BCY Regional Update: Celebrating Milestones
We hear from two BC churches celebrating exciting milestones: First Baptist Church in Victoria, and Ward Memorial Baptist Church in Vancouver.
First Baptist Victoria Celebrates 150 years
Compiled from the archives of First Baptist Church Victoria
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6-7
The Founding of First Baptist Church Victoria
Victoria has a rich heritage in the history of Canada. Coast Salish people had lived on what is now called Vancouver Island for thousands of years. Captain Cook was the first European explorer to set foot on the island in 1778, but it was not until 1843 that the Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Victoria. It was the gold rush that boosted the population in the mid- to late-1800s as fortune seekers used the city as a supply base. The city also welcomed many black people who escaped slavery and prejudice and found greater freedom away from the United States.
In 1874, Alexander Clyde and his family from Stratford, ON traveled to Victoria. They traveled by wagon train along the Oregon Trail to San Francisco, where they boarded a steamship that took a further twelve days up the coast to Victoria. Upon arrival, Clyde took the initiative to find other likeminded Baptist families. Finding four, he called a meeting and the group advertised in the local newspaper and found nine others who responded. A regular prayer meeting began. Clyde wrote his minister in Stratford for the need of a pastor. Reverend William Carnes of Chelsea, ON responded. He arrived in Victoria on March 29, 1876.
On May 3, 1876, 15 people met together in a YMCA room to organize First Baptist Church—electing 2 deacons, a clerk, a treasurer, and calling Rev. Carnes to be the pastor. It was a unique occasion, for not only was this the first Baptist Church to be inaugurated in Victoria, but also in British Columbia—and, in fact, the first one west of Winnipeg. The church was biracial, with 7 white Canadians and the eight black Americans who had come from California.
This early church took quick initiative to erect a church building, having secured some land for the sum of $1150. By 1877, a new church building on Pandora was erected at the cost of $6000. This may seem like an amazing accomplishment, but sadly, it became a financial struggle for this small church. The minutes of the meetings of these early days show a lot of friction in raising money to pay for the building and to support the pastor. Pastor Carnes left the church in conflict over unpaid wages, and by 1883 the mortgage was foreclosed and this first building was lost. It also seems that the biracial character of the church lead to divisions, and shortly after losing the building, the church folded.
The congregation reorganized under a new name, Calvary Baptist Church. This seems to resolve some of the disputes for this reorganized church seemed to thrive. With support from Baptists in Washington State and Oregon, the church was able to support a pastor and build a new building in 1885. During this time, a Sunday school was established in nearby neighbourhood, which became the genesis of now Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Yet the challenges were not over. A controversial pastor split the church for a season. Then in 1907, a great fire in the city burned down the Calvary Baptist building. In 1908, the controversial pastor Tapscott resigned and formed yet another independent Baptist Church. On July 28, 1908, the various remnants agreed to establish a church under a new name, returning once again to the name ‘First Baptist Church’ which remains today.
From this point, the church seems to have put aside early conflicts and continued to serve faithfully. By 1936, the church bought the Congregational Church which they had been renting since the 1920s, and a dedication service for it was held on September 27, 1936.
First Baptist Church 50 years ago
At about that time, the First Baptist Church was celebrating 100 years, a new vision was taking root in the congregation. The church building which they had inhabited since about 1925 and owned since 1936 was facing challenges, not the least of which was its lack of accessibility with two large staircases at the front of the building. First Baptist Church was stable as a midsized congregation but faced a question as to how to minister in this city.
In 1964, the congregation voted to purchase property on Quadra Street between North Park Street and Fisgard to build a new church: one with more up-to-date facilities and easier access. The property was paid in full four years later in 1968.
Under the ministry of Reverend John Watson who served from 1963 to 1984, the church developed a significant new focus. Not wanting to build just another large church building, the congregation had a heart to minister to seniors by providing affordable housing. As such it was decided to build a new smaller church building along with North Park Manor.
A model of North Park Manor
The sod-turning was held February 24, 1974, and the first worship service held there on November 16, 1975. North Park Manor had its official opening ceremonies and dedication on April 24, 1976. Fisgard House would be added in1988. This new facility and focus led to years of strong ministry.
Bearing Fruit Today
Through the prayers and efforts of many dedicated leaders and servants, this congregation has endured. Over the years, the congregation helped establish Emmanuel Baptist, Elk Lake Baptist, and even Olivet Baptist in New Westminster. The vision put in place 50 years ago to build North Park Manor and serve seniors with affordable housing and spiritual nourishment continues to bear fruit today. We are excited to partner with prison chaplaincy to be a source of encouragement to those on parole.
Each Sunday, we offer simple, faithful worship and declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe in God’s mercy—that this good work started 150 years ago will continue until the day of Christ Jesus.
Ward Memorial Baptist Church: 130 Years of Ministry
For over 130 years, Ward Memorial Baptist Church has been a place where people from different nations, cultures, and walks of life gather to worship God, grow in faith, and serve the community.
Celebrating the Past
Our church began in 1894 as a Sunday school and mission outreach in Vancouver’s East End. Through God’s faithfulness and the dedication of many leaders, the ministry eventually became Ward Memorial Baptist Church, named in honor of Reverend Albert W. Ward, whose ministry touched people from many nations.
Ward Memorial Baptist Church (WMBC) is a descendant of what was known as the “Brood” of Baptist churches,i which originated out of First Baptist Church’s vision to launch daughter churches in the city of Vancouver as it grew. WMBC has a direct line through Jackson Avenue Baptist Church (JABC), which was the second church plant from that vision.
“The first building occupied by Jackson Avenue Baptist Church (JABC) seems to have been a re-purposed residence (versus a purpose-built church structure). It was somewhere on Jackson Avenue, but exactly where it was is a bit of a mystery... By 1898, JABC was growing beyond the capacity of their first building and so JABC bought the former building of the local Presbyterians, Zion Presbyterian (NW Corner of Jackson and Princess (East Pender). JABC, for a while, was known as Zion Baptist...
“JABC, like most of the people of Strathcona – the community in which it was situated – was not rich. By the late 1940s, its membership had dropped significantly. Therefore, in 1952, JABC merged with another (also dwindling) Baptist church in the East End, East Hastings Baptist, to form a new church: Ward Memorial Baptist Church (in memory of Rev. Albert W. Ward).”ii
Living the Mission
Ward Memorial Baptist Church, together with G&I Shining Stars Youth Society celebrate the past pastors, visionaries, and missionaries who answered the call to serve our Lord and community in their time and pass the torch to Pastor Layne Daggett (now deceased), and then to the current Pastors Jusuf Wijaya and Jeremy Kwan.
Congregation with Pastor Layne Daggett
Today, we continue to live out our vision:
“Transformation – To see lives transformed by sharing the love of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Under the leadership of our Lead Pastor, Jusuf Wijaya, and Youth Pastor, Jeremy Kwan, our church remains committed to building a Christ-centered community where faith is lived out in practical ways. Pastor Jeremy was recently ordained with the CBWC.
Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., approximately 70 people gather for worship, prayer, biblical teaching, and fellowship. Our worship services are also livestreamed, allowing others to join us online. One of the unique blessings of our church is that after nearly every Sunday service, members and guests stay for lunch together. Around the table, friendships deepen, burdens are shared, prayers are offered, and strangers often become family.
Our youth ministry continues to flourish through discipleship, fellowship, and engaging activities led by Pastor Jeremy, helping young people grow in their relationship with Christ while building meaningful friendships.
Left photo: Retreat Picnic 2012 Right photo: Shining Stars Camp Science Brain Project]
Beyond our church walls, we are honored to partner with G & I Shining Stars Youth Society, a community outreach ministry serving children, youth, and families in Vancouver’s inner city. Through after-school tutoring, leadership development, summer camps, mentoring, meals, and outreach programs, this ministry continues to build bridges between the church and the community.
The camp operated out of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church at 1803 E. 1st Ave until February 28,1999 and subsequently moved to the current location at Ward Memorial Baptist Church.
The challenge was to develop a camp summer program which was biblically based, educational, multiculturally relevant, motivational, fun, economical, with the capability of keeping kids motivated for four to eight weeks.
Seniors Enrichment Time with Pastor Jusuf leading Exercises
These challenges became rooted in the scriptural philosophy of the camp—i.e. The camp will be a caring environment where both leaders and campers will experience and demonstrate fruits of the spirit: “love, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:23). The camp emphasizes a total quality approach, which focuses on the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of campers and staff. It is a place where each camper can attempt their motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, in addition to Philippians 2:14-16). Every camper and leader attempts their personal best, acquires new skills, experiences fun in learning, builds new relationships, and contributes to the community.
Another meaningful expression of outreach at Ward Memorial Baptist Church is Seniors Enrichment Time (SET). SET provides a welcoming and safe social network for seniors in the community. The group meets once a month, with a summer break in July and August. Each gathering includes a nutritious, three-course, home-cooked meal, seated exercises, a biblical message, friendship and fellowship, engaging activities, and special presentations on practical topics such as abuse prevention, fraud awareness, and scam prevention. At the end of each gathering, every senior also receives a fruit package to take home. This year, WMBC was blessed to receive support through the Active in Mission Food Security Grant, which has helped significantly with the rising cost of food and allowed this ministry to continue blessing seniors in a tangible way.
Our Women’s Ministry is another growing part of church life. Led by a team of three women from our congregation, the ministry hosts one gathering each season—Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall—bringing women together through worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and practical encouragement. In addition, many women participate in prayer partner groups, meeting regularly in groups of two or three to support one another spiritually. A prayer box also remains available for anonymous prayer requests, reminding every woman that no burden is carried alone.
At Ward Memorial, we truly believe the church is more than a building—it is a family. We rejoice in seeing lives transformed, people coming to faith, baptisms, answered prayers, and the next generation being raised to follow Christ.
As we honor our history, we also look forward with expectation, trusting God to continue using our church as a light in Vancouver and beyond.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Ibid.
