Visiting St. George’s Anglican Church feels like stepping into history. The charming white church, with its pointed windows and bell tower, sits peacefully among lush greenery. The old Hudson’s Bay cemetery adds to its story, while the beautiful stained glass and ‘Kanaka Cross’ make it a truly special place to explore.
St. George's Anglican Church - Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
St. George's Anglican Church site consists of a one-storey wood-frame church building (1901) with pointed windows and a steep gabled roof topped at the front with a small bell tower. An additional one-storey rectangular hall, also with a steep gabled roof, was added in 2004. The site is located on a quiet residential street in Fort Langley, adjacent to the Hudson's Bay Company historic cemetery (established circa 1840).
Heritage Value
St. George's Anglican Church is of historic, aesthetic, and spiritual significance. In particular, the age, location, and design of the church, as well as its interior details, are noteworthy. St. George's is also important as it represents the early Anglican Church presence in British Columbia and has made long-lasting spiritual contributions to the community.
The congregation was formed in 1859 at an Anglican church in nearby Derby. Plans for a more central church within Fort Langley began in 1895, and the building was constructed in 1901. The site chosen is significant as it is located in the southwest corner of the 1839 Hudson's Bay Company Fort and includes the early Hudson's Bay Company cemetery, the second oldest known European burial ground in Langley Township.
Historically known people associated with this church include:
- Reverend Henry W.L. Laffere, who was the Vicar when the church was built.
- Alexander Mavis, who sold the property and the cemetery to the Anglican Church for $50.00.
- Duncan Bule, who built the church.
St. George’s is also the family church of the Hope family, to whom a number of the stained glass windows are dedicated.
The church is aesthetically notable for its design and intricate details. The Carpenter Gothic construction features simple lines, a steep gabled roof, tall, pointed windows, and a small bell tower (added in 1914). Notable architectural elements include gable screens and carved, drilled rafter ends. Despite alterations over time, including a modest lengthening in 2004, the church has maintained its serene character. Interior highlights include the tongue-and-groove 'V' joint fir in a herringbone pattern on the walls, a wooden floor, and the 1909 altar rails. The original wooden pews remain intact.
The stained glass windows, all memorial windows (nine in total), were added between 1912 and 2006 and are considered the finest collection in the Fraser Valley.
A key historical feature of the church is the 'Kanaka Cross,' located on an exterior wall above the front door. This large, engraved iron cross was found in the adjacent cemetery in 1930. It was originally made to mark the gravesite of Hawaiians Pion Pion and Katrina, who were contracted by the Hudson's Bay Company to work in Fort Langley in the 19th century. When their actual grave site could not be found, the Anglican community of Fort Langley decided to honour them by prominently displaying the cross on the church.
Character-Defining Elements
Architectural Qualities
- Carpenter Gothic style
- Simple lines
- Steep gabled roof
- Small bell tower at the front of the building
Architectural Elements
- Tall pointed windows
- Gable screens
- Drilled rafter ends
- Wood shingles
Interior Architectural Elements
- Tongue-and-groove 'V' joint fir in herringbone pattern on interior walls
- Wooden floor
- Wooden pews
- Altar rails
Siting
- Relationship to the site and to the intersection of Church Street and Mary Street
- Proximity to the adjacent Hudson's Bay Company historic cemetery
Cultural Significance
- Continued use of the site as a place of worship
Source: Langley Centennial Museum heritage files