Dick and Sara Neufeld....friends of my parents.

I haven't posted in a long time, but on this rainy Sunday afternoon in September, I thought it was time for some more of my good memories to surface. 

Long time friends of my parents, Dick and Sara Neufeld, surely bring back many happy memories for me. They lived up the street on Monmouth Avenue at 3338. Their house was only the third one from the top of the hill, where Sir Wilfred Grenfell school was located, so we passed by it whenever we went to and from school, twice each day. Sometimes Sara would wave out the window to us.

I've scanned in the photo from the old church directory and I edited the top one so that the grainy texture was gone, but then Dick and Sara nearly fade away, so here is the grainy one too. 

Dick Neufeld was born May 9, 1913 in Hebert, Saskatchewan. He died on February 24, 1993 in New Westminster, BC. He was 79.

I remember him very well. He had a great sense of humour and was always cracking a joke, especially with one of his missing fingers! It was accidentally sawed off long before I met him, but he made a joke out of it, pretending to pop it off by manipulating his other fingers so it looked like he had a full finger. It always impressed the kids!

He and Sara moved from Saskatchewan in the 1940's to help with the building of the Apostolic Faith Church in Vancouver BC. They moved out to the West Coast along with others from the prairies. 

Dick and Sara were very hospitable and I visited their home on Monmouth Avenue often, after church meetings. They had a small kitchen, but after coffee or tea we'd sit in the living room and visit. 

Dick played a banjo, and somewhere I have a photo of him. He loved to sing and often was asked to sing solos in church for Sunday or Wednesday evenings. One time he and Sara visited Newfoundland and they learned many short choruses that the "Newfies" loved to sing, so Dick taught us those in church. Both of them loved to spend time in prayer at the altars and would often help people "pray through".

Dick and Sara were both whole hearted Christians. 

Here is her testimony, written in July 1984 for the "Vancouver Lighthouse" paper:

"There is joy in serving the Lord! I found this out when I was just thirteen years old. I had been sent to Sunday School as far back as I can remember. I heard there that Jesus was coming again, and I knew I wasn't ready. Many nights I cried myself asleep, wondering if I should die, where would I spend eternity. Then one day my friend asked me to come to her house. There were people visiting from Oregon, holding cottage meetings. While I was there I heard a sister testify that she had such hunger in her heart to know that she was ready for heaven.

I came forward the very first meeting I was in, and told the Lord I was sorry for all my sin, and if He would forgive me and come into my heart, I would live for Him the rest of my life. In just a moment of time, I knew my sins were forgiven and now I was heaven bound. 

I am praising the Lord for that happy day. I have never been out in the so called pleasures of this world, but I've missed nothing but a lot of heart aches. I've had the joy of serving the Lord. Today my favourite song is "Higher Ground". I am still climbing higher. One day, maybe soon, I'll reach that Home on higher ground.

"For faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground."

My life has not always been a bed of roses, but I've had a burden bearer, One that always takes the heavy end. When I see Jesus, I will praise Him for ever and ever without a time limit. I love Him with all my heart."

By Loretta Houben

1963 Apostolic Faith Church coffee time

This photo was in my Dad's collection.

I'm not sure if it was a professional photo or not.

I added names to the people I recognized, including my Dad way in the back.

I don't know who the rest of them are.

This was in the basement of the Apostolic Faith church at 3014 Kingsway.

In 1963 it was only 13 years old, so it was still bare in the basement.

It even had bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

The area to the left was used for Sunday School classrooms.

The room past the far wall was the prayer chapel.

The ladies of the church provided coffee and light refreshments every Sunday evening after the service, for visiting seamen. My Dad was part of the seamen's work at the Vancouver docks each Sunday afternoon. Paul Plesko and Dan Dragonoff also went along, and invited the seamen to church, picking them up with the church van. There are a few sitting on the left beside Katie and Harold Stewart.

By Loretta Houben

HILDA GALLEY ... a friend of my Grandma.

Recently I discovered this photo below in my parent's collection.

My Grandma is on the left (Alma May Williams) sitting with Amelia Lias and Hilda Galley. The photo is taken in Amelia's home in Vancouver BC.

I cropped Hilda's photo above. This is the only photo I have of her, and I was happy to find this!

Hilda, known to me of course as Mrs. Galley, was my Sunday School teacher in the 1960's, at the Apostolic Faith Church on Kingsway. I can still remember her gentle soft voice. She had gleaming sparkling eyes, very piercing, and she wore her long hair in braids coiled on the back of her head. She was quite tall.

The AF church always had testimony services every Sunday evening. Once I recall Mrs. Galley giving her testimony earnestly, and explaining how she had the seeds of murder inside her heart, and when she was sanctified the Lord removed that totally from her. I remember being astonished that gentle Mrs. Galley would have such things in her heart! I didn't understand the effect of a sinful nature at that time.

On another occasion she prayed with me at the altar and shared an experience with me of something which happened to her in her teenage years, but I can't remember it at all. She always seemed to me to be a woman of God, and very sincere in her Christian life.

She gave me a pretty framed picture as a gift one time, with a Scripture on it. Her handwriting is on the back, and if I ever find it, I'll scan it in and add it here.

I looked Hilda Galley up on Ancestry, and a relative has published these lovely photos publicly, so I copied them and will share them here. The above photo is Hilda's husband, Alfred Edward Galley, born May 24, 1894 and died in a terrible logging accident December 5, 1949 after being married to Hilda only 13 years.

The young family; Hilda and Alfred, with their children Phyliss and Patricia Pearl (standing). 

Hilda with her children, Samuel, Patricia Pearl, and Phyliss.

A lovely photo of young Hilda Galley.

A snippet of the 1916 Canadian Census showing Hilda age 14 living with her parents in Manitoba.

A snip of the 1921 Canadian Census showing Hilda age 19 living with her parents in Manitoba. Her father was Frederick James Last, and her mother was Sarah Emily Cole. He was born in England and came to Canada in 1885. She was born in Ontario and married Frederick in 1897. Hilda had one sister and two brothers.

I find it very interesting that all of the members of the AF church I've researched so far were born on the prairies!

By Loretta Houben

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

ISABEL GORDON...an old friend of our family.

I have many fond memories of dear Isabel Gordon!

She was a friend of my Grandma, Alma May Williams, for many years. I'm not sure when or where they met, but probably in the 1950's at the Apostolic Faith Church.

Isabel was born on June 12, 1915 in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan.

I discovered this recently when I typed her name into Ancestry, and the 1916 Canadian census showed her family living there and also in 1921, at 620 Athabasca W. 

Her father's name was James Angus Gordon, born May 26, 1879 in Scotland. In 1916 he was a carpenter, and in 1921 he was a mill wright. 

Isabel's mother's name was Annie Elizabeth Webber, born Dec 18, 1884 in England. Annie arrived in 1912 in Canada, and James arrived in 1906.

A brother, Owen Francis, age 3 is listed on the 1921 census.

On both the censuses their religion is Presbyterian. 

This is a copy of the 1916 Canadian census showing the Gordon family. Isabel's name is spelled with two l's. The census was taken on June 3 - 5, a week before her first birthday.

Here is a Google map picture of Athabasca street, showing where Isabel would have lived for a while. The house for #620 is missing, but I think this would be the same era and style of homes in the neighbourhood.

Here is a closeup of the 1916 census.

A closeup for the 1921 census.

Isabel was shown as "Isabella", and is age 6.

Her brother Owen is age 3.

The Gordon family is still living at 620 Athabasca W in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan.

Here is one of those mysterious border crossing documents, showing Isabel traveling to Portland OR to visit Mrs. Lillian Lowe on Alder Street, dated May 2, 1949, by stage. She is living at home with her mother, Annie E Gordon, at 767 E 15th Ave in Vancouver BC, and her occupation is a stenographer. She has a medium complexion, black hair, brown eyes with a pockmark in the center of her forehead. She is 5' 6". She has $17.00 with her, and is visiting for 4 weeks.

Wow, one can learn a lot of information from these documents!

I'm not sure if I have any photos of Isabel, but if I find any I'll add them later. I do own a book that has her mother's name written on the fly leaf. I'll take a picture of it and add it later.

I believe the blue house is 767 E 15th Ave, from Google maps.

(I can't read the address.) This is where Isabel lived with her mother Annie in 1949.

Isabel would often visit my Grandma on Monmouth Avenue and spend pleasant afternoons together with her. Each summer she would fly to England to stay with friends, after carefully saving her pension all year long to pay for the flight. She ate at McDonald's every day! It was well known she couldn't cook. She was a bookworm and enjoyed reading. Once she stored a few suitcases at my Grandma's home while she traveled for a long time. 

Isabel was always happy and chipper. She had a soft spoken voice and was paper thin with thick grey hair often flying away out of its pins, up on a roll at the back of her head. She never wore glasses and was quite spry. She had a boisterous laugh and often cracked amusing little jokes. Isabel gave an earnest testimony, very thankful the Lord had saved her and was her best Friend, often giving her little treats in life through the blessing of others kindness to her, as she never owned or drove a car, so she depended on other people for her rides to and from church. 

Just thinking about her brings a smile to my face.

I'm thankful for my rich heritage of Christian friends.

I found Isabel's obituary online. She had her Father's middle name!

She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby BC.

Until we meet again, dear Isabelle.

PS: Out of curiosity, I looked up Isabel's parents death registers and located them at Family Search. Both of them are buried at Surrey Centre Cemetery, and that lovely site has their names and the location of their graves! I wish all cemeteries did this.

James A Gordon died on Sept 15, 1944 age 65. His register lists his parents names; his mother is Elizabeth Angus from Scotland, and his father is John Gordon from Scotland.

Annie E Gordon died on Feb 18, 1964 age 79, but her register lists her parents as unknown.

By Loretta Houben

Scripture texts.

I found these on Pinterest today, so I thought I'd put them here on this blog to add some colour. I love scripture. I love how beautiful it looks when embellished in this old-fashioned way.

When I was young we attended a Baptist church in Vancouver BC, from 1969 until 1976. The Baptists firmly believe in memorizing scripture from a young age, so I stored up a lot of it in my heart, and earned many a lovely prize in the various contests the Sunday School had. I remember those happy days with fondness, and the scripture has been a great help and comfort to me through all my life.

One of my favourite verses is the one above.

When I remember the advice, I lead a happy life.

May you find great comfort in Scripture this coming week.

By Loretta Houben

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.

Wrestling with God

Our Pastor's first sermon in 2008 was just what I needed. He ended with this sentence: "If you're limping in 2008, it's OK." He has such profound and uplifting statements from God's word. That's why I return each Sunday. The church is so huge and I don't know a living soul except for a handful of people. There are 3,600 people who attend, during 4 different services. It's hard to believe.

His subject was on the account of Jacob wrestling with God, in Genesis 32: 22-32. The points outlined were:

1. The struggle is with God, not man.
2. Struggling with God can be grace.
3. Struggling with God can lead to insight.
4. The result is our destiny and our blessing.

Worry is a lack of trust in God to oversee all aspects of my life. Isaiah 45:7 "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things."
Proverbs 16:33 "The lot is cast into the lap but its every decision is from the Lord."

The Pastor told us something that happened last week as he was driving his son across the border, to fly to a dangerous place for a missionary trip. He didn't want to let his son go to such a dangerous place, and wasn't trusting God to take care of his son, and was anxious and worrying about it. The border guard asked why they were going into the US and they told him. He asked them if they spoke Spanish and they replied no. The guard began to speak in Spanish for a few minutes, then asked them if they knew what he'd said. Of course they didn't. He'd quoted Philippians 4: 6 & 7 "Do not be anxious about anything..." Wow.

Profound thought:
The thing you want God to take away is the thing you need in your life.

The Real Prosperity Gospel

Taken from our pastor's notes:

"All of us have heard about the prosperity gospel. It is a false teaching that says if you claim wealth in faith, you will become wealthy. Interestingly enough, this message is based upon a half truth. What is true, is that there are in fact economic ramifications to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a general rule, (there are significant exceptions to this) obedient Christians tend to do better financially than those who do not fear God. This is due to two factors. The first is the blessing of God. The second is that a redeemed personality is more likely to treat money differently."

He went on to explain that it is a notable phenomenon that when people give their lives to Christ, they give their money too, and their time. They have a different mind set, and don't spend money on themselves. Money begins to accumulate and instead of spending it on alcohol, gambling, parties, etc. they have more than when they lived a wasted life. In tribal countries where men used to beat their wives, and let them do all the work, after they found Christ they began to work with their wives, and so earned more to bring into the home. It's an amazing concept. Once our lives are cleaned up and surrendered to God, the blessings come upon us.

Deuteronomy 28: 1 & 2 "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord...all of these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you."

Points from the Pastor's message:

The godly life often has economic advantages.
The godly life heightens our EQ. (emotional intelligence)
The godly life combines worship and work in one unified whole.
The godly life seeks the way of peace.
The godly life sees compounding benefits.

Prosperity and generosity are related.