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authority records
Person · 1959-2011

In 1959, Dr. George E. Darby became the first Hospital Coordinator for all of the United Church hospitals in Canada. Dr. Darby had just retired after forty-five years of service as the Medical Superintendent of the R.W. Large Memorial Hospital at Bella Bella. The Hospital Superintendent’s position was part time, reporting to the Board of Home Missions at the General Council office in Toronto. Dr. Darby died suddenly in 1962, and was succeeded by Dr. W. Donald Watt, who had previously been the Superintendent of Bella Coola General Hospital. Watt’s title was changed to “Superintendent of Hospitals and Medical Missionary Work,” and the position became full time. In 1972, the Board of Home Missions was incorporated into the new Division of Mission in Canada, to whom the Superintendent now reported.

In 1987, Dr. Watt retired and was succeeded by Dr. Peter J. Newbery. When Dr. Newbery took over the position, the title was changed to “Director of United Church Health Services.” In the late 1990s, oversight for the remaining United Church hospitals in British Columbia was moved to BC Conference, and the Director reported to the BC Conference Executive Secretary. Dr. Newbery remained as the Director until he was succeeded by Dr. Ray McIlwain in 2001. Dr. McIlwain had joined the R.W. Large Memorial Hospital in 1974, acting as its Administrator from 1979 to 1981 before becoming the Administrator at Bella Coola General Hospital. Dr. McIlwain stepped down as Director at the end of 2004. Dr. Newbery took up the role of Acting Director until November 2007 when Dr. David Arnold took over as Director. In 2008, the United Church Health Services incorporated into the United Church Health Services Society (UCHSS); the title of the position changed to “Medical Director” and reported to the UCHSS Board. In October 2011, Dr. Arnold stepped down as Medical Director. Thereafter the position was not filled; rather, each hospital in B.C. had its own medical director reporting to the UCHSS. In 2016, the Wrinch Memorial Hospital, the last of the United Church hospitals in B.C. was turned over to Vancouver Coastal Health.

Newbery, Peter J.
Person · [194-?]-

Dr. Peter James Newbery was ordained as a United Church minister in 1966. He graduated from McMaster University in 1976 with a medical degree. In 1987, he became the Medical Director for United Church Health Services.

Corporate body · 1859-1925

Metropolitan Methodist Church was originally known as Pandora Avenue Methodist Church, founded in 1859. Services began in the Victoria police barracks in February, 1859. In May, 1860, Pandora Street Methodist Church was opened and dedicated at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Broad Street. This church was expanded in 1872, but by the 1890s it was too small. New property was purchased, and a new church building was opened in May, 1891. At that point, the congregation changed its name to Metropolitan Methodist Church. Metropolitan Methodist Church entered church union in 1925, becoming Metropolitan United Church. At church union in 1925, the congregation became Metropolitan United Church.

Corporate body · 1925-1997

Metropolitan United Church was created in 1925 when Metropolitan Methodist Church entered church union. The building, constructed in 1891, was located at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Quadra Street. Shortly after union, First Congregational Church joined Metropolitan United. In 1997, Metropolitan amalgamated with First United Church to form First Metropolitan United Church, making its home at the former First United on Balmoral Road at Quadra Street. The Metropolitan United Church building was sold to the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Corporate body · 1997-

First Metropolitan United Church resulted from the amalgamation of two historic Victoria churches in 1997: Metropolitan United Church, with Methodist and Congregational roots, and First United Church, with Presbyterian roots. The former First United church building became the home of the new First Metropolitan United Church. The former Metropolitan United Church building was sold to the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Powell River United Church
Corporate body · 1925-

The first religious service at Powell River was conducted on July 11, 1910, by Rev. A. McCauley of the Presbyterian Logger’s Mission. McCauley visited Powell River and held a Sabbath evening public worship service where four hundred were present. On September 19, 1911, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a church society and securing a resident pastor. The Rev. G.A. Watson became the first minister of St. John's Presbyterian Church. The congregation became part of The United Church of Canada at the time of church union in 1925. In 1968, Westview and St. John’s congregations joined to become St. John’s–Westview United Church and Cranberry Church remained a separate congregation. The congregation is now known as Powell River United Church.

Corporate body · 1968-1989

From 1928 St. John's was a "parent" pastoral charge to the districts of Westview, Cranberry and Wildwood. Construction of Cranberry Church was started at this time. The Westview services were held in the annex of Westview School. In January 1933, it was decided to operate the churches under the constitution of The United Church of Canada. The Westview Church built its church hall in October 1933. The St. John's and Westview pastoral charges shared the same ministers until July 1941. From 1946, congregations of Westview and Cranberry met in Westview United Church. A new church building was dedicated at Westview in April 1951. The church was badly gutted by fire in August 1954 and rebuilt in 1955. A change took place in 1968; Westview and St. John’s congregations joined to become St. John’s-Westview United Church and Cranberry Church remained a separate congregation. It is last mentioned in the United Church Year Book in 1988.

Corporate body · 1898-1925

About 1898, Wesley Methodist Church (Vancouver, B.C.) established a mission in the Collingwood district of Vancouver. Services were conducted in homes, then in Carleton Hall. In 1903, the Methodist church building on Kingsway was completed a short distance east of Joyce Road. In 1926, Collingwood Methodist and Knox Presbyterian (both of which had become United Church congregations in 1925) amalgamated to form Collingwood United Church.

Corporate body · 1926-1995

Collingwood United Church is rooted in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and Wesley Methodist congregations (now St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church).

St. Andrew’s church first established a Sunday school at Central Park, which eventually grew into a large congregation. In 1895, the congregation was divided into east and west of Central Park; the west of Central Park organized Collingwood East, St. Andrew’s, whereas those in the east organized Henderson Presbyterian (Burnaby) and Knox Presbyterian (Collingwood District). In 1913, a new building was built at the corner of Joyce and School Streets.

About 1898, Wesley Methodist Church established a mission in Collingwood. Services were conducted in homes, then in Carleton Hall. In 1903, the Methodist church building on Kingsway was completed a short distance east of Joyce Road.

In 1926, Collingwood Methodist and Knox Presbyterian amalgamated to form Collingwood United Church. A year later, the church hall (gymnasium) was constructed. In 1931, the church proper was enlarged and renovated. A new church was built and dedicated in 1957 at the former location of Knox Presbyterian church, Joyce and School Streets. Collingwood joined Fraserview and Wilson Heights in 1995 to form a three point charge. The pastoral charge name was changed to Wilson Heights United Church in 1998, and was recognized as a single point charge.

Corporate body · 1958-

In 1953, the area south of the Oakridge neighbourhood of Vancouver was growing and the Metropolitan Council for Church Extension purchased property at 54th Avenue and Heather Street with a view to establishing a new United Church congregation there. Survey work was done in the area, and in June 1958 a congregation was constituted, and an inaugural service was held at Trinity Baptist Church, where the St. Stephen's United Church continued to meet until November 1958. In November the congregation examined the results of their survey work and decided to suspend all activities until they could find a more favourable location for their development. In June of 1960, a portable church building was erected at 52nd Avenue and Oak Street. This was the home of the newly restarted St. Stephen's congregation for three years. In November 1960, the congregation purchased new property at the corner of 54th Avenue and Granville Street. In January 1962, the congregation voted to proceed with the building project, and Presbytery endorsed this action in June. The new church building was dedicated in November 1964.

Corporate body · 1925-1958

Zion United Church had its roots in the American Presbyterian Church. In 1892, a church building was opened at Princess St. and Jackson Avenue. In 1898, the congregation merged with First Presbyterian Church at Gore and Hastings (now First United). Former Zion members left and re-organized as Knox Independent Presbyterian Church, and bought the old First Presbyterian Church building at Main and Cordova Streets. In 1902, the church members entered the Congregational Church of Canada and became Knox Congregational Church. A new building was opened in 1915 at Broadway and Woodland, and the congregation changed its name to Grandview Congregational Church. The congregation entered Church Union in 1925, as Zion United Church. The Rev. Charles E. Batzold served for 23 years as its first minister. In 1958, Zion and Trinity United Church amalgamated to form Trinity-Zion United Church. The Trinity building was used until a new church could be erected, at which point the name of the congregation was changed to Lakeview United Church.

Corporate body · 1962-

Lakeview Multicultural United Church has its roots in two former United Church congregations: Zion and Trinity. In 1958, they amalgamated to form Trinity-Zion United Church. The Trinity building was used until a new church could be erected, at which point the name of the congregation was changed to Lakeview United Church. In 1988, it changed its name to Lakeview Multicultural United Church.

Corporate body · 1911-[ca. 1970]

The Esquimalt Indian Mission was founded on May 31, 1911 (as Esquimalt Naval and Military Methodist Church). It was located at Jones’ Studio on Esquimalt Road. The first church service was officially held in June 1911. A year later, the property for the church was bought at the corner of Admirals Road and Lyall Street, and was dedicated in 1913, by Rev. Dr. W.J. Sipprell. At one point the church had a congregation of 200 members, and Sunday school was held in the Methodist Soldiers Home. The mission became a United Church mission at church union in 1925. A new Christian Education Hall was dedicated on March 27, 1965.

Corporate body · 1926-2006

Renfrew United Church was constructed in 1926. From this period until 1929 the church depended upon supply ministers and theological students. From 1930 until 1934 Renfrew United Church was part of a two-point charge with Secord United Church. In the spring of 1933 as a result of growing attendance the Church erected a Sunday school building. In 1935 Renfrew United had its own minister however as the Second World War approached there was a shortage of clergy and Renfrew was linked primarily with Beaconsfield from 1936 until 1948. In 1949 Renfrew United Church was part of a two-point charge with Renfrew Heights which was called Renfrew-Renfrew Heights. Renfrew Heights was made a separate charge in 1952 and Renfrew United became self-supporting in 1953. The growing congregation soon outgrew the small Church and a new church was built, and was dedicated on November 14, 1957. During the years 1986 and 1987 the Renfrew Pastoral Charge included a East Vancouver Multicultural congregation.

On January 8, 1989 Renfrew United amalgamated with the Korean United Church calling themselves the Renfrew-Korean Pastoral Charge. In 1994, the amalgamation was dissolved through an act of Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery, and the the two congregations were recognized as equal partners in the single building. A joint oversight committee, consisting of three voting members from each congregation was established to make decisions on issues affecting both congregations. In 2003 the Korean United Church moved from the Renfrew church building to a church building in Burnaby, formerly used by St. Paul's United Church. Renfrew United Church was disbanded in 2006.

Corporate body · 1925-1973

Vancouver Heights United Church was formed in 1925 in Burnaby from the local union of Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church, established in 1911, and Vancouver Heights Methodist Church, established in 1912. In 1973 the congregation disbanded. Throughout its United Church history Vancouver Heights has constituted a single point pastoral charge in Vancouver Presbytery (1925-1959) and Westminster Presbytery (1959-1973).

Corporate body · 1896-

The Japanese Methodist Mission was established in Vancouver in 1896. It fell within the purview of the Home Missions Board until well after WW II, even though the congregation had become self-supporting by 1936. The congregation's first building was constructed in 1907 or 1908 at the corner of Jackson and Powell Streets. It became known as the Powell Street Church. A gymnasium and social hall were added in the 1920s, for which the congregation raised $12,000. The Woman's Missionary Society (WMS) was involved with the Japanese Mission from very early on. They taught kindergarten and home economics at the Mission, held prayer meetings, and raised funds to add to the voluntary contributions of the congregation and Home Missions. The congregation boasted an excellent Sunday school, Tuxis and Explorers groups, Mission Band, and CGIT. The Rev. Dr. Kosaburo Shimizu served the congregation from 1926 to 1942. He introduced many Christian education opportunities within the congregation, established the Young People's Union, introduced monthly English-speaking worship services, and started a relief department providing food and clothing during the Depression of the 1930s. He also helped the congregation achieve self-supporting status.

Members living in Vancouver's Fairview neighbourhood raised enough money, along with a Home Missions grant, to build a second Japanese Church in 1928 (by then part of The United Church of Canada).The Fairview Mission later became known as the Columbia Street Mission (from 1949 on), which was sold in 1977. From 1942 to 1949, the two buildings were used by First United Church, St. Giles, and the WMS. The Powell Street and Columbia Street buildings were held in trust by the Board of Home Missions during the war. In 1953, the Powell St. property was sold. From then on, the Japanese- and English-speaking congregations met in a number of different venues, none of which they owned, beginning with First United Church. In 1958 both Nisei and Issei (Japanese speaking) church members were worshipping in Fairview Church on Columbia. In 1962, they moved to Renfrew United Church. In 1978, the congregation purchased St. Luke’s United Church building.

At its general meeting in May 2009, BC Conference made a statement of Recognition and Apology to the Japanese United Church for the sale of the Powell Street church building 56 years earlier. In June of that year, a Service of Reconciliation took place at the Vancouver Japanese United Church. Early in 2017, the English-speaking congregation disbanded.

Black, Joanne
Person · 1931-2015

Joanne Black was born April 28, 1931 in Saskatoon. She pursued theological studies at the Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained by BC Conference in 1987. She served charges in Bashaw-Mirror, Alberta (1987-1989); First United Church, Prince Rupert (1989-1995); interim at South Arm United Church, Richmond (1995-1996); and at Sharon United in Langley (1996-1997) before retiring. Jo was a life-long feminist and activist, and fought for Indigenous and LGBTQ rights. Joanne Black died on June 5, 2015.

Redman, Reginald A.
Person · 1898-1987

Reginald Alfred Redman was born in northern England in 1898 and came to Canada as a child. He attended the University of British Columbia and Union College, and was ordained in 1926 by BC Conference of The United Church of Canada. During his ministry, he served the following pastoral charges: Port Alberni (1926-1929); Hatzic (1930-1931); Grace, Vancouver (1932-1936); Chilliwack United (1937-1948); First United, Vancouver (1949-1953); and Marpole, Vancouver (1955-1962). After retirement in 1962, he served as retired supply in Tsawwassen until 1965. He also served as Field Secretary (British Columbia and Alberta) for the Lord's Day Alliance in 1954-1955. Redman died December 12, 1987.

Corporate body · 1925-1992

The Chinese United Church in Vancouver had its roots in the Methodist Church. In 1888, a Mrs. M. Monck, daughter of pioneer missionary Rev. Ebeneezer Robson, began teaching English classes to Chinese students in her father’s home. In November of that year, Mr. Chan Sing Kai, who had worked in the Wesleyan Methodist School in Hong Kong for the previous eight years, arrived in Vancouver to set up a mission. After three years, he was ordained by the Methodist Church in Canada. The mission initially met in small quarters near Hastings and Abbott, then relocated to quarters on the south-east corner of Hastings and Columbia Streets. As the mission outgrew its space, it moved to 186 Pender Street West, in the heart of Chinatown. A new building was completed at 531 Beatty Street in 1906; it contained a chapel that would accommodate 300, rooms for Sunday school, and a night school. At church union in 1925, the mission joined The United Church of Canada. Shortly after union, and to better serve the needs of the Chinese community (which had begun to shift eastward), the congregation relocated to the corner of Pender Street and Dunlevy Avenue. The new church building and Christian Education Centre were dedicated on December 3, 1929. For nearly 70 years, the mission relied on the Board of Home Missions and the Woman’s Missionary Society for financial support and leadership, and was known as the Chinese Mission, United Church of Canada. As it worked toward full self-support, which it achieved in 1955, it became known as the Chinese United Church. The congregation officially amalgamated with Chown United Church on April 14, 1992, becoming Chown Memorial and Chinese United Church, located at 3519 Cambie Street.