JOHN SCHRINER: first Pastor of Vancouver Apostolic Faith Church, 3014 Kingsway

John Schriner was born on December 14, 1912 in Calgary, Alberta. 

A group of people, including John and his wife Emilie, known as Molly, received copies of the Apostolic Faith paper from Portland OR, and the group decided to move to Vancouver BC in order to begin their own branch of the AF church. I've never heard the details as to how or why John Schriner was chosen as the Pastor. The above photo was taken from a larger one showing members of the choir in 1954. This is the best photo I have of Pastor John. The group had cottage meetings at first in Paul and Elizabeth Plesko's home, before opening a church on Fraser Street in an old house. John was the Pastor from 1945-1977, for 32 years. He was the longest running pastor for this branch.

 Molly Schriner, Pastor John's wife, with glasses.

This is a copy of the 1916 Canadian census showing John age 3, living with his parents John and Elizabeth, who were both from Russia and who arrived in Canada in 1904. It amazes me that everyone seems to have settled on the prairies first, before moving to Vancouver! John's parents are listed as Lutheran on this census.

If you're interested, you can click on the above 1921 Canadian census images, and see John age 8 with his family. His father worked in the CPR shops.

This photo of Molly Schriner is from the 1979 church book.

She was born on August 30, 1914 in Calgary, Alberta, and died on October 13, 1993

Sadly, Pastor John died on August 22, 1977. He was 64. He had MS and I remember how he would listen to the church services from home, by way of a telephone set up on the platform so he could still be a part of it all. I was 17 at the time, and I hoped that the Lord would physically heal him. But although he was often prayed for, and anointed with oil, it wasn't to be. 

Here is the whole photo taken in 1954 showing the choir members.

I have two memories of Pastor John. One was when I was very young, and I used to draw quietly in church. After a service one time I wanted to show my picture to Pastor John, and my Mom said "Oh, don't bother him; he won't be interested in that!"

But he reached out his hand, and said, "Of course I would. Let me see it." And he studied my drawing and said it was very well done. That really pleased me.

Another time he asked for the congregation to pick out hymns to sing one evening at church, and I called out number one, and Pastor John said "Well, she really is, isn't she?" And he smiled. I didn't know what to think! Tee hee....he seemed to be a caring and gentle man, soft spoken and kind. He was the pastor for the longest time of anyone in Vancouver. He will be in Heaven 40 years next year which is hard to believe! I still remember how his voice sounded, and I still remember his smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

John and Molly are both buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby BC.

One day soon we will meet again on that beautiful shore.

By Loretta 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.