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The first worship service at St. Helen’s Anglican Church in the South Westminster (now known as Whalley) neighbourhood took place on November 26th, 1911.

The current congregation celebrated this milestone anniversary exactly 100 years to the day later with an evening prayer service on Saturday, November 26th, 2011, followed by a community meal and continued the celebrations through the weekend with a visit from Bishop Michael and a service of Baptism on Sunday, November 27th at 10am.
 
 

Bishop Michael celebrated the baptism and preached at the liturgy.
After the Sunday service there was a sit-down lunch served to the community.
Things have changed a great deal in the Surrey neighbourhood since that first worship service. 100 years ago the neighbourhood of South Westminster was home to men and their families who made their living from the Fraser river: fishing, milling, dock-working and other labours associated with the Lower Mainland’s then growing natural resources industries.
Now of course it is one of the most multi-cultural regions in the country but still home to working families.

In an interview given by St. Helen’s Incumbent, the Rev. Michael McGee to the Surrey Leader, November 23rd, 2011 he said “St. Helen’s has a unique place in Surrey. We’re actually one of four congregations that worship here.” The other three are: Mar Thomas (an East Indian church), a Korean-Presbyterian congregation and a Japanese Mennonite faith community.
 

The St. Helen’s Anglican congregation has evolved in recent years from a majority Caucasian membership to an ethnic mix that more accurately represents the surrounding neighbourhood, consisting of folks who have immigrated from: Africa, Sri Lanka, the Phillipines, Jamaica and the former Burma.

Congratulates on this auspicious anniversary and may the community continue to offer compassionate service and an unconditional welcome to all those who come to St. Helen’s for many more years.
Images: Top left, Congregation at the November 26th Centennial Candlelight Prayer Services.  Middle: Saturday evening reception.
Lower right, Lunch after the November 27th worship.
Below:1.  Memorabilia table displayed at the November 26th reception . 2. Bishop Michael presents the newly baptized Makani Szwaba to the St. Helen's family.