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South Arm Presbyterian Church
Location : 11051 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC. |
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| The South Arm Presbyterian Church has significance as an important landmark in the Gilmore area, with an association to the development of the South Arm area of Richmond in the early 20th century, as newly constructed roads gave people more movement through the centre of Lulu Island and communities grew. The design of the church is simple, an excellent example of early rectangular country church architecture. It is representative of the efforts of local citizens to build their own community church in the South Arm, and its closure in 1925 after the amalgamation of churches under the United Church banner is associated with the history of church communities in Richmond. While still considered a landmark, the church was moved in 1959 from its original very prominent location adjacent to two major roads to its present location.
Character Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include: · Its rectangular church structure with simple but important details such as wooden drop-siding, a front gable roof, a central cupola with a bell cast roof and finial, and pointed gothic arch windows with decorative hoods · Its prominent location and landmark status at the intersection of two major roads. History: Presbyterians living on the south side of Lulu Island in the early 1900’s had traditionally gathered their congregation at a preaching station at London’s Landing, rather than attending the Presbyterian church on Sea Island. In 1902, these South Arm Presbyterians founded a church of their own. The Reverend William Burton was instrumental in the building of this church at No. 3 Road and Steveston Highway. Assisting Reverend Burton were many prominent Richmond families: Blair, Kidd, London, McKinney, McKenzie, McMyn, and others. The South Arm Presbyterian Church was dedicated on May 20, 1906. The building site was donated to the church by Mr. G. Alexander, and Thomas R. Patterson of Ladner was contracted to construct the building for a fee of $450.00. The lumber came from the Delta Sawmill in Ladner and was purchased for $540.00. When the United Church of Canada was formed in 1925, it brought together Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregationalist churches under one banner and the Steveston Presbyterian Church closed that year. The building was designated in 1991 and is currently still used to support the functions of the congregation which operate out of a new larger church on the site. A related building, the Steveston Presbyterian Church Manse, was used by ministers in the Presbyterian Church, and later, those who administered to the newly amalgamated churches. It is located at the corner of Second Avenue and Steveston Highway. Name of Architect or Builder: Designer unknown; builder was Thomas R. Patterson of Ladner Design Features: The church has a concrete foundation and is a simple rectangular church structure. The building is clad in wooden drop-siding, horizontal above and vertical below. There is evidence that corner boards were once present but have been removed. The roof is a front gable and has a central cupola with a bell cast roof and finial. There is a front gable closed entry porch which is probably a later addition, as the white exterior cladding was visible inside. The front doors are new. All roof material is wood shingle. The windows in the front and front side facades are wooden sash, pointed gothic arched, with decorative hoods. Earlier documentation indicates that the windows were leaded with coloured glass in the top arch; this is now gone and most of the windows have been boarded up. A window in the entry porch has been removed. There is a rectangular addition at the rear which has aluminum windows. | |
