Welcome to the historic Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New Westminster. St. Mary’s has provided Christian ministry and worship in the Anglican tradition for nearly a century and a half. Our neighborhood in Sapperton has changed through this history. There are still elements of a sturdy working class area that bordered on a large provincial penitentiary but it is increasingly diverse, blending economic, age and ethnic groups. The penitentiary is gone. A former landmark, a large brewery, is gone, the land cleared for development a half a block from the parish church. Fashionable shops have appeared along with long time businesses on East Columbia in Sapperton’s commercial area. The Royal Columbian Hospital is a modern, technically advanced and, at times, overburdened regional health care centre. Old school and new school meet in ways that are challenging, fun and a little funky.
Visit us and you enter into British Columbia’s history and spiritual heritage. The building, reminiscent of an English village church, offers an atmosphere of reverence and lively tradition as members of the congregation and visitors are greeted and invited to take a place among us.
Light streams into the wood interior through stained glass windows erected by faithful members and friends throughout the history of St. Mary’s. In the windows you will see the image of Christ, his followers, grown ups and children, and in several of them you will see Mary, the mother of Jesus and our patron saint.
On Sundays your eye will be drawn to the holy table, lovingly prepared by members of the Altar Guild, draped with festive textiles, crisp, white linens, candles and flowers, similar to the way many of us like to prepare our table at home for a festive occasion. A sanctuary lamp glows above the aumbry, a niche beside the altar where the reserved Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ is kept for distribution to the sick and homebound. You will be greeted with music and invited to join in song led by organ and choir. Some Sundays our “house band” brings out their guitars and joyful voices to add to the blend. On important festivals the fragrance of incense accompanies prayer rising to God and all the senses are engaged in worship.
The ambo or lectern is where the Word of God is read and interpreted to challenge and encourage us in the daily adventure of living our faith, hope and love. We are people of prayer and bring the world, our nation and community, our own needs and those of others before Creator of all and entrust them to God’s care. We take time after prayer to share a hopeful greeting of shalom, peace, with others.
We provide support to our parish and community through the Sunday offering, an opportunity to return to God and share with others blessings we have received. We reach out to make a difference in the world through several trustworthy organizations, local and international. We offer thanks and praise at the holy table as a community humbled and honored to stand before God as a priestly people. The bread and cup are consecrated and the very life of Christ, his body and blood are distributed according the example and command of the One who did not hesitate to come to the table with outcasts and sinners. All those who are baptized are welcome to receive the bread and cup. Others are welcome to come to the table for a personal blessing.
After Communion our worship is completed with prayer and the priest pronounces God’s blessing on everyone present. A final burst of song accompanies the procession out of the church and everyone is invited to join us for refreshments and fellowship in the church hall across the courtyard.
As the first disciple of Jesus said to his brother, “Come and see”. You are warmly welcome, but we’ll try not to push into your space. Come as you are, but we hope you don’t leave as you came.