IN SEARCH OF OUR OWN CHURCH HOME

Sunday School Picnic, 1934 style!

With the Anglicans firmly settled into their own church building, the Presbyterian Church of Canada took the remaining Protestants of the Squamish Valley under its wing. Mr. Matheson, a Theology student from Queen's College, Kingston, Ontario, was appointed to serve Squamish, or Newport as it was then known, for the summer months.  Services were held in the school building, a two room wooden framed building which had been constructed on the west side of Third Street, almost directly across the lane behind the present Christian Education Centre. In 1914, Mr. Matheson was replaced by another student from Queen's, a Mr. Corkill, who served the Squamish community until he enlisted in the First World War.

During the next few years, services were taken by Mr. Robert Young, a lay member of the Presbyterian Church, and by Mr. William Mashiter, a lay member of the Anglican Church.  A number of students from Westminster Hall, the Presbyterian Theological College in Vancouver, also travelled to Squamish to hold Sunday Services. Among these travelling ministers-in-training were J.C. Goodfellow, J.L. Clerihue, D. Donaldson, A.C. Smith and H.M. Rae.

The first Sunday School in Squamish itself was started by Robert Young.  He served as Superintendent, assisted by Mr. William McNeil. This Sunday School also included the Anglican children until 1927, when aa second Sunday School was started in the Anglican church.  When the new Mashiter School was opened, the Presbyterians continued to hold services in the unused school building 1919, when Dr. N.J. Paul returned from overseas and purchased the structure for his home.  During the next two years, services moved to the Rex Theatre, now the Howe Sound Business Centre.

The search for a permanent church home was begun by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church. On August 12, 1913, they had founded a Ladies Aid.  Approximately thirty ladies were charter members,  including Miss Jean Matheson (later Mrs. Jimmy Neil), Mrs. H.A. Munro, Mrs. H. McNeill, Mrs. M. Bazley, Mrs. Minnie Armstrong, Mrs. Charles Lamport and Mrs. Frank Scott. The first president was Mrs. Hume, with Miss Matheson as Treasurer and Mrs. Ludke as Secretary. These ladies were responsible for renovations to the old school building, and also purchased the first Communion Service. In addition, they found money to pay the students who came from Vancouver to hold Sunday services.  In 1916, they decided to start a Building Fund, and a year later gave $60.00 to the Board of Managers for the purchase of a lot just north of the present Christian Education Centre.

Due to the demands of numerous war aid activities, the Ladies Aid recessed for the next two years. However, they were reorganized in 1919, under the presidency of Mrs. Art Young. One year later, with Mrs. Jessie Bazley as president, they asked Mr. Frank Scott to prepare plans for a church building. By 1921, Mr. Scott had built the main portion of the present Annex on a lot to the north of the present Christian Education Centre.  The vestibule and rear of the building were added much later. The ladies contributedan initial $300.00 to the Building Fund, and later provided another $125.00 to reduce the debt.  In addition, they contributed furnishings and other improvements.  At last the Squamish Presbyterian Church had a home of its own!

Squamish United Church.  On a wintry day in 1933, the old church stands amidst the frozen meadows, with the Chief in the distance.  Photo courtesy of Leslie Keith.


 

The great flood of 1940.  Looking from our church towards the old Anglican Church on Sixth Street.  Photo courtesy of Leslie Keith.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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