newell starts choir. Members joining - Mr. & Mrs. K. Carruthers,
Catherine Ross, Mr. & Mrs. Stonier. From 1952 - 1960 the minister
was Rev. Thos. Oliver.
1953
Members joining - Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Boyd, Mr.& Mrs. Cowley, Mrs.
Elaine Gibbens, Mrs. Margaret Thomas, Mr.& Mrs. W. Woods, John
Woods C. Lorimer asked to be relieved of position of Superintendent
of Sunday School so her could take a University course. The
church was free of debt.
1954
Contract let for extension of church on the north to 10th Avenue.
Church closed during renovations. Services held in Simmons &
McBride Funeral parlors, and Kitsilano United Church hall.
1955
New church was dedicated February 10th by Rev. R. Cunningham,
minister of St. Andrews Wesley. Cost of building, $86,000. Membership
was up to 429 over the next two years.
1957
The mortgage was burned.
1958
Gwen and John Crowe form St. James players. Women's Association
started with 7 circles and 174 members.
1960
Church membership 766, Sunday School 514. Contract let to Horie
Construction, Mr. Arvid Hanna, contractor, to build Christian
Education Building. Four lots west of the church were purchased.
Ted Russell, Chairman of the Building Committee. Christian Education
Building dedicated September 15, 1960.
Rev Oliver resigns, Dr. Douglas Telfer interim minister.
1961
Church Membership 744. Explorers, Senior Friendship Group formed
Betty Newell conducts Jr. and Intermediate choirs alternately
at 9:30 services. Y.P.U., C.G.I.T., Hi C., A.O.T.S. Couple,
Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts. Memorial held for Rev. Galloway.
Sunday School Superintendents - Janet Dickie and Jon Jessiman.
From 1961 -1969 the minister was Rev. Bill Burgess.
1962
Women's Auxiliary and Women's Missionary Society amalgamated
to form United Church Women.
1963
Al McKenzie brought roll up to date, 624 members. Sunday School
436, staff of 70. May 3, Golden Anniversary of church dinner.
St. James Players change name to United Players. Thirty-five
families move away.
1964
New organ console and extra pipes installed at cost of $3,497.
1966
Church membership 610. United Church Women's membership 125,
7 units. Rev. Burgess conducted 42 weddings and 53 funerals.
Fred Fisher Chairman of Stewards.
1967
First women, Mrs. D Lowe, and Mrs. Edna Cowely Serve as elders.
32 Elders. Vote to cancel evening service. Discussion to omit
"amen" at end of hymns. Wilf Wood caretaker, Margaret Foster
Sunday School Superintendent. Memorial F. Williamson
1968
Jon Jessiman become lay delegate to General Council for Vancouver-Burrard
Presbytery, and Rev. Burgess became ministerial delegate for
the same council. Eleven young people joined the church by profession
of faith. Church School - 173. First women serve communion
1969
Church School membership - 158. Rev. Alastair Macleod had an
exceptional ability for remembering names, and visited sick
and shut-ins. Syd Jacques reported 30 calls made to sick and
shut-ins in one month. Experimental youth service tried. Irene
Lomax leader of Explorers.
From 1969 -1979 the minister was Rev. Alastair MacLeod.
1970
Membership dropped as Greek families moved into district and
attended Greek Orthodox Church. Day care started under chairmanship
of Ted Russell. Considered best in the city. Administration
of church changed from Session and Stewards to Council.
1971
Discussion on union with Anglicans. Noted that ten elders had
been with the session for fifteen or more years. Mrs. Williamson
gave 300 hymn books as a memorial. Homecoming services held.
Grand piano dedicated as memorial to Charles Lorimer's parents.
Jimi Fisher co-Chairman of Council.
1973
Sunday School membership - 58. Sixtieth Anniversary service.
New Roof, costing &1,900 financed by selling shingles at $32
each. Youth worker for summer travelers sponsored. Hostel held
at St. John Anglican Church. Ken Foster acted as treasurer and
liaison between St. John and hostel. Funds from Metropolitan
Council and Koerner Foundation assisted in youth worker for
Kitsilano area churches. Heating plant installed. Banners made
for the church.
1974
Sunday School membership - 45. Jon Jessiman elected President
of Conference for 1974-75. First lay person and youngest president
of hold this position. Josh Haqq on Stewardship & Property.
1975
Membership down to 300. Fiftieth Anniversary of United Church
of Canada. Building cost now $162,000, plus interest. Senior
Friendship group disbanded. Jon Jessiman, President of B.C.
Conference, speaker for April 20, gave of %.00 "Talent Money".
$700 netted for M & S and world Hunger. To commemorate 50th
Anniversary of U.C. interviews were taped of old-timers of the
church - Mr. & Mrs. Legeer, Mr. Al McKenzie, Mr. & Mrs. K. Carruthers,
Miss Alice Smith. Mr. & Mrs. Holmgren, Mr. & Mrs. Art Newell
- by committees, groups and individuals. Mrs. E. MacLeod and
member of 9th Brownie pack made two anniversary banners. A national
set of prize-winning banners were displayed in the church in
September.
1976
Active membership 268. Sunday School membership - 54. Angus
Fraser started as organist. Memorials - John Legeer, Mrs. Vi
Tory. Rev A. MacLeod President of Conference, 1976-77.
1977
Nine members join church from Young People's Union. Burning
of Christian Education Building mortgage. Church Council changes
to Board of Management. Manse upgraded. 9;30 am Communion held
on 1st Sunday of each month Good Friday services started. Two
student ministers. First half of the year - Gary Patterson.
Second half - Colin Peterson. Mrs. Frank Williamson helped at
Mortgage Burning ceremony, May 15, and Mrs. Betsworth, 94 looked
on.
1978
Norma Westrom took over Junior Choir. New gowns for Sr. Choir
as memorial to Joyce Byth. Fall Visitation. Day Care assumed
by new Society. Narthex table as memorial to Mr. R. Harrison
Small room bedside office decorated. Hoped it would be used
as a droop-in centre for seniors. Plans started for lift. Audrey
Hope, Education, coordinator.
1979
Active members 276. Banners made by Margo Carrothers, Irene
Lomas, Margaret Fujita, and group of girls. Praying Hands" painted
on window in church. Memorials - Levina Cheng, Russel Carrothers.
Retreats held at Kwo Mais and School of Theology. From 1979
- 1985 the minister was Rev. Irvene Hare.
1980
Church membership 256. Money raised to start lift. Grace McIver
delegate to Youth Parliament. Young people growing up and moving
away. Golf club started.
1981
Resident membership - 200. Lift in action and dedicated in October.
Mrs. Williamson in attendance. $13,000 from congregation, $5,000
from Mrs. Williamson. Royfax electric copier purchased, New
gas furnace in manse. Food Bank, Operation Eyesight, and Giving
Tree started. Irene Lomax, Chairman of Board of Management.
Memorials - Al McKenzie, Syd Wade. Several younger teachers
in Sunday School.
1982
Resident membership - 181. Twenty-four carol books for choir
donated as memorial for Sally Haqq. Several retreats held. Young
people starting back. Ernie McKelvie left as treasurer. Memorials
- Mrs. Jeanne Soule, Bob Nyden.
1983
World Council of Churches. Bina Nelson prepared history and
highlights, and coordinated Host Program. People now responding
better to church. M & S givings up 10%. Memorials - Margaret
Foster, Margaret Milton, Elizabeth Legeer, Frank Stansfield
(on board 25 years). Fans installed in church as memorial to
Frank.
1984
Membership - 171. Ventures in Missions. St. James one of sixty
congregations in whole of Canada to exceed project. Exceeded
by 300%, $44,000 pledged over 5 years, $1,000 given to Giving
Tree at Christmas time. Jon Jessiman nominated for position
of Moderator, runner-up to Dr. Bob Smith. System installed to
help hard-of -hearing - bequest from Wade, McKenzie and Stevens
families. Allan Dicks Memorial Board to record deceased since
1952. United Players 25th Anniversary.
1985
Sunday School -44. Stained glass window dedicated on Father's
Day, June 10, in memory of Art Newell - a worker for St. James
for 40 years. Father's Day Choir. Bell Carillon installed -
Bequest from Maragaret Foster on $15,000 and donation of $3,000
from Ted and Adele Russel. Older children helping in Sunday
School. U.C.W. made $2,000 at bazaar, and $9,000 in thrift sales
for the year. Rev Hare returned December 31.
1986
Resident members - 166. Photographic directory of members made,
Leaflets, mailbox drop at Christmas and Easter. Reg Porter memorial
- electronic work done in church. Tom Johnstone & J. E. Thompson
memorial - purchase of carpet and furniture for church nursery.
Memorials - Wilf Wood, Madeline Wigenton. Angus Fraser Retires.
Beth Jennings, organist. Special Ventures Fund set up by board
of Trustees - $2,500. Sunday school has sale of Doodle Art Calendars.
Pictures drawn by children.
From January 1 - June 30 Rev Gordon Hyde, interim minister. July 1st, Rev Jim Hillson - "To worship God of History is to worship a God who is constantly making all things new."
1987
Adam Con, organist. Sunday School attendance increasing. Bethel
Series started. First part financed from Special Venture Fund.
U.C.W. celebrate 25th Anniversary. Auction and other projects
raise $3,751.20 for special chair for Jennifer Spruston, and
upgrading of washrooms for handicapped.
1988
May 14 & 15 - 75th Anniversary Celebration of St. James United
Church.
1992
Amalgamation of St. James United and Kitsilano United, forming
Trinity United Church.
1993
The covenant was signed between Trinity United and St. Mark's
Anglican.
1995
Trinity United and St. Mark's Anglican jointly provided sanctuary
for an El Salvadoran woman and family for 18 months
1996
Trinity United moved from across the street to the present location,
at 2nd and Larch.
1997
May - Trinity became an Affirming congregation, the first in
B.C. Trinity United received a 'human right award' for its work
of providing sanctuary for the El Salvadoran family.
1998
Trinity became the 7th congregation in North America to affiliate
with Campaign for Secure Dwellings. The current Mission Statement
was re-worded from the 1992 version.
1999
Rev. Dr. Sally Harris was called to be the minister of Trinity
United.
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Friday, July 30, 2010
1805 Larch St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6K 3N9 604-732-3075 -
Sunday Service: 11 a.m.
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