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A History of Trinity Presbyterian Church

The site of Port Camosack, known first locally as Fort Albert, was chosen in 1843 by James Douglas, Chief Factor of the H.B.C. Pacific Coast Headquarters at Fort Vancouver (Vancouver, Wash), as an alternative fur trading site in the event that the 49th parallel was extended to the Pacific, which did occur in 1846. The original intention was to name it Fort Adelaide but on June 10, 1843, it was officially named Fort Victoria. In 1849, the Hudson Bay Company leased Vancouver Island from the British Government for 7 shillings a year. The site was chosen because of the good agricultural land and the protected harbour, although Esquimalt was considered. The community remained small (less than 1000) until it became a supply centre and jumping off point for the Fraser River GOLD RUSH of 1858. Four short years later it became a city!

By 1871 when British Columbia joined the union, the Presbyterian Church had already been a thriving entity for ten years. As soon as Presbyterians arrived in Victoria they formed a worshipping church, meeting wherever space was available.

The first Ordained Minister was Rev. Hall, who was sent by Dublin Presbytery as a missionary to the outpost, and it was with his help and enthusiasm that the first building was put up at the corner of Pandora and Blanshard Streets. Being the first in Western Canada it was called First Presbyterian. (This building burned to the ground in September 1883, although the Corner Stone may still be seen today at that location.)

Rev. Sommerville, a Scot, came next, and it was during this time that a controversy arose over whether the church should be under the jurisdiction of the Church of Scotland or the Church of Ireland. Before an agreement could be reached, a more serious problem arose when it was discovered that three trustees had privately executed a trust deed giving them the rights of possession over the church and its site. The Scottish members were very irate, and when Rev. Sommerville resigned on principle, he left with a majority of the congregation, most of who were from Scotland. The Church of Scotland was pleased to recognize this new group of worshippers and best of all was prepared to help finance them. A building on Broughton Street, always referred to as the Broughton Street Hall, was used between 1866 and 1969. After the church vacated it, it was used for many years as a school.

A building was put up at Courtney and Gordon Streets which was completed in 1869, and shortly after, Rev. Sommerville asked permission to return to Scotland to raise funds. While there, he made the decision to remain in Scotland, so a Rev. MacGregor was sent out to take his place.

This he did with great enthusiasm, so when he asked permission to return to Scotland to recruit more ministers, the Session, with some trepidation, gave their blessing. He returned in 1875 with four more ordained men, one of whom was assigned the task of outreach in the outlying areas of Victoria.

In 1887 the church voted to sever its connection with the Church of Scotland and join the Presbyterian Church of Canada, simply because this made practical sense.

A year later it became evident that the building at Courney and Gordon Streets would no longer accommodate the growing congregation, so the present site at Douglas and Broughton Streets was chosen and the new building opened in 1890. Until torn down in 1935, the former church was always known as The Old Church Building. The corner stone from that building is now the baptismal font at St. Andrew's.

In 1888 the National Electric Tramway commenced operation, extending to un-incorporated districts within two years. In 1894, this became the Victoria Electric Railway.

Following a tragic accident in May 1896, when the Point Ellice Bridge collapsed, (dropping a 10 ton rail car, two carriages, a bicyclist and several pedestrians onto a small boat in Victoria Harbour), the company became no longer viable. Auctioned in 1896, it was purchased by B.C. Electric Railway. In March 1912 the service began along Burnside to Harriet Rd.; later being extended to Brentwood Bay and Deep Bay, with the present Deep Cove Chalet being the terminus of this line.

Transportation to and from downtown Victoria was available in 1914, with B.C. Electric running from Vic West to the Gorge Park (now the Kinsmen Park), while a coach line went along Gorge Road to Admirals Road.

On January 1st, 1922, all traffic switched from the left to the right side of the road.

The Interurban rail line along Burnside was abandoned in 1925 from Carol Street north, but continued to be used in the urban area for a number of years, with the last run in the system taking place on June 5th, 1948.

Despite this impressively good service, folk in the Gorge area felt the need of a Sunday School which would be more convenient for their youngsters, rather than taking them downtown, so they began agitating for a local facility.

Gorge Church

According to a history written in 1942 by Mrs. W. Sanders, it was St. Andrew's church and its pastor Rev. John Inkster that responded to this, with the Session at St. Andrew's calling a meeting at the Gorge on February 16th, 1914. At this time the building site on the corner of Tillicum and Walter Streets was decided upon.

In less than a fortnight the sum of $500 had been raised with the help of local businessmen. With Presbytery approval the building was begun in April. One month later on May 3rd, Rev Inkster dedicated the building and conducted the opening service. The price of the land was $2,250, payments to begin in two years, with interest rate of seven percent per annum. Rev. Lundie was the first minister and served for two years before accepting a call to Sooke.

The building was small and lacked most amenities, including pews, and a wee house out the back served as bathroom facilities, but the building served the parishioners until 1922. It then became necessary to raise the hall and put a basement under it to house a burgeoning Sunday school of about 150 children. Cost of the addition was $900.

An interesting method was used to heat the now two story building. The hot air furnace heated both floors at once, but when only the downstairs floor needed heat, an asbestos mat was placed over the sanctuary's heating outlet, thus forcing all the heat to stay in the lower level. When the sanctuary needed heat, the outlets in the lower hall were covered. This unique method had to be altered when someone inadvertently covered both outlets at once, leaving the heat nowhere to go. The furnace became red hot and caused a fire to break out during a Sunday School Concert. The firemen sorted things out and strongly recommended putting some holes in the asbestos to allow air exchange. The concert continued!

In this era the Church was usually the centre for social activities and many happy times are remembered. Picnics, Christmas parties and other socials were common, many being of a fund raising nature.

A kitchen was eventually added in the basement, along with indoor plumbing, but before that, water was carried from across the road. The new kitchen had a wood stove, no dishes and just one small counter to work on. The 'facilities' had moved indoors but were still unheated! There was no janitor so people took turns cleaning the building and the minister was often in charge of firing up the coal and wood furnace before the service.

The Ladies Afternoon Group became very active, raising money by cooking turkey dinners and serving teas, and eventually an Evening Group was formed by the young mothers who were unable to attend the Afternoon Group because of small children at home.

The Gorge waterway was a very popular area in which to reside and the nearest churches were Burnside Methodist on Milgrove Street near Burnside Road, and St. Jude's Anglican on Obed Avenue (later to become St. Martin's in the Field), so the Gorge Church filled a need for people that walked to worship.

In 1925 a decision had to be made as to whether the Presbyterian Church would elect to remain Presbyterian or join with the Methodists and Congregationalists to form the United Church of Canada. Gorge Church decided to stay Presbyterian and a difficult year ensued as the change and all it entailed was dealt with.

Some years later, it became apparent that a new sanctuary would be necessary. So fund raising began and on Sept.1955, during the ministry of Rev. McAllister, the sod was turned and construction began on a new building. Mrs. Ella Martin (who was the oldest communicant) did the honours with an old camping shovel provided by Ruby Armstrong. Ruby polished it as well as possible and put a pretty ribbon on it. A humble tool for such a big undertaking!

The building was completed in 1956, with much of the construction being done by volunteers. A Mr. Readings was the contractor. Joe Armstrong (the building manager) was heavily involved with the construction when his duties as a Detective Sergeant on the Police Force allowed. It is no coincidence that many members of that detachment did a lot of hard work on the construction during their days off! Detective Robin Stewart put up the wrought iron railings around the front steps, and Constable Ed Anderson helped build the chimney. As far as is known, none was a member of the church. Joe and Ruby Armstrong took their truck out to Sidney just before the opening service to pick up the pews, and hastily put them in place and gave them a quick dusting. Ruby, from her spot toward the back of the church was chagrined to find that all the men in their dark suits had sawdust all over their backs once they had sat in the pews.

Mrs. Gamble, a member of the building committee, chose the red carpeting for only one reason, if red carpet is for royalty, what better colour in the home of the "King of Kings" Mrs. Gamble also chose the lighting fixtures. Mamie McAllister, lil Mac's daughter, donated the "Burning Bush" to hang from the pulpit, and Mrs. MacAllister built the holders for the communion cups.

Some of the members of the building committee were as follows: Joe Armstrong, Alec Demster, Mrs. Gamble, Neil McDonald, Gerry Morris and Mr. Peasland.

The building is very well constructed and still quite sound with an enormous number of cross bracings for the roof. There is a small fortune in lovely dry lumber up there.

In April 1963, a mortgage burning ceremony took place and in short order a request was made to make the Gorge Presbyterian Church self supporting. The following year this was accomplished amid the celebration of fifty years in Service. Rev. W.R. Bell of Chilliwack delivered the message in the morning, and Rev. McAllister, who had been with the church for half that time, took the evening service.

St. Paul's Church

St. Paul's Church had it's beginning in Semple's Hall on Langford Street in Victoria West in 1886, with Dr. Donald MacRae serving as pastor. Five years later a church was built at the corner of Mary and Henry Streets, with The Hon. John Robertson, Premier of B.C., laying the corner stone. The Church was dedicated on September 28th of that year, with the Rev. MacRae serving for twenty years, during which time he founded St. Aidan's at Mt. Tolmie, and Knox in Sooke.

This church remained a vital part of people's lives until 1965, when because of dwindling numbers, and despite a dedicated effort on the part of Alex Stewart (Clerk of Session and Superintendent of Sunday School), a Presbytery decision caused the church to be closed. The building later sold for $5000. Rev. Gordon Faraday, Moderator, preached the final service, with other members of Presbytery attending.

Some of the members moved to the Gorge Church. Long time members mentioned in the archives are: Mrs. Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. MacArthur, Mr. Dallimore, the church organist for fifty years, and Amy McKenzie Leeming.

Erskine Church

Erskine Church began services in Boleskine Rd. Public School; these being conducted by W. J. Mark, a student at Westminster Hall, Vancouver. On October 20, 1913, the new church, located at the corner of Harriet Road and Lurline, was dedicated, with the Rev. J. Campbell being its first minister.

The church continued for more than 40 years, but dwindling membership was the reason given for selling this property to another denomination. Dr. Wright was the minister at that time and there were approximately 50 children in the Sunday school. Mrs. Tom Braid was superintendent and Allison Colburn was the organist. The teachers were Mrs. Colburn, Mrs. Jean Hagarth and Miss Edith Neilson. The selling price was $1000. The building was eventually demolished and a new place of worship constructed. The concluding service was held on May 8, 1966 and was conducted by Rev. A.M. Beaton, Moderator of Presbytery. Some of the members from Erskine moved to the Gorge Church when Presbytery closed the doors.

Trinity Church

In 1966, the three churches were meeting at the Gorge site without a minister and without an adequate church hall and a new name for the new congregation needed to be found. In order to do all this it was necessary to set our lawyer, Mr. Herbert Matthews, to work locating our deeds for the three Churches and to agree on a single set of trustees. They were: Mr. Robinson, Mr. Morris and Mr. Dempster. The authority for the Board of Managers to act was established and the contracts for disposal of the two Church properties were regularized. The membership voted to rename the church Trinity Presbyterian. The next problem was solved when Rev. Dr. McLean managed to persuade Rev. Gilbert Smith, who was on his way back from New Zealand with the intention of living in Ontario, that remaining in Victoria would be a good thing to do. Rev. Smith was formally called in mid 1967 and it was to prove a happy association.

The original old sanctuary was used for another eleven years as the Sunday school and meeting hall, but when the building became condemned it was decided to use the monies from the sale of St Paul's' Church ($5000), the manse on Obed Street ($27000), and Erskine Church ($1000) to construct a new building.

In 1968 the original church building was razed and a new Christian Education building constructed on the old site. The corner stone was laid Oct. 12, 1969 and a time capsule was placed inside.

During the 1980s a great deal of refurbishing was done; with the whole basement undergoing painting and new carpets. The study was redone as were the board room and office. During this era a ramp was installed to access the hall from outside and a skylight was installed in the vestibule. Another was put in the back entrance hall as it had no artificial light at all. Some time during this ten year period the sanctuary was repainted and the choir loft had wood paneling installed. The north wall was also resealed.

The building was not well constructed and continued to be an ongoing source of problems, such as a leaking roof and damp walls in the lower hall. It wasn't until the lower hall was gutted that dry rot was discovered in the bearing wall. When that was ripped out and replaced by a steel beam, the musty smell disappeared. An air exchange system has made a huge difference to the dampness, and new lighting in the now larger meeting area has rendered the hall very useable.

Over the years a library was set up in the old stage area and a commercial dish washer installed in the kitchen. We've come a long way from the old, inconvenient kitchen in the basement.

Two pieces of property have been purchased by the Congregation over the years. The first, at 2960 Tillicum was purchased to resolve the growing parking problem and when it was discovered that, as commercial property, it could have undesirable consequences for the church. This building was rented for some years to pay off the mortgage, with varying degrees of success. Eventually Fred and Hazel Dubinsky moved in and our worries were over. Fred was the church treasurer for years. David and Carey Smyth lived there until this fall. The mortgage was paid off several years later but because the lot is too small to park more than a few cars, the decision was made to buy the house next door at 313 Walter Avenue, with a view to demolishing both for 27 parking spaces. The Walter Avenue. house had its mortgage paid off in 2000 and the congregation wonders about funding the $100,000 cost of demolishing houses, draining low areas, fencing, landscaping and paving. All these are Saanich Municipality requirements.

On May 5th, 1996, the congregation celebrated the 30th anniversary of Trinity Presbyterian. During this special service Faye (Hutchinson) Cahoon shared memories of her childhood days at Gorge Presbyterian. Our minister Emeritus, Rev. Gilbert Smith described some of his experiences during his early days at Trinity. Robbie Robinson (Gorge) and George Davidson (St. Paul's) read the scriptures. Our Bard Tom Milligan composed a poem which he read, the choir sang an anthem entitled "Praise the Lord", and Ramona Sytsma sang "Spirit Song." Rev. Cambell Smyth's sermon was titled "Marks of a Church".

A collage assembled by June Robinson and showing the history of the church was on view during coffee hour. These posters have since gone missing.

A cake, beautifully decorated by Nancy McKinlay, was cut by three ladies who attended the three churches as youngsters. They are: Jean Davidson (St. Paul's), Edie Neilson (Erskine), and Muriel Lockhart (Gorge). The three clasped hands as a symbol of union.

We now wait on the Lord's direction for our wee church as we ponder several options and pray that we might be in His Will at all times.