A couple of years ago, The Globe and Mail featured a story called Vancouver churches unlocking their land value, noting: Urban churches are sitting on some of the priciest real estate in the province, and they’re using the situation to their…
With the redevelopment of the Central Presbyterian Church site at Thurlow and Pendrell streets in the West End finally underway, Rev. Jim Smith – who’s been shepherding this project since its inception six years ago – can finally breathe a…
Oakridge Lutheran Church held an open house Tuesday evening (February 23), welcoming neighbours to learn more about plans to redevelop its property. The church, which is located just west of Cambie Street, across 41st Avenue from Oakridge Centre, has partnered…
“A hilarious bluegrass musical full of songs and stories that will set your toes tapping and your heart soaring.” That is what Pacific Theatre is promising in Smoke on the Mountain, and I don’t doubt there will be a ready…
Dramatic plans for First Baptist Church appear to have caught the media by surprise, but they have been a long time coming – and are still some way from being realized. Last week the church at the corner of Nelson…
Urban churches are beginning to realize the treasure they have, not just in their pews, but hovering high above their buildings. ‘Air rights’ focus on the space above the church building, and Christians now take in the reality that owning…
Soohwan Park has visited the site of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan several times. Here she describes her most recent visit, over the Easter season. Check out Soohwan Park’s blog on Fukushima and the upcoming (May 7 – June…
Clay Imoo is back for the second year with a song to cheer on the Seattle Seahawks as they aim for a repeat Superbowl win February 1. Imoo, who directs the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver’s Youth and Young Adult…
Many churches occupy old buildings on valuable property in the urban cores of big cities across North America. Some of them are renewing their facilities, and their relevance – often with the help of financially-savvy faith-based partners. This week we…
This week we are doing stories about churches undergoing major redevelopment in downtown Vancouver (below), and in the city centres of New Westminster and Surrey (see accompanying story). Central Presbyterian Church received final approval from Vancouver City Council Tuesday evening…