About Us  

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Our Congregation

The Presbyterian Church in Canada established a congregation in West Point Grey more than 90 years ago.   The present church was built in 1927, and numerous additions and improvements have been made over the years, including the development of our beautiful church gardens.  Built by Presbyterians who came to live in the Community of West Point Grey, today’s church includes those who attend worship from many parts of the Lower Mainland. Recent renovations of the church Narthex (the entrance area) were made possible through memorial gifts and special donations enabling us to create a more welcoming entrance to our beautiful traditional sanctuary.  The church building has been beautifully maintained by caring people throughout the years and offers a warm and loving sanctuary for those who desire a place for quiet worshipful meditation during the week and for active participatory worship on Sundays. The church is open most Wednesday afternoons from 1-5pm for individuals from the community who wish a place for mediation and prayer.  The Prayer Garden also offers a space for peaceful mediation, weather permitting. Thursday evenings a Celtic Vesper service begins at 7:00pm for those who wish a quiet and meditative candle lit service of prayer, silence and music. Several years ago we established an International Ministry which has had a particular outreach to families who have immigrated from Japan, as well as to visiting college students, and to young people who have come to Canada for a short period of time intent upon learning English.  Due to our close proximity to the University of British Columbia, our outreach has expanded to include students and families from other nations, particularly Korea and the United States of America.  We value the cultural mix that we have become, and welcome the unique gifts each person brings to our congregation.  Our membership is diverse in age, as well as ethnic origin, from babes in arms to folks in their tenth decade.

Flowerbed at the front of the Church.

Come through our new front doors and be welcomed

Encouraging one another to grow in faith that is relevant to the circumstances of our lives is an important goal of our ministry together.  As part of Christ’s Church, we do our best to live our experience of God’s love, within the church, and in our day to day activities in the world.

Worship that is joyful and that glorifies God is our priority and to that end we have a significant amount of music and lay participation in each Sunday service.  Our worship is planned by a small froup of interested people and it is a blend of the traditional and contemporary.  A Reader's Workshop is offered twice a year to enable individuals to gain confidence and experience in the public reading of Scripture and prayers.

Children are a welcome part of worship and while some children may leave part way through the service to attend Church School, all children return to the Sanctuary on the Sundays when Holy Communion is celebrated.  The Lord's Supper is celebrated at least six times a year and, at their parent's discretion, children are encouraged to partake of the elements.  Special extra services are held during the Advent-Christmas and the Lent-Easter seasons, and at other times as planned by the Session.

Lay leadership in all aspects of our life as a faith community is valued.  The Session and the Stewardship Board work together to provide quality leadership of the congregation; and teams and committees take on particular tasks that the congregation may function effectively and well.

Announcements at the beginning of the worship, the weekly bulletin, and the periodic memo from the Session or the minister keep the congregation informed about activities, plans, and the decisions made by the leadership.

WPGPC is a member of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.  Information regarding the history, doctrine, polity and mission of our denomination is available at  www.presbycan.ca

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From Our Minister

My family roots are on Vancouver’s west side, and so it feels like I have come home when I am at the church or in the community visiting and running errands.  As minister I have come to love the families and individuals in this congregation and I treasure the members’ strong commitment to Christ and to the West Point Grey community. 

Wayne and I have four adult children: Teresa, Kathryn, Donald and Frances; a son-in-law, Erich, and grandchildren, Bremen and Brock.   Becoming parents was an amazing privilege; becoming grandparents has been God’s awesome gift.

Initially trained as an Elementary School teacher, education (in the church and in the community) is my passion. When our children were young I was active in the Council of Parent Participation Pre-Schools and subsequently with a Parent Council/Advisory Committee in the Public School system.  I have recently completed the Doctor of Ministry Program at Vancouver School of Theology and look forward to new avenues of Continuing Education. 

Over the years, our congregation has been blessed with keen and competent leaders and excellent student ministers from Regent College and Vancouver School of Theology.  This is a legacy that I value and a present reality that I appreciate.  A collegial approach to ministry is my preference and we have a strong and effective leadership team.

The church is close to the University of British Columbia and we have become a “sending and receiving” congregation experiencing the special gifts of friendship with students and enjoying our ties to the global community.  Our church leaders take seriously the responsibility of ministering to visiting students and we look for ways to be helpful and encouraging.  Many students become involved in congregational life and leadership and forge long-lasting relationships.  We love to have them return for visits and we maintain an active e-mail contact with many who have graduated and settled far away.

Our congregation is noted for its hospitality.  We welcome one-time visitors as well as people searching for a congregation where they can put down roots. If you, as an individual or as a family, are looking for a church home, come and discover whether this might be the congregation where you will grow in God's love and Christ’s ministry.

The grace and peace of Christ be with you.
Sylvia

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How to Find Us

  To contact any of the above please phone the church office at 604-224-7744

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