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Central Saanich United Church
Saanichton
BC
V8M 1Y4
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Who we are
Central Saanich United Church is an amalgamation of two congregations (Brentwood Bay United Church and Shady Creek United Church) that have come together as an entirely new congregation – with exciting new possibilities!
You have found us in a time of change:
New Ministry! Since January 2024 we have engaged in a Team Ministry, coordinated by the Rev. Cheryl Black, and including as Sunday Supply Worship Providers: Cheryl Black, Rev. Nick Parker, Sandi Parker DLM, and Rev. Allan Saunders. Each leads one service per month, supplemented by congregant leadership when necessary.
New Building! We are also engaged in a significant renewal and expansion of Church building. The sanctuary has been designated as a heritage building and a modern new annex being constructed adjacent and integrated with the sanctuary. Construction is schedule to start in the next few weeks, and for the next six months we will be worshipping in the Church Hall across from the sanctuary.
We trust you may feel the 'touch' of grace, respect, and companionship in our gathering together in worship and in fellowship.
Peace be with you.
You have found us in a time of change:
New Ministry! Since January 2024 we have engaged in a Team Ministry, coordinated by the Rev. Cheryl Black, and including as Sunday Supply Worship Providers: Cheryl Black, Rev. Nick Parker, Sandi Parker DLM, and Rev. Allan Saunders. Each leads one service per month, supplemented by congregant leadership when necessary.
New Building! We are also engaged in a significant renewal and expansion of Church building. The sanctuary has been designated as a heritage building and a modern new annex being constructed adjacent and integrated with the sanctuary. Construction is schedule to start in the next few weeks, and for the next six months we will be worshipping in the Church Hall across from the sanctuary.
We trust you may feel the 'touch' of grace, respect, and companionship in our gathering together in worship and in fellowship.
Peace be with you.
Church Address
7180 East Saanich Road
Saanichton,
BC
V8M 1Y4
Canada
Phone: 250-652-2713
Download Central Saanich United Church vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Cheryl Black
Minister
7180 East Saanich Road
Saanichton,
BC
V8M 1Y4
Canada
Phone: 250-652-2713
Download Minister Rev. Cheryl Black vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Denomination
United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada churches in Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada
United Church of Canada churches in British Columbia, Canada
United Church of Canada churches in Canada
All churches in Saanichton, BC
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Central Saanich United Church Saanichton on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Cheryl Black
Leader Position:
Minister
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Leader Bio:
We are pleased to welcome Rev. Cheryl Black to Central Saanich United Church as Coordinating Minister.
Cheryl has a lot of experience! She has been ordained more than 40 years and still loves church and ministry. Since retiring from St. Aidan’s/Broad View United she has been working with small congregations to embrace the potential provided by part time ministry and retired ministers. She is excited by the possibilities of small congregations doing more with less; of working smarter not harder; and of becoming not just small congregations but strong, sustainable and spiritually alive congregations as well. In off time you will find Cheryl and her wife Shelagh MacKinnon growing roses, watching baseball and taking their little dog ‘Ebbie’ for walks.
Cheryl can be reached via email and can be found in person at the church office on Tuesdays and Fridays and at Sunday Worship.
Pulpit supply is shared by four worship leaders: Cheryl Black, Nick Parker, Sandi Parker, and Allan Saunders.
The congregation is also supported by Chaplain - Tammy Lindahl
Cheryl has a lot of experience! She has been ordained more than 40 years and still loves church and ministry. Since retiring from St. Aidan’s/Broad View United she has been working with small congregations to embrace the potential provided by part time ministry and retired ministers. She is excited by the possibilities of small congregations doing more with less; of working smarter not harder; and of becoming not just small congregations but strong, sustainable and spiritually alive congregations as well. In off time you will find Cheryl and her wife Shelagh MacKinnon growing roses, watching baseball and taking their little dog ‘Ebbie’ for walks.
Cheryl can be reached via email and can be found in person at the church office on Tuesdays and Fridays and at Sunday Worship.
Pulpit supply is shared by four worship leaders: Cheryl Black, Nick Parker, Sandi Parker, and Allan Saunders.
The congregation is also supported by Chaplain - Tammy Lindahl
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Rev. Cheryl Black on Social Media:
Central Saanich United Church Leadership Photos
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Central Saanich United Church Saanichton Service Times
We offer in person Worship at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays.
Recorded services are available after 2 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvQsOuYfz7OOUwExOkJYgA/videos
Service Times last updated on the 10th of September, 2024
Recorded services are available after 2 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvQsOuYfz7OOUwExOkJYgA/videos
Service Times last updated on the 10th of September, 2024
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Central Saanich United Church Photo Gallery
Central Saanich United Church History
Early settlers on Saanich Peninsula
Our story began in 1858 when a group of settlers arrived in Victoria aboard the steamer “Oregon” from what was then the bustling mining town of San Francisco, California. The new settlers included a number of black families, part of an immigration of about 700 black settlers who came to western Canada around that time at the invitation of Governor Douglas.
New arrivals needed a church
One of the black families on board was that of Charles Alexander. He and his wife, Nancy, were originally from St. Louis and had journeyed by covered wagon west to California. On arrival in Victoria, the Alexanders and a number of other families decided to settle on the Saanich Peninsula. The new settlers soon decided that a church was needed. By 1862 it was determined that a building for that purpose would be constructed near the Old East Saanich Road.
Charles Alexander - being a carpenter and having a fine singing voice - was, not surprisingly, one of the leaders of the project. The present "Shady Creek" church is the second church in the vicinity - Charles' church likely having become too small for a growing community. However, the pews he built were in use until very recently, and descendents of his are members of the congregation to this day.
The building’s plain wood frame construction reflects the role of farmers in creating the first buildings of the rural community. It is also important to note that this particular building was constructed without a bell tower. Bell towers, steeples and pointed windows were only sometimes used to identify the church buildings of the late 19th century. The most iconic elements of church buildings were the front-facing gable roof, central entry, white paint, and three or four windows per side, and this building is an excellent example of the iconic church in its simplest form.
Recent history
The Alexanders were joined by other settlers from California, while others moved on to places like Salt Spring Island. Meanwhile, other settlers arrived from England, Ireland, and other countries. The Methodists met in what was to eventually be called "Shady Creek Church." Meanwhile, Brentwood Bay, on the western side of the Saanich Peninsula, grew to be a sizable community by the 1950's so a new church was needed in the community. In time, Shady Creek United Church and the Brentwood Bay United Church became a "pastoral charge."
The times they keep achangin'
Because members of the Brentwood Bay church gradually moved away or passed on, further changes took place. In 2016 the Brentwood Bay congregation moved over to Shady Creek and from then on everyone met together for services, study and social events. It soon became obvious that they should acquire a new name. After a good deal of discussion, head scratching and soul searching, they decided on Central Saanich United Church (at Shady Creek).
Since then, the church building has had a bit of a facelift. The upgrades in appearance and comfort of the church were completed in time for everyone to use the renovated sanctuary on Easter Sunday 2018. (Upgrades to the hall were completed some time earlier.)
The Church was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property by the District of Central Saanich in the fall of 2023, and the plaque recognizes the Church as a heritage building. The Church was designated because it is of historic value for its use as a place of congregation and worship and for its association with the family of Charles and Nancy Alexander. It is also of aesthetic value for its simplified architectural style.
We are currently constructing a new church hall and expect to be moved into the new building by fall 2024.
If you haven't been able to join us recently, do try and come soon and enjoy the new ambience.
More history can be found by clicking on a Times Colonist article immediately below.
https://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/shady-creek-united-church-is-as-old-as-victoria-1.7911
We're also delighted that our church was featured in a documentary BLK: An Origin Story and filming took place at our Church earlier on in 2021. You can watch the program via the History Channel, Canada
Our story began in 1858 when a group of settlers arrived in Victoria aboard the steamer “Oregon” from what was then the bustling mining town of San Francisco, California. The new settlers included a number of black families, part of an immigration of about 700 black settlers who came to western Canada around that time at the invitation of Governor Douglas.
New arrivals needed a church
One of the black families on board was that of Charles Alexander. He and his wife, Nancy, were originally from St. Louis and had journeyed by covered wagon west to California. On arrival in Victoria, the Alexanders and a number of other families decided to settle on the Saanich Peninsula. The new settlers soon decided that a church was needed. By 1862 it was determined that a building for that purpose would be constructed near the Old East Saanich Road.
Charles Alexander - being a carpenter and having a fine singing voice - was, not surprisingly, one of the leaders of the project. The present "Shady Creek" church is the second church in the vicinity - Charles' church likely having become too small for a growing community. However, the pews he built were in use until very recently, and descendents of his are members of the congregation to this day.
The building’s plain wood frame construction reflects the role of farmers in creating the first buildings of the rural community. It is also important to note that this particular building was constructed without a bell tower. Bell towers, steeples and pointed windows were only sometimes used to identify the church buildings of the late 19th century. The most iconic elements of church buildings were the front-facing gable roof, central entry, white paint, and three or four windows per side, and this building is an excellent example of the iconic church in its simplest form.
Recent history
The Alexanders were joined by other settlers from California, while others moved on to places like Salt Spring Island. Meanwhile, other settlers arrived from England, Ireland, and other countries. The Methodists met in what was to eventually be called "Shady Creek Church." Meanwhile, Brentwood Bay, on the western side of the Saanich Peninsula, grew to be a sizable community by the 1950's so a new church was needed in the community. In time, Shady Creek United Church and the Brentwood Bay United Church became a "pastoral charge."
The times they keep achangin'
Because members of the Brentwood Bay church gradually moved away or passed on, further changes took place. In 2016 the Brentwood Bay congregation moved over to Shady Creek and from then on everyone met together for services, study and social events. It soon became obvious that they should acquire a new name. After a good deal of discussion, head scratching and soul searching, they decided on Central Saanich United Church (at Shady Creek).
Since then, the church building has had a bit of a facelift. The upgrades in appearance and comfort of the church were completed in time for everyone to use the renovated sanctuary on Easter Sunday 2018. (Upgrades to the hall were completed some time earlier.)
The Church was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property by the District of Central Saanich in the fall of 2023, and the plaque recognizes the Church as a heritage building. The Church was designated because it is of historic value for its use as a place of congregation and worship and for its association with the family of Charles and Nancy Alexander. It is also of aesthetic value for its simplified architectural style.
We are currently constructing a new church hall and expect to be moved into the new building by fall 2024.
If you haven't been able to join us recently, do try and come soon and enjoy the new ambience.
More history can be found by clicking on a Times Colonist article immediately below.
https://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/shady-creek-united-church-is-as-old-as-victoria-1.7911
We're also delighted that our church was featured in a documentary BLK: An Origin Story and filming took place at our Church earlier on in 2021. You can watch the program via the History Channel, Canada
Central Saanich United Church Historical Photos
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