History
Saint Thomas Anglican Church was built on its present site over 100 years ago, and has been a gathering place for Christian worship, spiritual nurture, and outreach ever since.
The parish welcomed its first rector in 1914, and soon had to construct a Sunday School building to accommodate the growing number of families joining the congregation. In 1955, St. Thomas celebrated the completion of an expansion to the church building and the opening of the church hall which stands today.
Planning began in the fall under Rev. G.H. Wilson of St Michael’s Church. Mr. W.T. Clarke donated a plot at the corner of St. Margarets Street and Janes Road (now 41st Ave). Building materials were also donated and most of the labour given voluntarily. Any remaining costs were covered by a mortgage of $700.
January 7
The first service was held on a Sunday evening and attended by 175 people. It was conducted by Venerable Archdeacon Pentreath, D.D. and Rev. G.E.Wilson, M.A. The collection amounted to $14.50. The average attendance at regular services during the early months was fifty, twenty of whom were communicants.
January 12
Vestry meeting at 9pm with Rector of St. Michaels presiding.
January 14
First Sunday school held with 31 students
January 29
Vestry meeting at 9pm with Rector of St. Michaels presiding.
February 4
First Baptismal service held, the following were baptized:
Lillian Cleasby, Emmeline Wooley, Elizabeth Jan McCall, Mary Knight, & Harold Boyce
February 8
First dedication service by Right Rev A.U. de Pencier, Lord Bishop of New Westminster, assisted by Rev G.H.Wilson. Choirmaster Mr. A. Gittins
April 10
First Easter vestry meeting, the regular services average attendance was 50 people and 20 communicants.
The parish went through a particularly difficult period during those war years. The Municipality of South Vancouver went bankrupt and more than half the shops in the neighbourhood were closed. Things did begin to brighten somewhat by 1919; the men returned from the Front, more money began to circulate and the shops began to re-open.
November 27
During WW1 the Bishop endeavoured to combine the parishes of St Thomas and St Luke under one rector which was strongly resisted by the members of St Thomas. In the end, the Bishop appointed Rev. L.C. Luckraft as the sole rector of St Thomas and later on, during a time of emergency, he did take responsibility for St Luke.
1914 – 1916 Rev J.D. MacKenzie-Naughten
1916 – 1920 Rev L.C. Luckraft
1920 – 1924 Rev J.E. Godsmark
1924 – 1928 Rev W.W. Williams
* Williams first contact with the parish was in 1911, when he joined a group from St. Michaels to clear the land for the building site.
1928 – 1938 Rev W.E. Gilbert
1938 – 1943 Rev R.E.W. Biddell
1943 – 1951 Rev Frank Butler
1951 – 1956 Rev C.W. Bryce
* Bryce resigned in order to accept a position as Chaplain in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces
1956 – 1963 Rev A.L. Davies
1963 – 1969 Rev E.D. Eldridge
1969 – 1972 Rev L.O.Curran
1972 – 1974 Rev T.M. Burke
1975 Priest-in-Charge for 7 mo. Canon C.E. Reeve
1975 Oct 1 Rev Eric Lowe
During the 1920’s a new Sunday school building was erected, the chancel was completed, the church re-roofed and placed on a cement foundation, and a new heating plant was installed.
January 7
The parish celebrated it 25th anniversary in 1937. St Thomas also became debt-free this year.
In 1927, the parish became self-supporting and, for many years, rented a house for the rector. In 1945, a rectory was built on the current site using borrowed money. The mortgage was burned by Bishop Gower on Jan 21, 1953.
June 15
In 1953 the parish began the planning of a new parish hall and enlargement of the church with a total estimated cost of $53,000. The Diocese graciously gave a grant of $5,000 and also a large loan. In early 1955, the building programme was started and the building dedicated on June 15th by Bishop Gower.
The church was consecrated by Bishop Gower on December 3rd.
January 7
The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary. A pipe organ was installed in 1963 as a special fiftieth anniversary project at a cost of $400.
January 7
St. Thomas begins a foster childrens program.
In the 1950’s a new neighbouring parish, St. Timothy’s, developed. This closed down in 1971 and a number of its members joined St Thomas.
January 7
In the parish’s 65th anniversary year, major renovations were done to the church, parish hall and the rectory.
1980
The parish's existing rectory was demolished.
New Instruments
1983
A new Yamaha piano was acquired.
1987
St Thomas celebrated it's 75th anniversary. Archbishop Hambridge dedicated a Rodgers Organ replacing the cherished pipe organ.
September 1
The current rectory was built and occupied in September of 1992.
Additional renovations were made to the worship space.
March
Start of renovations to update the building making it more accessible to all communities. Planned improvements include an elevator accessing all floors, commercial grade kitchen and accessible washrooms.
During this time St. Thomas' worships at First Lutheran Church who generously allowed St. Thomas to celebrate the Anglican Rite every second Sunday.
February
As the renovation timeline gets extended, the parish moves into Southview Terrace for Sunday service. Wednesday service continues to be at First Lutheran.
November 24
After almost two years of renovations the accessibility project is finished and parishioners are back in the building. The day was celebrated with a toast and cake.
May 3
In accordance with provincial guidelines the parish building was closed and worship is taken online using Zoom and livestreaming.
April 6
The Association of Neighbourhood House's of BC and the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House awards St. Thomas the 2020 corporate Good Neighbour Award.
August 30
First Sunday back in the building as a parish as Covid-19 provincial restrictions are relaxed by the Province and the Diocese.