St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge - Anniversary Weekend
The oldest church building in the Diocese of New Westminster, St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge dedicated the May 4 and 5 weekend to a celebration of its 160th anniversary.
Saturday, May 4 was the Open House, a day of celebration in honour of the little church with a big history. The church was first built in Fort Langley (Derby) in the 1850s at the height of the Gold Rush. The building was relocated to Maple Ridge in 1882 by floating it across the Fraser River! Then in 1983, it was moved once more to give more space between the building and the road. If you’d like to know more about this little wandering church, please visit: http://stjohnmr.com/history/
The parish Open House event showcased community partnerships, offered crafts and food for sale, and was attended by approximately 100 friends old and new, including the Historical Society of Maple Ridge, MLA Lisa Beare and MP Dan Ruimy. Parishioners dressed in period costume certainly added to the atmosphere, and all enjoyed the time of conversation and connection.
We are grateful to all who worked so hard to make this event a success, and to all who took time to visit with us.
On Sunday, May 5, Archbishop Melissa Skelton visited the parish to preach and preside at the Eucharist. Archbishop Skelton blessed a prayer shawl made by two parishioners for a third parishioner who is ill, and also blessed a chalice and paten set turned by St. John’s vicar, the Reverend Laurel Dahill from some beautiful and ancient cedar that she was given by a member of the parish.
Many of the women wore hats and period dress in honour of the anniversary. After worship there was an abundant and beautifully presented lunch and social time. At the lunch Archbishop Skelton was presented with a portrait of the building painted by Lawrence Ogrodnick.
Click this link to access the story on The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News' Web site.
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SATURDAY
- Painting of the church by parishioner Lawrence Ogrodnick
- Greeting at the door with smile and a Hershey’s Kiss
- St. John’s activities display board
- St. John’s community connections display board
- Tai Chi demonstrations with the Ridge Meadows Senior Centre
- Carol in her beautiful handmade dress
- MP Dan Ruimy, Vicar, the Reverend Laurel Dahill, MLA Lisa Beare M
- More period costumes
- Friendships thrive at St. John’s
Sunday
- Welcome Sign Sunday Morning
- Archbishop Skelton blesses the prayer shawl
- Archbishop Skelton blesses the paten and chalice.
- The giant teapot was a gift given in celebration of the parish’s 150th and is used on special occasions.
- Many of the women wore hats and dresses in honour of the anniversary.
- Lunch was abundant and beautifully presented.
- Lawrence Ogrodnick painted a portrait of the building as a gift for Her Grace.