History
1968 to Present – Recent Years
The new hall was designed with a “cookie cutter” approach so that an extension could be added if desired. Seven years after the opening of the new hall on 12th and Lonsdale, discussion was beginning to take place about building an extension for the rapidly expanding corps.
In 1977 The City of North Vancouver changed the zoning bylaw regarding parking, which made it possible to plan for the extension. The addition was a 2-storey large extension at the back of the building which consisted of: a large meeting room, library, 2 storage rooms, 4 bathrooms, the church offices, the dining hall/stage, kitchen, food storage rooms, and Community and Family Ministries offices. The dedication and opening ceremonies were held on June 9th and 10th 1979. Seventy four per cent of the funding for the new extension was raised by a variety fundraising efforts of the North Shore Salvation Army. The remaining 26% of the funds were provided as a loan from Divisional headquarters, which the North Vancouver Salvation Army paid off in full by January 1985.
Most of the programs listed below ran between the 1960s through to the 1980s. There is incomplete information regarding start and end dates with many of these programs. A few continue on to this day.
Bus Ministry 1977 to 1983
Hundreds of children were driven to Sunday school through the Corps Bus Ministry. We had 3 buses, drivers, programmers, phoners, two runners, a bus captain and a secretary to coordinate and operate the program. Buses transported people to other special events as well, such as delivering the Corps Officers, Y.P. Band & Songsters to the Festival of Praise in Kelowna,
Family Ministries 1976 to Present
The North Shore Salvation Army Community and Family Ministries began in North Vancouver in 1976 and continues to this day. In it’s early days Family Ministries assisted North Shore residents with services such as: clothing and furniture, grocery vouchers, help obtaining accommodation, counseling, Christmas hampers, home visits, alcohol counseling. Today we offer even more services… most of which are listed throughout this website.
Home League
The Home League continued from early years into the ‘80s and it included many opportunities for worship, fellowship, education and service such as: bible study, talent nights, parties, arts and crafts, baking, picnics, lunches, Christmas dinner, fun nights, tours, craft sales, catering, musical evenings, and caroling. The Home League spent much of their time on projects and sales to raise funds for the Corps.
Sunday Morning and Evening Church Services
For a while we had two Sunday services, but nowadays we have one church service, from 10:30am to noon.
North Vancouver Citadel Band 1975 – 1984
Led by bandmaster Bruce Hoadley, our brass band played at other Corps, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, the open air ministry, Christmas serenading, outdoor Easter celebrations, the North Vancouver Jubilee Celebration Parade, and at Sunday services.
Over-Sixty Fellowship 1967 – Mid 80s
Major Stratton commenced the Over-60 Club on March 21st, 1967 and she led the group until she retired in 1976. After her retirement, the group was led by others, including Barry & Elsie Foster. This club was a huge success and the North Vancouver Citadel Corps had over 200 members in its heyday. The Over-Sixty club was a meeting place for seniors from all walks of life, regardless of race or religion, to engage in happy friendship, talk, sing and play. They met twice a month in the afternoon. Activities included games, refreshment, songs, skits, poems, films, crafts, guest speakers, outings, seniors’ summer camps, concerts, and dinners. Every member received a greeting card on their birthday, were visited when ill, and if problems arose, counseling was available.
The Stroke Club
Held in the late ‘70s, the Stroke Club was a vital ministry to those suffering from a stroke, and used our facilities weekly.
The Citadel Songsters 1982 - 1984
Formed in 1982, and led by Bruce Hoadley, this was first fully organized songster brigade of any of the adult singing groups we had previously. Our present-day adult choral group is the Good News Community Choir.
Young People’s (Y.P.) Ministries
The Y.P. Ministries included:
15th Brownie Pack
The Brownie pack made crafts, learned the real meaning of Easter, did test work, and went to summer camp.
15th Guide Company
Guide programs included: test work; earning badges; handicrafts; field day, thinking day, the Divisional Sale, Divine Service and Parade at Southmount Corps, Christmas concert outings; setting up home league meetings and other meetings at the hall; visiting patients in the extended care unit at Christmas; first aid; hiking and camping.
17th Cub Pack
Cub programs involved: games of all sorts; jungle ceremonies; songs; handicrafts and art; self expression in skits and plays; instruction – Promise and Law and S.A. Pledge with emphasis on spiritual content; instruction – “Red Star” personal fitness; instruction – “Green Star” scouting outdoor practices; instruction – Proficiency Badges, especially in the fields of “Religion in Life” and “Service to Others” such as First Aider, Guide, Handyman, House Orderly and Life Saver; jungle stories; scouting history; outings and excursions, campfires and summer camp.
Corps Cadets
Was a bible study course whereby youth 12 and 13 studied 4 lessons per month and wrote exams at the end of each month. The marks were based on written exams, punctuality, attendance, and activity marks for attending Sunday school, church, etc.
The Singing Company
Began in January 1978 – Elsie Foster led the boys and girls choir that sang at Sunday School, church services, nursing homes, and special events.
Timbrel Brigade
A Jr. and Sr. girls choir that sang at meetings, at the Corps, at special services held in nursing homes, and at other special programs.
Youth Drop-In
Y.P. Bible Study
A prayer and bible study group for the youth. The youth elected their own leader and Captain Skipper helped that leader devise their own program.
The North Vancouver Salvation Army Community Church Corps Officers List
1911 Elix Douglas, Act. Captain
1911 Mattie Magwood, Captain
1913 S. Liddard, Captain
1913 Susie Bell, Captain
1913 Unofficered, Closed
1921 Re-opened June 30, 1921
1921 Mae Davies, Captain
1922 Elsie Stunell, Captain
1923 Ella Tigerstedt, Captain
1923 Scott Etta, Captain
1924 Maud Hanson, Ensign
1924 Eva Garnett, Captain
1925 Olaf Halvorsen, Captain
1926 Henry Thompson, Lieutenant
1926 Beatrice Newbury, Captain
1927 Alice Stocks, Captain
1927 Violet Barker, Ensign
1928 Marjorie Finnie, Captain
1929 Joan F. Wilson, Captain
1930 Nellie Mills, Captain
1930 Louise Fowler, Captain
1931 Mae young, Captain
1932 Wm. Ross, Captain
1933 Faith Nelson, Captain
1934 Mrs. Nelson Weir, Captain
1934 Stanley Mendum, Captain
1935 Helen Huston, Captain
1936 Fairie Muttart, Lieut.-Captain
1937 Iris Smith, Captain
1938 Frances Saunders, Captain
1939 Fred Watts, Captain
1941 Gertrude Dunstan, Lieutenant
1941 Frank Pierce, Captain
1942 Corinne Bassingthwaite, Lieutenant
1943 Winnifred Fitch, Captain
1944 Elizabeth Robertson, Adjutant
1945 Ronald Frewing, Adjutant
1948 Austin Millar, Captain
1948 Vernon Marsland, Captain
1950 James Gillespie, Captain
1952 Robert McKerrecher, Captain
1954 James Martin, Major
1955 Ernest Stokes, 1st Lieutenant
1955 Winnifred Fitch, Major
1959 Thomas Smith, Sr. Captain
1960 Elsie Miller, Captain
1961 Betty Kerr, Captain
1962 Lois Wilson, Lieutenant
1963 Irene Carey, Captain
1964 Avril Halsey, Captain
1965 Reginald Newbury, Captain
1968 Ethel Moore, Major
1969 Robert Dyck, Captain
1972 Charles Eyre, Captain
1974 Denis Skipper, Captain
1976 Kenneth Chapman, Captain
1981 Samuel and Dolores Fame, Captains
1986 Thomas and Jenn Oldfield, Captains
1987 Walter and Lorraine Simpson, Captains
1989 Eric and Donna Bond, Lieutenants
1992 Brian and Lynn Armstrong, Lieutenants
2000 David and Lynn Grice, Captains
The Salvation Army is now the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in Canada. It strives to give hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 113 countries around the world.
The Salvation Army continues its critical work to this day, giving direct, compassionate, hands-on service to 1.5 million people each year and restoring hope and dignity to those who might otherwise remain invisible in society.
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