Title and statement of responsibility area
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- Source of title proper: Title ased on contents of fonds
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Statement of scale (cartographic)
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Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1884 - 1992 (Creation)
- Creator
- Haida Gwaii Pastoral Charge (Skidegate, B.C.)
Physical description area
Physical description
70 cm of textual records
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Methodist work in the area began in 1884 with the construction of a
church, organization of a congregation and appointment of a minister at the behest of Amos Russ, the grandson of a Native chief and a Christian convert. The initial building that served as the church was an old First Nations dance hall that had been refurbished by the local community. This was the local church for 28 years, after which the Spencer Memorial Church, constructed largely by volunteers in 1912, served as the place of worship. Spencer Memorial Church was named for Dr. J.C. Spencer, a minister and medical doctor who spearheaded its construction. Although the mission was initially started for the purpose of evangelizing to the native peoples, the congregation expanded to include many families of settlers, who immigrated to the area in search of natural resources and work during the 1910s and 1920s. Spencer Memorial Church was renamed Spencer Memorial United Church with church union in 1925. In 1957, in concert with Queen Charlotte City United Church, the congregation of Spencer Memorial United Church purchased Dead Tree Point, which they used for a children’s camp from 1957 to 1969, when the regular summer camps stopped due to a lack of participants. In 1974, Spencer Memorial United Church was found to possess insufficient facilities to continue serving as the area’s church. An analysis of the building found it to be lacking in insulation and basic facilities such as a washroom or kitchen, as well as possessing a much larger sanctuary than was needed to house the now modest congregation. In 1974, Spencer Memorial United Church was closed and a new church named Skidegate United Church was built and dedicated. The building of Spencer Memorial United Church was demolished in 1975.
Methodist services began in Queen Charlotte City in 1908 when the Reverend J.C. Spencer began making trips by boat from the village of Skidegate to Queen Charlotte City. A regular minister was appointed and a church building constructed in 1909. The congregation would expand to include many more families of settlers who came to the area searching for natural resources and farmland during the 1910s and 1920s. A new church building was constructed in 1960-1961; it included improved facilities such as a new kitchen, washrooms, committee room, and entrance hall.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of the records of Skidegate United Church, its predecessors, Spencer Memorial Church and Spencer Memorial United Church, Queen Charlotte United Church, Sandspit United Church, Seaview United Church and Seaview Community Church, and Tasu United Church. Records include Baptism registers (1884-1992), Marriage registers (1884-1984), and Burial registers (1884-1969); Membership records (1953-1990); Board and Committee records (1939-1991); Women’s Group records (1920-1980); Sunday school records (1966-1980); Financial records (1955-1985); Special Events records (1971-1984); Annual statistics (1967-1989); Outreach programs records (1969-1985); Building and Property records (1966-1987); a history of the United Church in the Queen Charlotte Islands (1985).
Notes area
Physical condition
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Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
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See File List
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File list available. Online Finding Aid
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Status
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Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Created Sept. 2009
Language of description
- English