Submitted to the Observer by Honey Affleck
The history of St. John’s Anglican Church is a long, care-filled one
The first Tribute to the Past chronicled the journey that St. John’s has taken from its conception in 1911.
The commitment of its clergy and parishioners throughout the years has been a testament as to the tenacity of those determined to perpetuate their desire to continue their worship to the glory of God and for the greater good.
As the world has evolved over the last 110 years, so has the church. St John’s has endured the same issues as many other traditional churches; lack of attendance, diminishing financial support, and the loss of the younger generation attending services.
As one looks back at the history of our church, it is amazing how many people supported the church and its endeavours … from regular Sunday services to specific projects to fundraising for outreach in the community.
St. John’s has always had a commitment to the community. The church and its people have financially supported the church community as well as Quesnel. for more than a hundred years.
This still happens in to the 21st Century.
Today’s parishioners hold fundraisers like Christmas teas, garage sales, antique sales and bake sales to raise much-needed funds for those in need. Looking back on old newspaper articles, it is easy to see how St. John’s has been a very large part of Quesnel’s history.
Tribute to the Past has chronicled the early part of St. John’s history around, and up to, the 1920’s. Our contribution to the second Tribute to the Past will attempt to record the last century of St. John’s Anglican Church for posterity.
The original church, built in 1911, was destroyed by fire in July 1925. The history of St. John’s continues in 1926 when the foundation stone was laid by Rev. Samuel Pollinger. The Priest in Charge was Rev. W.F. Lack.
Consecration of the church was held on Sunday, May 24, 1926 by the Right Reverend Adam Urias De Pencier, Lord Bishop of New Westminster and acting Bishop of the Cariboo.
In 1967, Mavis Goodman put together a scrapbook of the doings at the church. This scrapbook was to celebrate Canada’s centennial and included newspaper articles, photos, and letters from former Rectors and members of the Congregation. This truly was a work of love to collect and preserve memories from 1911 to 1967. Without the aid of social media and the internet it was certainly no small feat.
The 70s saw many confirmations and christenings as new people came to our community.
The 80s continued on with the core base of parishioners, much younger then, carrying on the volunteering and helping with the general duties of keeping our church running.
The last decade of the 20th Century was upon us and at this point in time, the ACW raised money to install a Rose Window in St. John’s. This is very visible to all and any as they pass St. John’s.
On Sept. 15, 1996, St. John’s celebrated its 85th Anniversary with a re-dedication.
From the first service held in a local barn, through the fire of 1925, where the church was relocated, rebuilt, to the present-day celebration of 85 years of continuous service, St. John the Divine Anglican Church has an impressive history.
St John’s started off the new century with a full slate of officers on Parish Council. Several of those same names can be found on the 2020 Parish Council.
In 2007 a special place for peace and contemplation was constructed, as the Serenity Garden came in to being. Everything was donated from plants, rocks, and tree falling. Later on, parishioners were asked to donate paving stones and benches.
In 2014 Reverend Margot Rose was canonized, a very special honour for a special person who has contributed to the well-being of our church for many years.
St John’s hosted an assembly in 2019, with soon-to-be retired Primate Fred Hiltz in attendance. Members and guests also spent a day in Barkerville to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the building of St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in Barkerville.
As the world began its next decade, everything in our church world came to an abrupt halt. No more church services, no more special events, no more fundraising!
Still under Covid restrictions, St. John’s held their Annual General Meeting by Zoom in 2021 with resolutions and directives being mailed to parishioners. Elections for Parish Council were handled in the same manner with parishioners voting by mail. It is a new and different world in which we live.
As 2022 makes its way into the next decade, we continue to be a casualty of Covid -19. However, St. John’s continues to be a contributing community member.
May we still be around in the next 20-30-40 years to see our church, and its good deeds, survive and overcome all the trials and tribulations which we have encountered over the last 110 years.
NOTE: this article is an excerpt from St. John the Divine Anglican Church’s submission to the new “Tribute to the Past”. St John’s celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2021 and this was part of a presentation to our congregation and visitors as we held a celebration of this year.
READ MORE: Giving back to those who need it in Quesnel
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