St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Victoria, British Columbia)

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church in downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The congregation was founded in 1862 and the current church building was completed in 1890.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 2018
Map
48°25′26″N 123°21′58″W / 48.4238°N 123.366°W / 48.4238; -123.366
LocationVictoria, British Columbia
CountryCanada
DenominationPresbyterian
Websitestandrewsvictoria.ca
History
Founded1862; 162 years ago (1862)
Founder(s)John Hall
Architecture
Architect(s)Leonard Buttress Trimen
StyleScottish baronial
Years built1889–1890
Administration
PresbyteryVancouver Island
Clergy
Minister(s)Rev. Mitch Coggin

History

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The congregation was founded in 1862 by Irish-born Rev. John Hall. Their first church building opened in November 1863 on the corner of Blanshard Street and Pandora Street. The earlier ministers of the church played an important role in spreading Presbyterianism throughout Vancouver Island and the interior of the province.[1]

As the congregation grew in size, owing to Victoria's sizeable Scottish population, the corner stone for the present church was laid on March 7, 1889. The church was designed in the Scottish baronial style by architect Leonard Buttress Trimen. It was dedicated on January 12, 1890. The church was one of the first in North America to be constructed with electric lights.[1]

The church has had many prominent congregants including Premier John Robson, whose funeral was held in the church, and industrialist Robert Dunsmuir.[1]

In 1925, St. Andrew's voted to remain Presbyterian when two-thirds of the denomination split to form the United Church of Canada. In 1979, the church received heritage designation from the City of Victoria.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church". Canada's Historic Places. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
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