The Church of St John the Divine Victoria

Buildings

The church of St John the Divine stands at the corner of Quadra and Mason Streets, well within the downtown core. The original building, the gift of Miss Angela Burdett Coutts who also endowed the Diocese, was of corrugated iron. It was sent out from England by ship, along with two workmen who were to re-erect it in Victoria. The present church built of brick and stone in a modified gothic style replaced the Iron Church in 1912. The rectory, less gothic, more mock-Tudor was built at the same time and the copper-clad spire, one of the city's landmark was added later.

In 1954 a Parish Hall was built. In 1960 the interior of the church was destroyed by fire and in the reconstruction that followed the Emmaus Chapel was formed at the east end of the south aisle. The stained glass was gradually replaced with scenes from the life of Christ in the sanctuary and Chapel windows, the twelve Apostles in the south aisle and in the north aisle a more innovative series showing the products and occupations of B.C. Some years later a lobby and office were built to connect the church with the old rectory, now used for offices and meeting rooms. In the 19709 a seniors' residence, St John's Court, was built next to the Church Hall. The church building is wheelchair accessible through the door by the office, facing St. John's Court, and there is a wheelchair-accessible washroom.

History

In the 140-year history of the Parish the downtown has gradually ceased to be a residential area, and though in the last few years this trend has been to some extent reversed, most of the congregation now comes from other parts of the city. The early rectors all returned to England within a few years but the arrival of Mr Jenns in 1868 signalled the beginning of a series of long incumbencies, so that the present rector, the Rev. Canon H. Munn is only the eighth in line. Relations with the Diocese were at first somewhat rocky, as Mr. Jenns did not approve of Synods and would not allow St John's to send delegates but under his successors the Parish has participated fully in diocesan affairs. Mr. Chadwick, the fourth rector first encouraged an interest in Missions, and since the 1960s the Parish has become increasingly involved in social and missionary outreach, both outside the Diocese and in the downtown area.

Written by Elizabeth Hyde with reference to material from our diocesan archives and from the book "The Iron Church" by Stuart Underhill which is available for purchase at the office. An extract can be found here.