100 Years of Gilmore School video collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10596
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2017
- Collection/Fonds
- 100 Years of Gilmore School video collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 42 min.) : digital, 24 fps and 29 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of film content relating to the history of Gilmore Avenue School (Gilmore Community School) upon the recognition of it's 100th anniversary and includes a documentary film created by Yunuen Perez Vertti titled: "100 Years of Gilmore School" along with five short anecdotal films from s…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- 100 Years of Gilmore School video collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 42 min.) : digital, 24 fps and 29 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of film content relating to the history of Gilmore Avenue School (Gilmore Community School) upon the recognition of it's 100th anniversary and includes a documentary film created by Yunuen Perez Vertti titled: "100 Years of Gilmore School" along with five short anecdotal films from students past and present.
- History
- In 2016, the Heights Neighbourhood Association decided to recognize the 100th anniversary of Gilmore Avenue School. The Association partnered with filmmaker and producer, Yunuen Perez Vertti to create a film featuring historic photographs and interviews with students from decades past. The premier screening of the film was held at Gilmore Community School on Friday May 13, 2016. The film was later screened at Burnaby's McGill Public Library on January 17, 2017 where community members were invited to share their own memories of the school in front of the audience. Some of these memories were captured on film by Yunuen Perez Vertti and donated with permissions to Burnaby Village Museum.
- Accession Code
- BV018.13
- BV017.48
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 2017
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
St. Helen's Parish fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77922
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1992-2012
- Collection/Fonds
- St. Helen's Parish fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1.5 cm. of textual records + 1 medallion
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of posters, cards, anniversary programs, a pictorial photo directory, a calendar, a book and a medallion related to St. Helen's Parish. Items in this fonds depict its Centennial Celebrations.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1992-2012
- Collection/Fonds
- St. Helen's Parish fonds
- Physical Description
- 1.5 cm. of textual records + 1 medallion
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Number
- 2013-10
- 2013-11
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of posters, cards, anniversary programs, a pictorial photo directory, a calendar, a book and a medallion related to St. Helen's Parish. Items in this fonds depict its Centennial Celebrations.
- History
- In the first years of the 20th century, the hill overlooking the city of Vancouver was barely developed. This area, known as Vancouver Heights, commands a magnificent view of the city, the north shore mountains, and the sea. During the first decade, there was just a handful of people willing to brave the inconvenience of living in a remote area to dwell in such splendour. Among them were 10 Catholic families. They dreamt about establishing a Catholic community, a church, and perhaps even a school of their own. They knew it would take hard work and sacrifice to realize their dream. In 1912, the Second Narrows Bridge and several industrial plants were built in this area. Archbishop Neil McNeil, recognizing the potential for greater development, requested aid from Toronto's Catholic Extension Society, to help purchase property at the corner of Pandora and Ingleton to build a small church and home for the priest. The $6000 construction expense was donated by Mr. Justice Kelly, who requested that the church be named Saint Helen in memory of his daughter, Helen. On August 11, 1912, Saint Helen's church was blessed. 12 years later, in 1923, a second dream was realized with the construction of Saint Helen's School. The Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul would staff the school for over 50 years, dedicating their lives to the education of thousands of children. 1936 began an era of unprecedented growth under the leadership of Msgr. Daniel Carey. In 1948, despite post-war hardships, he was able to inspire his community to build a new school. He then turned his attention to the over-crowded church and, in 1956, to the delight of the parishioners, the new Saint Helen's Church was blessed. By 1973, the demographics of Saint Helen's Parish had experienced a dramatic change. From the Anglo-Irish parishioners of the early years, Saint Helen's was experiencing a huge increase in parishioners of Italian descent. Archbishop James Carney, realizing the need to better serve these immigrants, asked the Scalabrinian Congregation to take the parish under its care. The second era of physical growth and development in the parish would come under the direction of these missionary priests. The 1970s, with Father Joseph Ponti as pastor, would see the construction of a new rectory, a state-of-the-art hall/gymnasium, and a fully renovated school. Father Joe's dream was the construction of a church, with this in mind, he began to purchase the necessary land. Succeeding pastors Father Angelo Calandra and Father Peter Sordi continued to work towards this dream, accumulating land and initiating the process. Father Claudio Holzer, upon assuming the responsibilities of pastor, took a firm hold of the dreams of his predecessors and shaped them into the reality of the new Saint Helen's Church. From the beginning, St. Helen's Parish has been an active community participant in this area of Burnaby and continues to enjoy this participation not only here but in Metro Vancouver as well. On August 11, 2012, St. Helen's Catholic Church and Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. -Information contributed by M. Tesan has been combined with information from the official website of the church.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Creator
- St. Helen's Catholic Church
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- MSS174
Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12986
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1970-1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 57 architectural drawings + approx. 45 cm of textual records + 94 photographs + 1 video recording (mp4) + 1 film reel
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of records documenting the planning and development of the Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee's commemorative project, Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum) prior to it's opening in November 1971. These records were created and/or accumulated by various members of the Burnaby…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 57 architectural drawings + approx. 45 cm of textual records + 94 photographs + 1 video recording (mp4) + 1 film reel
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of records documenting the planning and development of the Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee's commemorative project, Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum) prior to it's opening in November 1971. These records were created and/or accumulated by various members of the Burnaby ’71 Centennial Committee sub-committee, Heritage Village staff and the Century Park Museum Association.
- History
- The Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee was formed in accordance with the British Columbia Centennial '71 Act and was directed by the Provincial Centennial '71 Committee. In April 1970, a representative group of Burnaby citizens were appointed to the committee. Members of the committee included: Ex-Officio Mayor Robert W. Prittie; Chairman, James A. Barrrington; Vice Chairman, Gordon H. Skene; Secretary-Treasurer, Charles B. Brown; Alderman, John D. Drummond; Mrs. Joan Johnston; Mrs. Martin Dunsmuir; Miss Rose Bancroft; Msgr. J.E. Brown; Messrs. Elmer Buckingham; A.B. "Sandy" Stewart; Vic Stusiak; Fraser Wilson; Don Copan and Richard Smith. The purpose of the committee was to ensure that all Burnaby citizens as individuals, family groups or members of community organizations had an opportunity to participate and contribute to celebrations marking the 100th Anniversary of the entry of British Columbia into Confederation and further to make written suggestions of a permanent Centennial project of lasting value and significance to the community. Programs and special events sponsored by the committee included; Flag raising ceremony on January 1, 1971, New Year's Day Ceremony, parades, plays (including "Barkerville '71"), musical events, Burnaby pioneer award presentations, a horse show, lacrosse jamboree, minor baseball, volleyball, tennis, football, soccer, judo and field hockey tournaments, a swim meet, an antique car rally, Easter egg hunt, Rocketry meet, Boy Scouts outdoor action show, Girl Guides "camporee", Midsummer Festival at Burnaby Arts Centre, Rhododendrun Festival at Century Gardens, Variety show, Centennial Ball, Burnaby Rhodendrun Flower show, a Miss Burnaby Pageant, Sports Day, Burnaby Amateur Radio Club party, Centennial '71 Caravan, Centennial High School Art Contest, Sod Turning Ceremony at Heritage park Museum and opening of Heritage Village Museum in November. A sub-committee of the Centennial Committee was responsible for the development of a City of Burnaby permanent commemorative project which became Heritage Village. Sandy Stewart was the sub-committee chair who worked with Richie Smith and Vic Stusiak to develop the concept for an open- air museum reflective of a tram stop community. Architect Rudy Kovacs was hired to come up with a design for the project. Official sod-turning of Heritage Village took place on April 11, 1971. Mayor Bob Prittie officially turned the sod in front of the Elworth house before a crowd of 500. In the spring of 1971, a Heritage Village Director and Curator were hired to oversee the development of the project and acquire artifacts. Salaries were paid through the Parks Commission. The sub-committee continued to assist in overseeing the project to completion. Vic Stusiak set up an administrative structure to govern the new museum. The building of the museum was contracted by Ballarin Bros. Construction at a cost of $121,000 and work began in mid July. Trevi Construction Co. was contracted to do the finished carpentry on the project. The Century Park Museum Association was formed to govern Heritage Village with directors elected on October 26, 1971. Heritage Village officially opened on November 19, 1971 with Mayor Bob Prittie and Governor General Roland Michener in attendance. On January 27, 1972 the committee turned over the Heritage Village Project to the Corporation of the District of Burnaby. After this, the committee was dissolved and all remaining funds were transferred to the Century Park Museum Association which took over the governance of Heritage Village, later known as Burnaby Village Museum.
- Creator
- Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee
- Accession Code
- BV985.6018
- BV000.18
- BV019.52
- BV020.5
- BV022.9
- Date
- 1970-1971
- Related Material
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Arrangement
- Records were accumulated and donated by various donors over time. They were arranged and described by subject and format as discrete items originating from this committee.
- Notes
- Title based on content of collection
- Some records within this collection have restricted access - contact Burnaby Village Museum for further information
- Further accruals are expected
Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95081
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 50 photographs (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs taken by Burnaby Photographic Society members to document the city of Burnaby during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The Society's theme for its 50th anniversary was COVID-19.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 50 photographs (tiff)
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2020-10
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs taken by Burnaby Photographic Society members to document the city of Burnaby during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The Society's theme for its 50th anniversary was COVID-19.
- History
- The Burnaby Photographic Society was established in 1970. The Society comprises photography hobbyists, enthusiasts, and professionals who meet weekly at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Members participate in local and national competitions, conduct field outings, and host events including image critique evenings and an annual "Showcase" fundraiser and celebration of photography.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Burnaby Photographic Society
- Notes
- PC623
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13037
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1990-2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- Over 3000 photographs + approx. 100 architectural drawings + technical drawings + 25 videocassettes + 43 video recordings (mp4) + 2 video recordings (m4v) + 56 sound recordings (mp3) + 5 audio cassettes + approx. 2 m. of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a selection of curatorial records created and collected by the Burnaby Village Museum in the course of their work. Records pertain to the village site, exhibits, programs, curatorial projects, outreach and special events. Fonds is arranged in the following series: 1) Museum photo…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- Over 3000 photographs + approx. 100 architectural drawings + technical drawings + 25 videocassettes + 43 video recordings (mp4) + 2 video recordings (m4v) + 56 sound recordings (mp3) + 5 audio cassettes + approx. 2 m. of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a selection of curatorial records created and collected by the Burnaby Village Museum in the course of their work. Records pertain to the village site, exhibits, programs, curatorial projects, outreach and special events. Fonds is arranged in the following series: 1) Museum photographs series 2) Museum film collection series 3) Museum architectural records series 4) Museum Marketing photographs series 5) Museum exhibits series 6) Museum reports series 7) Curatorial Collections adminstrative records series 8) Museum Oral Histories series 9) Jesse Love farmhouse series 10) Bell's Dry Goods series 11) Burnaby Neighbourhood Speaker Series series 12) C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel series 13) Royal Bank exhibit series 14) UBC Partnership series 15) Burnaby Community Heritage Commission 125 Video Collection series
- History
- Burnaby Village Museum is an open air museum that represents a typical tram-stop community. Museum interpreters welcome visitors, provide demonstrations and on site programming. The museum’s collection consists of thousands of artifacts, community records as well as several original Burnaby heritage buildings, a 1912 carousel, 1912 B.C. Electric Railway interurban tram, a Chinese Market Garden and Indigenous Learning House and Matriarch's Garden. In 1990, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby assumed the operation and management of Burnaby Village Museum from the Burnaby Village Museum Association. Burnaby Village Museum (formerly named Heritage Village) was originally created by the Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee in 1971 as a commemorative project for British Columbia's Centennial. A concept for an open-air museum was developed near Deer Lake on Districts Lots 79/ 85. The official sod turning for Heritage Village took place on the site on April 11, 1971. In the spring of 1971, a museum director and curator were hired to oversee the development of the project and the acquisition of artifacts with funding from the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Century Park Museum Association (later named Burnaby Village Museum Association) was formed on October 26, 1971 as a governing body for Heritage Village Museum. The museum opened on November 19, 1971 with Mayor Bob Pritte and Canada's Governor General Roland Michener. IN July 1972, the museum opened for it's first public season. The Village was described as depictive of the 1890 to 1920 era of the lower mainland. Since 1990, the site expanded from it’s original four acre size to it's current ten acres. In the 1990s and early 2000s staff and volunteers created exhibits and programs about Burnaby with an emphasis on the 1920s. Since it's 40th anniversary in 2011, the museum has implemented changes to make the museum more interactive and inclusive in telling the story of Burnaby's history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- X2294
- X5124
- X5125
- BV013.19
- BV017.39
- BV017.45
- BV018.6
- BV018.12
- BV018.14
- BV018.18
- BV018.41
- BV019.2
- BV019.13
- BV019.15
- BV019.18
- BV019.19
- BV019.36
- Bv019.39
- BV019.52
- BV019.61
- BV020.4
- BV020.5
- BV020.12
- BV020.28
- BV020.29
- BV021.5
- BV021.7
- BV021.14
- BV021.17
- BV021.31
- BV022.1
- BV022.2
- BV022.27
- Date
- 1990-2019
- Media Type
- Architectural Drawing
- Moving Images
- Photograph
- Sound Recording
- Technical Drawing
- Textual Record
- Arrangement
- The following series have been arranged into subseries: Exhibits series; Oral History series; Jesse Love farmhouse series; Bell's Dry Goods exhibits series; Burnaby Neighbourhood Speaker Series series; C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel series; Royal Bank exhibits series; UBC Partnership series
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Further accruals expected
- For other records pertaining to the history of Burnaby Village Museum see: Don Copan collection; Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection; Century Park Museum Association fonds; Don Wrigley fonds
- See Artifacts descriptions for Publications and Newsletters produced by Burnaby Village Museum and Century Park Museum Association
Gordon Presbyterian Church fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97220
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912-1950 (date of originals); 2012
- Collection/Fonds
- Gordon Presbyterian Church fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 9 photograph : col ; 10 x 15 cm.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs created by members of the Gordon Presbyterian Church that depict the Church and district as well as events and activities undertaken by or for church groups. Included in the fonds are photographs taken at the Church's one hundredth anniversary event.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912-1950 (date of originals); 2012
- Collection/Fonds
- Gordon Presbyterian Church fonds
- Physical Description
- 9 photograph : col ; 10 x 15 cm.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2013-12
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs created by members of the Gordon Presbyterian Church that depict the Church and district as well as events and activities undertaken by or for church groups. Included in the fonds are photographs taken at the Church's one hundredth anniversary event.
- History
- In November 1911, a small group of people met at Morton Hall on Edmonds Street, Burnaby, to organize a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. David J. Gordon, a student from Westminster Hall Theological College, was in charge. By 1912, a building was erected on two lots and named the Gordon Presbyterian Church. A new sanctuary was built in 1956 and, due to the increase in the congregation, a Christan Education Centre was added in 1974. The longest minister to serve the congregation was Reverend George Philps and his wife Margaret. After 21 years, he retired in 1987. In April of 1988, Reverend Charles Scott began serving. Six months later, a fire broke out in the centre portion of the complex. For many months, while reconstruction continued, worship services were held at the Edmonds Community Centre for the Retired. In 2001, Reverend Cal MacLeod and his wife Robin joined the congregation. Mrs. Marie Douglas, wife of retired minister Reverend R. J. Douglas and mother of missionary to India, Ellen Douglas, started the first Women’s Missionary Auxiliary in 1932. The Ladies Aid Societies were an active force in the Gordon Presbyterian Church. In 1957, the original Ladies Aid became known as the Margaret Hall Circle, named after Margaret Philps’ mother, who had been an active member. For many years, the COC, Explorers and CGIT were very active and Sunday School classes have been in operation since the beginning.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Gordon Presbyterian Church
- Notes
- Title based on content of fonds
- PC 555
Robinson-Surgenor collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18746
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-1931] (date of originals), copied 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Robinson-Surgenor collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 15 photographs (tiffs)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of photographs of train locomotive "Old Curly" along with photographs of other locomotives. Photographs of "Old Curly" were taken during it's early logging days and when it was moved back to Vancouver. Photographs were maintained and collected by William F. Surgenor and later by…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Robinson-Surgenor collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 15 photographs (tiffs)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of photographs of train locomotive "Old Curly" along with photographs of other locomotives. Photographs of "Old Curly" were taken during it's early logging days and when it was moved back to Vancouver. Photographs were maintained and collected by William F. Surgenor and later by his grandson Bill Robinson.
- History
- William F. Surgenor was born in Ireland in 1877 and in 1905 William Surgenor immigrated to British Columbia. In 1912, William Surgenor married Bessie Duncan in Vancouver. William worked as a railway locomotive engineer and was toted in the Vancouver Sun as a legend among railroaders in British Columbia. His first railway job as train engineer in British Columbia was aboard the locomotive named "Old Curly". William Surgenor worked on the engine during it's logging service up Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast and before it was moved back to Vancouver around 1927. William and Bessie Surgenor had four children; William George "Tyke", Earl Almer, Alice Margrete (Robinson) and Robert. William and Bessie Surgenor's eldest son William "Tyke" Surgenor also worked on the railway as a fireman and brakeman. William William F. Surgenor died in 1965. The locomotive engine "Old Curly" was built in San Francisco in 1879 and was used during the building of the harbour sea wall. It was likley built by Marshutz & Cantrell. It was acquired by Andrew Onderdonk in 1881 to use during construction of the Fraser Canyon section of the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR). The locomotive was the first logging locomotive in this area. It was later used on the section from Savona Ferry to Kamloops. The locomotive was layed up in 1887 and not used for several years until it was purchased by the British Columbia Timber and Trading Company (BCTTC) for use on their logging railway in Surrey. In the early 1900s the engine was shifted from Surrey to the company operations north of Powell River and was a familiar sight carrying logs from Hastings Mill. It was brought back to Vancouver, in a damaged condition and stored on BCTTC property around 1927, was acquired by the CPR and restored as a 50th Anniversary Project in 1930. It was displayed at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds until the 1973 when it was brought to Heritage Village (later Burnaby Village Museum) and restored again.
- Creator
- Surgenor, William F.
- Accession Code
- BV016.52
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1905-1931] (date of originals), copied 2016
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Arrangement
- A selection of 15 photographs (negatives and prints) with a common subject were loaned for reproduction purposes (three of the photographs were prints from negatives). Photographs are arranged and described at item level. Low resolution copies of each photograph have been made available on Heritage Burnaby.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Sheila Minni fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58376
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consist of photographs showing St. Helen's Church in Burnaby Heights.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-04
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consist of photographs showing St. Helen's Church in Burnaby Heights.
- History
- In the first years of the 20th century, the hill overlooking the city of Vancouver was barely developed. This area, known as Vancouver Heights, commands a magnificent view of the city, the north shore mountains, and the sea. During the first decade, there was just a handful of people willing to brave the inconvenience of living in a remote area to dwell in such splendour. Among them were 10 Catholic families. They dreamt about establishing a Catholic community, a church, and perhaps even a school of their own. They knew it would take hard work and sacrifice to realize their dream. In 1912, the Second Narrows Bridge and several industrial plants were built in this area. Archbishop Neil McNeil, recognizing the potential for greater development, requested aid from Toronto's Catholic Extension Society, to help purchase property at the corner of Pandora and Ingleton to build a small church and home for the priest. The $6000 construction expense was donated by Mr. Justice Kelly, who requested that the church be named Saint Helen in memory of his daughter, Helen. On August 11, 1912, Saint Helen's church was blessed. 12 years later, in 1923, a second dream was realized with the construction of Saint Helen's School. The Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul would staff the school for over 50 years, dedicating their lives to the education of thousands of children. 1936 began an era of unprecedented growth under the leadership of Msgr. Daniel Carey. In 1948, despite post-war hardships, he was able to inspire his community to build a new school. He then turned his attention to the over-crowded church and, in 1956, to the delight of the parishioners, the new Saint Helen's Church was blessed. By 1973, the demographics of Saint Helen's Parish had experienced a dramatic change. From the Anglo-Irish parishioners of the early years, Saint Helen's was experiencing a huge increase in parishioners of Italian descent. Archbishop James Carney, realizing the need to better serve these immigrants, asked the Scalabrinian Congregation to take the parish under its care. The second era of physical growth and development in the parish would come under the direction of these missionary priests. The 1970s, with Father Joseph Ponti as pastor, would see the construction of a new rectory, a state-of-the-art hall/gymnasium, and a fully renovated school. Father Joe's dream was the construction of a church, with this in mind, he began to purchase the necessary land. Succeeding pastors Father Angelo Calandra and Father Peter Sordi continued to work towards this dream, accumulating land and initiating the process. Father Claudio Holzer, upon assuming the responsibilities of pastor, took a firm hold of the dreams of his predecessors and shaped them into the reality of the new Saint Helen's Church. From the beginning, St. Helen's Parish has been an active community participant in this area of Burnaby and continues to enjoy this participation not only here but in Metro Vancouver as well. On August 11, 2012, St. Helen's Catholic Church and Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. -Information contributed by M. Tesan has been combined with information from the official website of the church.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Minni, Sheila
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds.
- Photo catalogue 495