DAN DRAGONOFF: boarder with the Neufelds on Monmouth Avenue.

The next person in my fond memories that attended the little church at 3014 Kingsway was a quiet and rather stern man named Dan Dragonoff.

He always sat in the same spot on the left hand side of the church, very close to the front against the wall. He would often shout "Amen!" when something moved him! Sometimes I would jump.

He had a very thick accent and I couldn't understand his speech very well.

He had dark hair and gleaming eyes.

Dan boarded with Dick and Sarah Neufeld who lived at 3338 Monmouth Avenue at the top of our street near Grenfell School. 

Once again I found quite a wealth of information on Ancestry.

The above copy of the 1916 Canadian Census shows Dan age 12 living with his family; father Steve Dragonoff, mother Pena Dragonoff both from Bulgaria; and Dan's siblings Anga, Annie and John.

Dan came to Canada in 1912 when he was 8 years old. I wonder how he felt?

The family settled in Eye Hill Municipality in Battleford SK.

His father was a farmer.

On the 1921 Canadian Census they are living in the same place.

Dan is now 16.

This is the 1958 Vancouver BC Voter's list.

Dan is now a labourer living at 1061 W 12th Ave E.

In 1962 Dan is living at 4703 Gothard Street as a city Employee.

1933 USA Border Crossing.

Dan is listed as an independent missionary, traveling with Mr and Mrs. H Peter, apparently to Peru, South America. The document is difficult to read.

On July 2, 1948, Dan was traveling alone by stage, in Blaine, WA.

He had attended a religious convention at the Apostolic Faith in Portland OR for two weeks, and had $55 with him. His last permanent address was in Edmonton Alberta.

It's really interesting all the information one can gather from these archived documents!

I wonder what Dan would think?

It also lists his Father's name and Dan's middle name; Steve.

A copy of Dan Dragonoff's memorial pamphlet from my archives.

The back of Dan's pamphlet giving a brief outline of his life.

In his later years, he had dementia.

I remember he used to enjoy taking long walks around Grenfell School but one day he couldn't remember how to get back home again. As a young girl I couldn't figure it out, and I felt so sorry for him. After that he had to go in a home, until he died at age 76. 

One day we will meet again!

By Loretta Williams Houben

MARTHA CHEVERIE: a parishioner from 3014 Kingsway in the 1980s.

You may recognize this corner!

This photo was taken by the city of Vancouver and is from somewhere online.

How this brings back memories.

I've decided to turn this blog, Sunday Thoughts, into a place where all my church memories will be archived. I came across a set of photo books of church members in my archives, and I've scanned the photos in. They aren't the best quality but they are all I have.

Here is the second Pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church at 3014 Kingsway, Vancouver BC.

He served from 1977 until 1985, after John Schriner retired due to ill health.

Pastor Dave was my favourite pastor.

I enjoyed his sermons, and I loved how he and his wife, Elsie, kept things in ship shape order.

My Dad, Jack Williams, was the main usher.

He took his duties very seriously and was always on time and at his post.

He wore a suit and tie; no shorts and T-shirt for him in God's holy house.

He greeted everyone with a firm handshake and a smile.

He often locked up late at night.

Here is a photo taken of the little church 15 years ago in 2001.

This was our last year here. The people in charge had decided to sell and relocate to Langley BC.

The church was torn down in 2002, and a 4 story business was built on the land.

Martha Chevrie was an older woman who sat at the back.

She lived at 5548 College Street, just a few blocks away.

I remember her testifying that she would come to church when she was young in order to see the ladies hats and to admire them! She got conviction shortly after that, and realized her need of salvation, and prayed through and became a Christian. She began attending the Apostolic Faith as she lived nearby. 

I keep a lot of things, and I actually have a copy of Martha's memorial service, which took place in 1983. She was born April 18, 1904 in Whitemouth Manitoba, and died October 17, 1983 in Burnaby General Hospital. After much searching I found her death record online; her surname is spelled incorrectly above. It should be CHEVERIE.

I found her online on the 1906, 1911, and 1916 Canadian censuses! 

Here she is age 2! Her father's name was Ferdinand Kriger, and her mother's name was Pauline Breitkreitz.

Here is Martha age 7 with various siblings.

And here she is age 12.

I find it amazing what you can find online.

I wonder why her family moved out here to Vancouver?

I did find a family tree online for Martha, and she was married twice.

Her first husband, Harry Ernest Cheverie was born May 24, 1899 in PEI, parents names unknown.

He died Oct 18, 1960, age 61.

Martha remarried again October 6, 1962 to Edmund Klause.

She has three sons; Morvel, Elwood and Larry, according to the memorial brochure I have for her, and numerous grandchildren.

Martha was a nice quiet woman. She always had a lovely smile.

I also remember she loved to listen to Peter Poppoff on TV; a rather dubious preacher.

He seemed to amuse her.

I will try to write about more of the people who once attended that little church at the corner of Kingsway and Rupert all those many years ago.

By Loretta Williams Houben

Please click on the copy of Martha's memorial service to see the details close up.