St. Margaret of Scotland

St. Margaret of Scotland is 75

The original St. Margaret of Scotland is, or would be, roughly a thousand years old, were she still around. The North Burnaby church named for her, however, is 75, and celebrated that anniversary near its patron's feast day, in mid-November.

Archbishop Douglas Hambidge was the guest speaker, and he insisted that a true celebration take place. And so, the three-day event began with a wine and cheese party, continued with a day of discussions, and concluded with eucharist and luncheon. Among those attending were veteran Burnaby councillor Lee Rankin and Burnaby North MLA Richard Lee.

The parish was formed in 1929, on the edge of the Great Depression, on land donated by industrialist George Easthope. That was the same year colored motion pictures were shown for the first time in Vancouver and Winston Churchill opened the Provincial Exhibition in New Westminster. The opening of the church on Sperling Avenue in then semi-rural Burnaby did not cause as much excitement.

The original rector was the Rev. Harold Henderson, and his son, Philip, is still a St. Margaret's parishioner. The current rector, who has held that position for the past decade, is the Rev. Arthur Nash. The church membership is distinctively multicultural, and facilities are shared with the Agape Christian Church, a Taiwanese Presbyterian congregation.

Perhaps St. Margaret's most notable achievement in recent years has been the construction of two Abbeyfield houses for seniors, adjoining the church and operated by parish volunteers. "This congregation," says Arthur Nash, "is very community-minded."

Not unlike the original St. Margaret.