St. Helen's celebrates its 100th year in 2012.  You are warmly welcome to join us in events and special services throughout the year.  Watch this page for details, as well as stories shared by parishioners about their favourite St. Helen's memories.

A BRIEF HISTORY
ST. HELEN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH
West Point Grey, Vancouver, B.C.

In 2012, St. Helen's Anglican Church will proudly celebrate 100 years of worship in West Point Grey.

On September 22, 1912, the Reverend H. R. Trumpour and 21 parishioners gathered at the Point Grey School building, where Queen Mary School is now located, to hold the first official Anglican service in West Point Grey.  Services continued at that location until after World War I when a small wooden building was constructed at the corner of 8th Avenue and Trimble Street. 100 members were present on February 4, 1921 for the opening service in the new church. During Rev. Trumpour's 35 years as Rector, many additions were built onto the original building and in 1938 a bell tower and bell were added.

Reverend J. Whinfield Robinson followed Reverend Trumpour in 1947 and the church continued to grow. Three properties west of the church were purchased and a church hall and parking lot were built on that land. A Memorial Garden was also created and consecrated for the interment of ashes.

Sadly, on November 10, 1971, the main church building was destroyed by fire. The altar, pews, memorial windows, and the Rector's office and its contents were all lost. Fortunately, the fire door saved the Church Hall and it suffered no damage. After the fire, the church received many generous donations from parishioners and other sources. A Rebuilding Committee quickly set to work and on Christmas Eve, 1972 the first service was held in the new church building.

Today St. Helen's continues to offer many opportunities for worship and fellowship. Bible Study groups, Youth Ministry and Sunday School, a Senior's group, a Garden Club, Musical Vespers on Wednesday evenings, and a beautiful Music Ministry all help to make St. Helen's a vibrant community. The parish participates in a Neighbourhood Ministry with two other local Anglican churches, and this weekly outreach to the homeless in Point Grey is an important and well-supported program.

Through the coming year as the church prepares to honour its centenary, the congregation at St. Helen's will welcome the community to join in many activities to celebrate both the past and present and to look forward to the next 100 years.
Chronology of Rectors:
1912 – 1947    Reverend H. R. Trumpour
1947 – 1974    Canon J. Winfield Robinson
1974 – 1979    Rev. T.M. Allen
1980 – 1985    Rev. J.D. McClintock
1985 – 1994    Rev. G. Allan Kerr
1995 – 2002    Rev. Robert D. Wismer
2000 – 2009    Rev. Brian Vickers
2010 – current    Rev. Scott Gould