This church building and land immediately surrounding the Church are significant due to their spiritual and historical association with the early European residents of North Saanich. The Church was built in 1885 on land donated by George Mills. The building was constructed with timber brought by raft from Genoa Bay. Local pioneers worked on the foundation; the church was designed by John Teaque, a prolific Victoria architect.
Things to photograph: Gothic Revival detailing Arts and Crafts details, Early wooden front doors at the north entrance with iron strap hinges, Gothic pointed-arch windows with diamond-leaded panes, wooden tracery, in single and triple assembly and multi paned leaded glass casement windows, Interior features such as original pew, exposed scissor trusses; Associated picturesque rural cemetery, with numerous unique monuments and headstones. The church overlooks Patricia Bay with scenic views of Saanich Inlet.
Lost airmen of the Empire Memorial
(100 meters from the church)
The main features of this memorial are the 25 3.66-meter high Corten Steel Cooper’s Hawk Feathers. The Cooper’s Hawk is a predator known for its extraordinary agility in flight and ferocity in hunting. The names of the lost airmen are cut into the steel. The original hospital gates remain, welcoming visitors into the memorial and at the centre of the memorial is a seating area created from around 1000 bricks salvaged from the previously demolished hospital administration building.
Things to photograph: The memorial is on top of a hill overlooking a runway with good views of airplanes landing and lifting off. The feathers are interesting as the names of the airmen are cut out of the steel and look interesting against a blue sky or green grass. The gates of the original WWII hospital are still there.
Getting there:
The church will not be available until 11:00am Sunday after service to view the interior glass and other features of this quaint church.
Location: I recommend parking across from 1348 Mills Road or Mills Road and Meadland Road by the memorial.
A great place for lunch is the Spitfire Grill 9681 Willingdon Rd. about a kilometer from the church. You can sit by the window and watch the places land and takeoff.
Your leader is James Dies. Start time is 10:30 Sunday May 19-24 and we will meet by the memorial and walk down to the church at 11:00am.