The church is bigger, the congregation larger and the ministries more varied, but it was the same church, on the same site, on the same day, just 130 years apart.
On Dec. 18, All Saints Anglican Church in Ladner celebrated 130 years, to the day, since it was consecrated by Bishop Sillitoe in 1881. And it was done with many local leaders.
The Service of Lessons and Carols is a service with nine lessons telling the story of Christmas, accompanied by carols telling the same story.
At this service, lessons were read by Mayor Lois Jackson, MLA Vicki Huntington, police chief Jim Cessford, Nancy Edmonds (a member of one of Ladner's pioneering families) as well as ministers from other churches and members of All Saints.
The current rector, Elizabeth Northcott, retired archbishop Douglas Hambidge and Bishop Michael Ingham also participated.
The full church enjoyed many familiar Christmas carols and a choir made up of members of a number of local churches sang some less familiar ones.
Erica Northcott, a cousin of the current rector and a well-respected Vancouver singer, provided a solo.
At a reception afterward, St. David's Anglican Church in Tsawwassen presented All Saints with a painting by Belinda Llewellyn commemorating the event.
Elizabeth Northcott expressed her gratitude for the great support the event received from the community.
"Ever since I came to Ladner, I have come to appreciate what a strong sense of community we have here, and how much people care for each other. It was a thrill to be able to involve members of the community and other churches in a celebration of an important milestone for this member of our community."
