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‘Monstrous’ building
“Anger and sadness mixed with joy and relief, as
former students of the Port Alberni Indian Residential School came from all
over B.C. to help destroy the ‘monstrous’ building.”
Those words introduced a February 12 CanWest News
story, telling about former students of the school visiting it prior to its
imminent demolition. In a private ceremony, the ex-students reminisced
about their school memories, before pulling siding from the building and
burning it.
Elizabeth God, a Snuneymuxw First Nation person, noted:
“Today, these people helped me realize there isn’t a monster
here.” She attended the school at age six, around 1967. The
school was open from 1920 to 1972, as a federal institution operated mostly
under United Church auspices.
New Life busy
Several special events will take place in and around
New Life Community Baptist Church in Duncan, during March.
The first, set for March 14, 9 am – 3 pm is a
Revolutionary Parenting Simulcast, featuring pollster George Barna; Jim
Burns; John Townsend; and Steve and Valerie Bell.
On March 21, there is a Nearly New Fashion Show
fundraiser. It is a New Life Women’s Ministry event and will feature
a fashion show, shopping boutique and beaded jewelry. Proceeds go to
Somenos House, Sanctuary II Project and MOPs.
One week later, March 28 at 7 pm, there will be a My
Brother’s Keeper fundraiser. This is the fourth annual such event,
and includes music, drama and dance.
More info at 250.748.6521.
Winter’s ‘birthplace’
Did you know that the Nanaimo church now known as
Wakesiah Gospel Chapel is 105 years old, and has been meeting in its
present location for 33 years?
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The church began by meeting in a home. Growth led to
the renting of the Finnish Church on Victoria Road.
Later the group bought the building, changed its name
to Victoria Road Gospel Hall and stayed there for 70 years.
Some important trivia: Victoria Road Gospel Hall was
where the late Terry Winter, well-known as a Christian broadcaster, came to
faith in Christ.
He was influenced by the preaching of an itinerant
evangelist and former prize fighter, Stan Ford, whose evangelistic mission
he attended at the little church.
Winter passed away 10 years ago, having not yet reached
his 60th birthday.
More info about Wakesiah, including audio from many
sermons preached at the church, is available at wakesiah-chapel.org.
– Lloyd
Mackey
March 2009
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