Our Churches
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The Parish of Salt Spring Island consists of three points: All Saints’ By-the-Sea in Ganges, St. Mark’s Church just north of Central on North End Road, and St. Mary’s Church on Fulford-Ganges Road across from the Fulford Hall.
ALL SAINTS’ BY-THE-SEA (since 1994)
All Saints is located in Downtown Ganges at 110 Park Drive.
Originally the community of Christ at St. George’s was located across the street, the church was rebuilt in 1994 where it now stands.
ST. MARK’S CHURCH (since 1892)
St. Mark’s Church has been firmly perched above North End Road, a beacon for worshipers since 1892.
In 1889, about a half acre of land was donated for the building of a church by Henry Stevens who, at that time, owned what is now the Cunningham farm. Local Anglicans, Presbyterians and Methodists all joined together to build the church, which eventually became the oldest Anglican church on the Island. Construction was done by Samuel Beddis and his son Charles, while Carl Walter framed the roof. Needless to say, construction was slow since time off from the rigours of daily farm labour was a challenge and St. Mark’s was still incomplete at its consecration in 1892.
Rev. J. Belton Haslam was the first resident minister on Salt Spring, from 1891 to 1894, and was followed by the Rev. Edward Wilson, during whose term St. Mark’s became much as we see it today.
New oak furniture was installed at the church’s diamond jubilee. The lovely furnishings of the altar were the work of some devoted women of the Altar Guild, with exquisite needlework.
The stone wall and handsome iron gates were erected in memory of benefactor Henry Bullock.
Many hours were donated to build a porch, concrete walk and steps, and in 1961 the Leigh-Spencer room was built on the south side for use as a Sunday School room, and has various uses today.
Today, the ladies of the Altar Guild still tend to the beautification of the church with flowers for the weekly Sunday and Tuesday services and care for the linens, brasses and vessels used for the Eucharist. They also make donations to charities both on and off the Island.
(Excerpt from the Gulf Islands’ Driftwood by Lottie Devindisch)
ST. MARY’S CHURCH (since 1894)
June 8th is the Anniversary of St. Mary’s Church, located in Fulford on Fulford-Ganges Road. The patronal festival for St. Mary is held on August 15th (please see the events calendar for up-to-date information on this festival).