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The first worship service at the newly built church at the end of a muddy logging road east of the young city of Vancouver took place on January 7th, 1912.
100 years later to the day the current congregation of St. Thomas’ gathered to worship together and shared a community meal.
January 7th, 2012 fell on a Saturday so another celebration was scheduled for the next day, designated the “official” Centennial Worship. Bishop Michael Ingham was the preacher and presided at the Eucharist. Pastor “Hergy” Hergesheimer and the congregation of First Lutheran Church situated two blocks to the east on 41st Ave., joined their Anglican sisters and brothers for worship on Sunday, January 8th.
The service began with a presentation by parishioner and chorister, Nicky Stowell who brilliantly performed a monologue outlining the founding and early history of St. Thomas’. Adopting the persona of parishioner, Mrs Sluggett (see the woman in the hat at the head of the table in the Fall 1911 Carpenter’s Tea Break” photo) she explained that the land where St. Thomas’ stands was not particularly desirable real estate 101 years ago and therefore the property was very reasonable priced. Founder, William Clarke was aware that Vancouver was growing very quickly and would likely spread out to the southeast. He’d hoped that the expansion would produce a large congregation for the new church. And he was correct, at that first service there were 175 in attendance.
Clergy present at the first service were the Archdeacon for the area, the Venerable Edwyn S.W. Pentreath and the first Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, Rev. G.E. Wilson.
Nicky in the guise of Mrs. Sluggett was quick to point out that “at the opening service there was a Venerable Archdeacon present but here at the 100th we have a Bishop!”
The collection at the first service yielded the princely sum of $14.50.
For all the blessings you have granted us, Lord, give us thankful hearts, we pray:
For life and health and happiness, and for the gift of each new day:
For all the blessings your have granted us, Lord, give us thankful hearts, we pray:
For worship and for fellowship, for love and comfort each new day;
For all our families and loves one, the friends we meet along our way,
We thank you, Lord, they are your gift:
Lord we praise you, Lord, we bless you, in your service let us all you love repay.
Look all around you: You’ll see a miracle or two;
Ev’ry Sunday at St. Thomas’, doors open for you.
One hundred years today we celebrate, one hundred years to sing your praise:
We thank you, Lord, for love and joy, to you our voices now we raise.
You are the One who never changes: Through all eternity the same:
Be with us, Lord, for evermore: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord, we praise your Holy Name.