A striking modernist parish church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, St. James combines Art Deco and Byzantine Revival styles in a Greek cross plan. Its present building rose from the ashes of Vancouver’s founding and testifies to the city’s Anglican heritage.
At a glance
St. James’ is Vancouver’s first Anglican parish, established in 1881 during the township’s early days. The current building, consecrated in 1938, stands at the corner of East Cordova Street and Gore Avenue in the Strathcona neighbourhood, replacing two earlier structures lost to fire and urban development.
History
The first wooden church was completed in spring 1881 on Alexander Street, sponsored by Captain James Raymur, manager of Hastings Mill. It burned in the Great Vancouver Fire of June 13, 1886—so intense the heat melted the church bell into a puddle, now displayed at the Museum of Vancouver.
A second post-and-beam English country-style building rose on CPR-donated land in 1886. Deemed temporary due to its wood construction, it lasted until 1935. The present building, designed by Adrian Gilbert Scott, was constructed between 1935 and 1937 and consecrated the following year.
St. James spawned daughter parishes, including Christ Church (later the Diocese’s second cathedral, established 1888) and St. Paul’s (1889). Rector Fr. Fiennes-Clinton also founded the Vancouver Public Library in 1887 and assisted in establishing St. Luke’s Hospital.
What you see
The church displays a distinctive Greek cross design synthesizing Art Deco, Romanesque Revival, Byzantine Revival, and Gothic Revival vocabularies. Reinforced concrete walls support a slate roof. The interior houses a Casavant Frères organ (Opus 1605) with 31 stops and 1,760 pipes, plus an eight-bell chime.
Cultural significance
St. James embodies Vancouver’s Anglican foundations and survival through catastrophe. Architect Adrian Gilbert Scott’s design influenced similar churches; notably, a related building was constructed in Cairo. The parish maintains Anglo-Catholic worship traditions, with daily offices and weekend liturgies.
Key facts
- Country: Canada
- City: Vancouver, British Columbia
- Location: Northeast corner of East Cordova Street and Gore Avenue, Strathcona neighbourhood
- Coordinates: 49.28249, −123.09727
- Architect: Adrian Gilbert Scott
- Built: 1935–1937
- Consecrated: 1938
- Diocese: New Westminster, Anglican Church of Canada
Practical information & getting there
St. James is accessible in downtown Vancouver’s east side. Sunday High Mass is sung at 10:30 a.m.; morning and evening prayer are observed daily via Zoom. For current service times and visitor information, contact the parish directly or consult the Diocese of New Westminster website.
Sources & resources
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