Historic Witness in Vancouver

The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland has had a long witness in East Vancouver, Vancouver West, Burnaby, and to a lesser extent in Vancouver Island, and other areas of Metro Vancouver. Below are historical accounts of visits to Vancouver by Ministers, and Obituaries of Christians. Worship Service in past times were held at the church building in East Vancouver. Are you looking for a church that is truly reformed, and has adhered to the precious Word of God, throughout the generations? the Free Presbyterian Church is looking to set up regular services that can be reached from Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, and Abbotsford.

In the meantime, occasional Worship Services are being held again. Are you looking for a Church near you? Please check the Vancouver page here.

Visit of Rev. Donald Beaton to Vancouver 1916 The train journey, once the far-stretching prairies had lost their novelty, became very monotonous until we reached the western part of Alberta, and entered into the bush-covered tracts of British Columbia, with its varied scenery of mountains, rivers, and lakes – a pleasant change to a Scotsman after the seemingly endless expanse of flat prairie land. Part of our time was spent on board the Canadian Pacific Railway lake boats on the Kootenay and Arrowhead Lakes.

Visit of Rev. James Macleod to Vancouver 1919 Mr. Macleod had not been long in the place when the Rev. George Mackay, who had been sent out by the Free Church, appeared. He had an interview with Mr. Macleod asking that arrangements might be made for joint services. To this suggestion Mr. Macleod gave a point blank refusal

Visit by Rev. Malcolm Gillies to Vancouver 1921 The Vancouver congregation became a station in the Mission Field of the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada by the action of our Synod in May, 1919, in granting the petition of about 100 persons in Vancouver to be so received as a Mission station or congregation

Obituary of Catherine Macleod, Vancouver 1921 She came to British Columbia about eleven years ago, and perhaps she had more troubles and trials during this last period of her life than she had at any other time during her sojourn in this wicked and cold world. After living for some time in Lulu Island, a few miles out of Vancouver, she was taken away far north to the Peace River country, where she neither had the public means of grace nor any of the Lord’s people to speak to.

Visit of Rev Donald Beaton to Vancouver 1922 On reaching Vancouver, I was met at the station by Mr. Donald Matheson, our missionary there. During my stay in that city, I put up at Mrs. Morrison’s, whose house was near the church. Mrs. Morrison (from Applecross) and family showed the greatest kindness, and made my stay in this great Pacific City of the most pleasant nature. Vancouver, though a large city of over 200,000 inhabitants, appeared like a quiet country town after the feverish activity of Detroit.

Visit of Rev. Murdo Morrison to Vancouver 1924 After the prairies, I found Vancouver quite a contrast, and felt as if in the home country. This was due partly to its geographical or physical features; there were the mountains behind and the country covered with all kinds of trees, and the sea in front, with its bays and harbours; partly because of the great number of Scottish and Highland people resident in the city and the surrounding country.

Visit of Rev. James Macleod to Vancouver 1928 It needs the Gospel that saves lost and ruined sinners: for all the prosperity in the world will never take one soul out of the devil’s kingdom. Vancouver is a wide field for young men that love Zion and the souls of men. I visited all our families, and found them anxious to have one of the ministers of our Church among them. In February last I went as far north as Clayoquot Sound [Vancouver Island], which is about two hundred miles north-west of the city of Vancouver

Visit of Rev. Finlay Macleod to Vancouver 1929 Leaving Calgary on the morning of Tuesday, 24th September, we got a good view of the Rocky Mountains, which probably are the most wonderful sight Canada presents to a visitor. On reaching Vancouver, Wednesday morning, Mr. Hugh MacKay was waiting for me at the Depot

Visit of Rev. William Grant to Vancouver 1930 After due consideration, it was decided to dispense the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on the last Sabbath of August. Five day services were held, as in Scotland. This being the first time the solemn event took place in our Vancouver congregation, I explained, for the benefit of the young, the purpose of each day’s gathering.

Visit of Rev. Ewen Macqueen to Vancouver 1931 About a week before I left, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed, our friend Mr. Angus Mackay, of Alberta, coming to Vancouver to assist Mr. Hugh Mackay at the Communion. Altogether I remained three months in Vancouver declaring the Word of the Lord as He enabled me, and I pray and hope that His Word will not return unto Him void. At the end of the period I set my face again on the Rocky Mountains to visit Calgary, also Innisfail and Red Deer.

Visit of Rev. Finlay Macleod to Vancouver 1933 The services were as a rule well attended. May the fruit be unto holiness and the end eternal life. Vancouver, like all the Canadian cities, requires the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In most of the churches, sad to say, the gospel is not known. It is our duty as a church, and our great privilege to go to the ends of the earth with the glorious message of salvation.

Visit of Rev. D.M. Macdonald to Vancouver 1935 Western Canada has been opened up and many Scottish-born Free Presbyterians congregated there. It is these with their descendants who now form our congregations in Canada. The only sanctioned charges are in Winnipeg and Vancouver, with small groups in Calgary and Saskatoon, which are usually visited by our Deputies.

Visit of Rev. Dr. Robert Macdonald to Vancouver 1949 The congregation in Vancouver, though not large, is considerably larger than Winnipeg. One pleasing feature is that a number of the younger generations, attend regularly. While I was there this congregation proceeded with a Call to me, which I accepted believing this course to be my duty and according to the Lord’s will.

Induction of Rev. Dr. Macdonald to Vancouver Congregation 1951 In the Hall of St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday, the 16th day of January, 1951, the Southern Presbytery inducted the Rev. Dr. MacDonald to the pastoral charge of the Vancouver congregation.

Report of Rev. Robert Macdonald, Vancouver 1958 Another year has passed, and if it be asked how it has fared with us in this part of the world, I am afraid that the answer will have to be that there is little evidence of a break in the dark cloud of religious indifference and general declension from spiritual and moral standards.

Synod Address Rev. Robert Macdonald 1961 The very fact that I am here is an expression of the faithfulness of the people in Vancouver to the testimony of the Church and all those things for which we stand.  I wish then to convey our sincere greetings to you and through you to the Church.  Now, In Canada we have the same problems that are world-wide to-day in what used to be called Christian countries or countries where the Gospel was received

Obituary of Mr. Hugh Mackay, Elder, Vancouver 1966 In 1907 he emigrated to Canada where he worked for a short time in the Province of Manitoba, later coming west to settle in the Province of British Columbia. Here he had contracts for numerous projects, notably several buildings of the University of British Columbia, where his craftsmanship may be seen in the handsome Library building, etc.

Obituary of Mr. Alexander Macleod, Elder, Vancouver 1969 In 1922 he returned to Canada, this time accompanied by his wife and family and settled at Tofino, Vancouver Island, where the two youngest of the family were born. Here, in an isolated community

Visit of Rev. John Nicholson to Vancouver 1970 Vancouver is a most beautiful city and the climate in British Columbia is mild compared to Manitoba and Ontario. When visiting the sick in hospitals it took me out to the suburbs where I saw great pine-scented forests, immense parks, mountains, lakes and the sea. No Scottish person would be “homesick” in this beautiful province.

Death of Rev. Dr. Robert Macdonald, Vancouver 1974 We record with sorrow the passing of Rev. Dr. R. Macdonald which took place in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, 1st March 1974.

Synod Tribute to Mr. Allan Macaskill, Elder, Vancouver 1982 He left Scotland for Canada in the year 1913 and except for a period of military service with the Royal Canadian Navy, during the First World War, be spent the most of his life in the country of his adoption.

Visit of Rev. John Macleod to Vancouver 1994 The Dominions and Overseas Committee decided early in the year that, if possible, a deputy should visit the small remnant in Vancouver who had remained faithful to our Church and its testimony. Having been asked to undertake that duty I arrived in Vancouver at 5.30 pm (local time) on Thursday, 6th October, 1994.

Visit of Rev. K. M. Watkins to Vancouver 2016 Currently the group comprises several families that have a committed interest, at various levels of understanding, in Reformed worship and doctrine. Separate meetings were first begun as a result of increasing unease with unscriptural aspects of other Reformed witness in Vancouver. Since then, the group’s interest in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland has crystallised and grown into a desire to be part of the Church.

Visit of Rev. Roderick Macleod to Vancouver 2017 After discussion with Mr. Spratt, who has led the VRC meetings since 2014, it was agreed by the Kirk Session to resume the services in the Vancouver preaching station.

We presently plan to set up regular Sabbath services in Surrey, so that people can attend from Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, and Abbotsford.