Saint John’s Vancouver Anglican church

On September 18, 2011, a congregation of around 700 people walked out of a church building, leaving behind a legacy and starting anew. This is the story of Saint John’s Vancouver Anglican Church, a story of faith, conviction, and resilience. Saint John’s Vancouver isn’t just housed in this building. Its history is intertwined with that of St. John’s Shaughnessy, a church founded in 1925. Over the decades, St. John’s Shaughnessy saw its share of change, experiencing a period of decline followed by a remarkable revival under the leadership of Reverend Harry Robinson in the late 1970s. Robinson, a staunch evangelical, transformed the church into a thriving community, attracting notable figures like theologian J.I. Packer. However, the turn of the century brought with it a storm of theological debate. The acceptance of same-sex blessings by the local diocese caused a rift, leading St. John’s Shaughnessy to seek affiliation with the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone. This ultimately resulted in a legal battle for their church property, a battle they lost. Undeterred, the members of Saint John’s Vancouver chose to follow their convictions. They left the building they had called home for decades and found a new beginning right here. Today, Saint John’s Vancouver stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering spirit of its community. It’s a story that speaks of choosing conviction over comfort and of finding new beginnings in the face of adversity.