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Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, (Isaiah 46:9)

The following is an abbreviated history of Lynn Valley United Church taken from the References listed below. It is intended to provide an overview of the church’s history. Refer to the resources listed in the References should you desire more information.

Lynn Valley United Church Make-up

The various congregations which came to make up Lynn Valley United Church today include Lynn Valley Methodist Church, Knox Presbyterian Church, and West Lynnmour United Church.

Methodist Congregation

The first Methodist services were held in Lynn Valley in 1900 in a Shingle Mill. In 1904 the first school in Lynn Valley was built and worship services were moved there, and then later held in Institute Hall. In May 1912 a church was erected and dedicated on Institute Road.

Presbyterian Congregation

Presbyterian services in Lynn Valley began with the exploration of Mission work from St. Andrew's Presbyterian in 1906. The first Presbyterian services began in 1909 and in 1911 a church building was dedicated, with the church being named "Knox Church."  It was built on property donated by Mr. Julius Fromme.

The Amalgamation Which Formed the United Church of Canada in June 1925

In 1925, the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations came together in a Union to form Lynn Valley United Church. The Knox Church and Manse property were retained for the new congregation, while the former Methodist property, along with its church and small parsonage, was sold to the School Board.

The 1911 building was later demolished in 1967 and replaced with a new church at the corner of Harold Road and Mountain Highway. It is now difficult to imagine that beneath the ferns, trees, flowers, and garden supplies of today’s Maple Leaf nursery lies the foundation of that earlier church building! When it was demolished, the basement remained and became the foundation for what is now a local nursery, where community members go to purchase plants, pots, and trellises.

A new church building was dedicated on March 22, 1959. Led by Rev. Clerihue, the congregation walked from the old building to the new one, singing “The Church’s One Foundation.”

West Lynnmour Church

West Lynnmour Church began its life in a vacant Presbyterian church building at the corner of Fraser Street and Southeast Marine Drive in Vancouver. In 1932, the structure was dismantled and transported by truck and ferry to its new site in Lynnmour.

In the early 1960s, the church faced financial challenges and found it increasingly difficult to remain solvent. In 1965, the West Lynnmour congregation voted in favour of a session recommendation that the congregation “cease to exist” and, effective January 1, 1966, affiliate with Lynn Valley United Church.

Lynn Valley United Church imagines a new church

After retirement of Rev. Sharon Copeman and an interim ministry, the congregation chose renewal. Part of that would be replacement of our building. In 2008, three committed members volunteered to lead the process.

  • Ken McKeen
  • John Bruce
  • Roger Eastwood

Two more joined at the request of the board.

  • Anna Sanders
  • Wendy Watson

In 2010, the congregation called Blair Odney as pastor. As plans for redevelopment moved forward, a renewed sense of purpose began to take shape. The Property Redevelopment Committee was tasked with identifying and securing the resources needed to develop the property. Along the way, many decisions were made, and input was sought from a wide range of people. Through this collaborative process, a detailed redevelopment plan emerged. The project unfolded in multiple stages, beginning with the submission of the preliminary development application in November 2011 and culminating in final rezoning approval in July 2014. Construction on the new development began in March 2015.

Occupancy permit was issued just in time for Christmas in 2016.

First service was held on December 18, 2016.

Open house was held on February 25, 2017.

Lynn Valley United Church Ministers

  • Rev. John D. Gillam 1925 – 1928 (First Minister of Lynn Valley United Church)
  • Rev. J. Wesley Miller 1928 – 1937
  • Rev. C. H. Ballard 1938 – 1947
  • Rev. Paton 1947 – 1951
  • Rev. Hislop Dickson 1951
  • Rev. J. Edgar Clarke 1952 – 1956
  • Rev. J. L. Clerihue  1956 – 1961
  • Rev. Stan F. Sears 1962 -1967
  • Rev. Dermott McInnes 1967 – 1974
  • Rev. Douglas Weatherburn 1974 – 1975
  • Rev. Ernest  Rands 1975 – 1976
  • Rev. W. A. Stevens 1976 -1978
  • Rev. Harold Jenner 1978 – 1986
  • Rev.’s Eleanor and John O’Neill 1986 -1994
  • Rev. Sharon Copeman 1994 – 2007
  • Rev. Mollie Williams 2007  -2009
  • Rev. Blair Odney 2009 – 2020
  • Rev. Eric Hamlyn 2017 - 2025
  • Rev. Debra Bowman 2020 -2021
  • Rev. Franklyn James 2021 - 2022
  • Rev. Karen Millard 2023 - Present

Moving  Forward

At the 2025 Annual General Meeting, Lynn Valley United Church adopted a new Mission Statement which is:

Lynn Valley United Church is a spiritual community rooted in Christian faith that welcomes all as beloved people of God, fosters growth and transformation and cares for all creation.

This simple yet bold statement is an active invitation to any and all to come and be the hands and feet of Christ in this time and place for the healing of the world- all are welcome!

On November 14, 2021 – Affirm Certification Sunday Lynn Valley United Church was recognized by the Affirm United as an officially LGBTQIA2s+ Affirming congregation of the Unitd Church of Canada.

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.  (Matthew 28:19-20) 

References:

  • Sowing and Reaping – The History of Lynn Valley United Church –  compiled by Anita Saari with the assistance of British Columbia Conference Archives (See Church office for copy)   ·      
  • Let us Build a House Where Love Can Dwell - Presented to John Bruce, Roger Eastwood, Ken McKeen, Anna Sanders and Wendy Watson of the property Redevelopment Committee with thanks from the congregation of Lynn valley united Church June 2017. (See Church office for copy)   ·      
  • Website Memory BC - Lynn Valley United Church (North Vancouver, B.C.) https://www.memorybc.ca/lynn-valley-united-church-north-vancouver-b-c
  • Website LynnValleyLife.com – History https://lynnvalleylife.com/life/history/ 
  • United Church of Canada Pacific Mountain Regional Council Archive  https://pacificmountain.ca/ministry/the-pmrc-archives/