St. John’s Court

Ann McLaren
September 2008

Margaret Walker, a long time member of St. John’s parish, and Rental Secretary of St. John’s Court for the past 10 years, has graciously provided information about the history of this building and how it is managed.The courtyard wall of St. John's Court apartments

St. John’s Court, the apartment building which is next to our church, was dedicated on September 6, 1975 by Bishop Gartrell. At that time, Canon Graham Baker was rector of the parish. In July 1975, as the building was being completed, the newly formed St. John’s Court Society held its first meeting. This Society, whose members are the parishioners of St. John the Divine, is an autonomous non-profit body that was set up to operate St. John’s Court. The aims of the Society are to provide independent living for seniors with low income in safe, comfortable suites and to ensure the proper maintenance of the building.

The first Chairman was J.E. (Ev) Brown, and the Secretary was Ethel Risebrow. The board of directors also included: Alan Harrop as Vice-Chair, Mary Oakley as Treasurer, as well as Lillian Goodwin and Milo Coldren.

The building was built with mortgage funds from CMHC, and the Society entered into an agreement with BC Housing designating it as residential property with housing for low and moderate income seniors 55 years and older.

Today the board has twelve members, as well the Rector, the Rector’s Warden, and the People’s Warden. The members are elected at the Society’s annual meeting, which is held at the same time as the annual meeting of the parish. Currently, the board consists of the following persons:

These board members meet every two months to ensure that the building is well maintained, that the bills are paid and set policy. The caretaker, Mark Dohm-Smidt, is responsible for day-to-day upkeep. The building, which is on church property, consists of 18 one-bedroom suites and a caretaker’s suite which has 2 bedrooms. All have balconies or patios which face the church garden. The suites need updating, so as they are vacated they are refurbished. New stoves and refrigerators have recently been installed in every suite and work is being done on the roof.

The annual operating budget is approximately $120,000. Gardening expenses and some other costs pertaining to the Parish Hall are shared with the Church. There is a waiting list of persons who have made application for accommodation. BC Housing provides subsidy whenever warranted. In the selection of new residents, compatibility with the existing community is one of the criteria.