The parish launched an ambitious expansion
program in 1954 with a glossy brochure outlining the stages
of development since 1948 and plans for the immediate future.
The estimated cost of a new hall and church alterations was
$58,000. Add the present debt and contingencies and the parish
was faced with raising $75,000. Members were asked to pledge
over a three-year period.
At this point it is appropriate to mention Captain Gerald Houlgrave
who contributed so generously to the growth and life of St.
Catherine's parish.
A number of today's parishioners recall the gentleman with great
fondness. He would later undertake the entire financial responsibility
for the renovation and bulk of the furnishings for the new church
building. The children of the 50's now remember the senior sidesman
who always had toffees for them after the Sunday services. The
Pat Alley family regularly had to stop on the way home to buy
candy for one or the other of their three sons who had been
overlooked during the distribution. The adults may recall him
lighting the candles at peculiar intervals, and there is the
touching explanation of why he kept his late wife's framed portrait
in the coal bin. Shoveling coal was such an unpleasant task
and he found her likeness in the bin made it so much easier.
The present chapel at St. Catherine's is dedicated to his memory.
1954
was a year of leveling off. Archdeacon Greig attributed this
to the constant problem of inadequate accommodation, and consequently
the parish was unable to grow as it should. His report, written
on January 25, 1955, left little doubt about his concern for
the appearance of St. Catherine's:
"I must confess there is little in the way of appearances
or comfort to induce worshippers to come to St. Catherine
at present. To be brutally frank, the external appearance
of our property at the moment is awful, the interior is depreciating
rapidly as a result of the heavy mid-week use to which it
is subjected; it is well-nigh impossible to keep it clean
or in good condition, the lighting is bad, kneeling for Communion
is most difficult and kneeling in the seats for the service
even more difficult,. the chairs, awkward at any time, are
now in poor condition,. and the confusion and upset caused
by attempting to clear 400 children out of the hall in a hurry
at 10:45 a.m. and set up as best we can for a service due
to start at 11 a.m. is more than many people can take."
1955 was certainly not a second year of leveling off.
Three additional lots were purchased for a parking area, a
vicarage and additional space for church expansion. Architect
Michael W.M. Smith was hired to renovate the existing hall.
The building, which had been used for every activity from
May Queen celebrations to Sunday services, was finally to
be renovated and refurnished. It would be used solely for
the purpose of worship.
In addition, the present hall had been built parallel to the
church, testament to the faith and determination of the parishioners,
to say nothing of the leadership of Archdeacon Greig. Tenders
were called in February and the hall was dedicated on September
27th. The new building, with full basement, stage and dressing
rooms, was planned to accommodate one thousand Sunday School
children and a mid-week program of sports and recreation.
A Vancouver Sun article, headlined "Fast Growing Church
Features New Look" described the renovations: "The
renovated interior conforms with the ultra-modern exterior;
but though it is far removed from the conventional the effect
is strikingly beautiful. "
The West Vancouver News stated St. Catherine's had an "Outstanding
Year". The "outstanding year" culminated in
the dedication by Bishop Gower of the newly-renovated building
on October 30, 1955.
The next day, October 31 St, should have been Archdeacon Greig's
last day at St. Catherine's. He had submitted his resignation
to the bishop in July, and asked to remain until the building
program was complete. He had guided the parish through four
years of dramatic growth and challenges, and wished to see
both hall and church dedicated before commencing a new full-time
administrative position with the Diocese of New Westminster.
However, he was still around to write his fifth annual report
in January 1956, as a suitable successor had not been found.
Typically, he did not leave the parish without more challenges
to the congregation. Among them was the strong suggestion
that a house be built for his successor. In a letter to his
warden, J. Lloyd Green, he urged that immediate steps be taken
to build a "suitable basement and three-bedroom house,
moderately priced and reasonably conservative in style, ...on
our site." He further outlined mortgage procedure
etc.
Archdeacon Greig's last service at St. Catherine's was the
mid-week celebration of Holy Communion on June 13, 1956.
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