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Journey
of a Family Chapter
3: 1951 - 1956
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Archdeacon
H. J. Greig
At the diocesan synod on October 17, 1951, Bishop Gower announced
the appointment of the Reverend H. J. Greig from St. Philip's,
Dunbar, as Archdeacon of Capilano and the first incumbent
at St. Catherine's. Archdeacon Greig had been trained in the
business world before taking Holy Orders. He took full charge
of the parish on Thursday, November 1, 1951, a few days after
the dedication of the new building.
The congregation had a double cause for celebration that day;
St. Catherine's became a mission parish in its own right,
directly responsible to the Diocese.
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The
parish register shows that Archdeacon Greig celebrated Holy
Communion at 11 o'clock the following Sunday, November 4, the
twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity. Forty-seven people were in
the congregation and the total financial offering was $19.55.
Forty-three dollars and sixteen cents, the largest offering
of 1951, was given at the October 7th Harvest Festival, attended
by sixty people.
Ron and Olivia Seal moved to North Vancouver in 1950 and have
memories of their early years in the Capilano Highlands. There
was no altar in the new building at the time of the dedication
in October so Ron and Archdeacon Greig hastily built a small
folding altar in time for the Christmas Watchnight service.
Ron also built a triptych as a reredos for the altar. Olivia
remembers a square dance in the hall which was promoted as a
fund-raising event by the ladies of the parish.
At the year's end the diocesan parochial statistics recorded
125 confirmed people on the parish list and the "Number
of Different Persons who actually communicated during the year"
was 90. "Total number of souls on Parish rolls" number
650. The average attendance at the Sunday services was 31. Thirteen
teachers taught 189 Sunday School children. There were no confirmations
during 1951, but 17 babies were baptised.
At the beginning of 1952 the diocesan parochial statistics show
the incumbent's warden was A. W. Ritchie and A. Dickenson was
People's Warden. The parish boundaries were from lower Capilano
to Capilano Properties, Capilano Highlands, Canyon Heights and
Forest Hills.
Upon his arrival at St. Catherine's, Archdeacon Greig discovered
that in addition to three major loans, he had inherited substantial
unpaid bills incurred during the hall construction. He learned
that the financial picture was far worse than he had been led
to believe. In February 1952 he wrote to Bishop Gower, detailing
his concern. "The completion of the (parish) canvass
proved to be a wash-out for the simple reason that everyone
worth canvassing had already been contacted and only the duds
remained."
Before writing to the bishop, Archdeacon Greig had painstakingly
investigated the situation in an attempt not only to find a
solution, but also to prevent a repetition. He came to the conclusion
that part of the blame should rest with the diocese. Never a
man to mince words, he recommended to his bishop, that, in future,
stricter diocesan control be exercised prior to any construction
of church facilities. He urged tighter guidelines to determine
the suitability of proposed buildings, their need, and dollar
value in terms of actual accommodation. A further and obvious
recommendation was for a determination of the cost, prior to
commencement of construction. In conclusion, Archdeacon Greig
cautioned, "that any proposed debt burden (should be)
one that the parish can handle without being crippled by it."
Minutes of the Diocesan Finance and Property committee, dated
February 7, 1952, recorded receipt of Archdeacon Greig's letter.
The committee concurred with his suggestions about tighter diocesan
control and the diocesan treasurer was asked for his recommendation
concerning payment of St. Catherine's bills. On March 9 parishioners
were asked to authorize a synod loan application to complete
payment of the Building Fund accounts.
In his first report as vicar of St Catherine's, Archdeacon Greig
recognized the erection of the [lfst permanent building as a
"great venture of faith, undertaken under trying conditions."
However, he challenged parishioners to "think at once in
long terms and on a high plane." He reminded them that
the hall was the first of three buildings in their original
plan. The next goal before St. Catherine's was the erection
of a church.
Archdeacon Greig's closing statement of his report can be addressed
to congregations in the nineties:
"Rarely do congregations over-rate their potentialities.
The tendency rather is to aim too low, fearful of what the future
may hold and sadly underestimating the reserves of energy, enthusiasm
and finance that can be tapped The fact is that God does not
call people to a task they cannot perform. The resources are
always available for the completion of any task to which He
calls us".
Early in 1952 a youth group was formed, dropped and later reorganized
for senior high school students. A program of Scouting and Guiding
was also in full swing.
Events in 1952 included the first May Queen celebrations. Sandra
Bourne was the first May Queen. The annual celebrations that
continued through 1956, were held in the hall and brought much
pleasure to everyone. Mrs. Greig introduced the pageant to St.
Catherine's, a tradition she brought from their former parish
in Dunbar. She was not only the director, but also made all
the costumes and supplied the flowers. The Sunday School children
danced around the maypole and performed other folk and national
dances. Admission was thirty-five cents and proceeds contributed
to the purchase of furnishings for the new hall. Described by
some as omnicompetent Mrs. Greig also made clothing for fund-raising
events and many a youngster slept in pajamas made by the vicar's
wife. It was also Mrs. Greig who started the annual Fall Fair
in 1952. That first Fair, the forerunner of the Holly Fair of
today, raised $1000.
On April 16, 1952, six candidates - all adults between the age
of 34 and 40 - were presented to Bishop Gower at the first service
of Confirmation at St. Catherine's. On June 8, 1952 the first
wedding took place when Richard and Dorothy Purvey were married
by Archdeacon Greig.
St. Catherine's, Capilano was duly incorporated: August 18,
1952.
The original group of ladies who had formed a "W.A."
in 1948, continued to focus their efforts towards supplying
the needs of the parish and so established themselves as a parochial
guild. Thus the present Parish Guild was born.
The Woman's Auxiliary, re-named Anglican Church Women in the
1960's, has always focused on mission work as well as contributing
to parish requirements. In February 1953 the first meeting of
the St. Catherine's branch elected its first executive. The
president was Mrs. Bumstead. The other officers were Mrs. Papin,
vice president, Mrs. Langford, treasurer and Mrs. Little, recording
secretary.
A highlight of 1952 was the purchase of a new reed organ with
an electric blower. The entire cost of $427.46 was met by church
members and friends.
Church attendance climbed during the year. The Easter Sunday
congregation numbered 169, a marked increase from 67 in 1951.
The seating capacity was strained at the family carol service
on the Sunday after Christmas with 220 people in attendance.
This was further proof that there was urgent need for a separate
and larger church building.
While the steady growth was encouraging, Archdeacon Greig was
not satisfied with church attendance on Sundays. In his 1953
report he expressed his concern. "I hope you will forgive
my speaking plainly in this matte!; but it seems to me that
in this community week-end social engagements, week-end sport,
week-end gardening, and just plain week-end loafing are being
allowed to interfere far too greatly with week-end worship."
He continued, "I must remind you that the worship of
God lies at the core of our parish life, and that efforts to
build a strong parish while neglecting the Sunday services are
foredoomed to failure. This is not a Service Club or a Community
Club. It is a branch of the great Church of Christ, and all
that we do is done, not in the name of Society, but in the Name
of Christ."
The hall was unable to accommodate the growing Sunday School
numbers and provide adequate space for mid-week activities.
Groups were forced to meet in homes. Obviously the time had
come to embark on the second stage of the building program. |
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