This Baptist congregation originally held services in a tent at the corner of McGregor Avenue and Portland but they soon were able to build a small church. A membership drive by Pastor Arthur James Bowbrick (1875-1961) was so successful that the congregation was able build this fine structure, prominently located at the corner of Victory Street. Although it has been altered with later additions and stucco over the original siding, the original windows and the rooftop belfry remain.
Photograph of members of the Alta Vista Baptist Church Sunday school class at the Jubilee Interurban train Station, on the way to a Picnic at Second Beach. Included in the photograph are, from left; Pearl Christian, Joy [last name unknown], Phyllis Smith, Ivy Smith, Dorothy Douglas, Grace Harrison,…
Photograph of members of the Alta Vista Baptist Church Sunday school class at the Jubilee Interurban train Station, on the way to a Picnic at Second Beach. Included in the photograph are, from left; Pearl Christian, Joy [last name unknown], Phyllis Smith, Ivy Smith, Dorothy Douglas, Grace Harrison, [unidentified]. Mrs. Nellie Davis [not pictured] taught this class.
Early Burnaby as recalled by the settlers themselves who arrived from every corner of the world between 1888 and 1930, some witnessing incorporation of the district in 1892, all seeking a better life for themselves and especially for their children, all helping transform the wilderness into the modern municipality of today.
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby 27 Mario 47% Bby p. 9"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Caption on verso reads: "Jan 11, 1998 27: / A Red Cross clinic assistant gets things ready for blood donors at a mobile clinic at Alta Vista Baptist Church. With the end of the holiday season, the Red Cross says there is a real need for donations."
Subseries consists of an essay written by Muriel Davis entitled "Growing up in the Great Depression".
History
Master cabinet maker Arthur Davis and his wife Nellie Davis (nee Chard) emigrated from England, settling in South Burnaby around 1912. They built a house on Rumble Road, two doors down from Nelson Avenue School.
Arthur and Nellie had five children: Arthur Jr., Alec, Mildred, Robert and Muriel, who was born in 1920. The family attended Alta Vista Baptist Church. Arthur Sr. built five more family homes over a 20 year period, all within the Imperial-Royal Oak area. Alec Davis died of an illness in 1940.
Muriel attended Nelson Avenue School, and later Burnaby South High School. At the age of four, Nellie started her on lessons that went on for fifteen years. These lessons included dance, drama, piano, singing, choir practice and bagpipes.
Muriel married pilot officer Gordon Skelhorne and went by Jean Shelhorne. Gordon studied medicine and became a family doctor. Jean received a Masters in Education and worked as an adult educator and counsellor. They had two children together, a daughter and a son. The son died in adolescence, the daughter now has a son of her own. Jean and Gordon Skelhorne moved from Burnaby to Mississauga, Ontario around 1963.