A small Sapperton church traces its beginnings back to a time when New Westminster was the capital of British Columbia.
St. Mary’s the Virgin is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015 and marking the occasion with a reunion/wine and cheese party for anyone whose been connected to the church through its history.
“I have been a member here for 22 years,” said Doreen McQueen, chair of the church’s reunion committee. “I am one of the newcomers.”
Along with the May 2 reunion, the church is holding a number of smaller events throughout the year and a worship service with the bishop on Oct. 25.
If McQueen is one of the church’s newbies, Digby Turney is its elder statesmen.
“I am 85. I was christened there and have been gong there ever since,” said the New Westminster resident. “My family has always gone there. My grandfather was a Royal Engineer – the family has been going there ever since.”
St. Mary’s the Virgin has parishioners from New Westminster, Burnaby and Coquitlam.
“A lot of them have some longtime connections,” McQueen said. “It’s a real family type church. It’s still small, but thriving.”
St. Mary’s is one of the continuously longest-running churches in British Columbia.
“Holy Trinity is older, but they burned down in the great fire,” McQueen said. “Our church has 150 years of continuous worship. That is our claim to fame.”
St. Mary’s the Virgin, built by former Sappers in 1865 is also proud of some of the heritage elements in its building at 121 East Columbia St.
“There’s a stained glass window in that church that was installed in 1887,” Turney said. “It’s probably the oldest window in a church on the mainland of B.C.”
Plants for sale
Spring is definitely in the air in New Westminster as gardening season gets into full swing.
Across the border, the South Burnaby Garden Club is having a plant sale on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale, which features plants from South Burnaby Garden Club members’ gardens, is taking place at All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak Ave.
The New Westminster Horticultural Society is having a plant sale, which will feature a selection of perennials, annuals and vegetable garden starts like heirloom tomatoes, all grown with love and care by members of the horticultural society.
The sale will be under cover, and boxes and bags will be provided for customers’ convenience.
The sale will take place on Saturday, May 2, starting at 9 a.m., on the boulevard in front of 720 Fifth St.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Do you know of a community group organizing an event or a New Westminster resident who deserves special recognition? Send ideas to Theresa by email, [email protected].
