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Originally
called Blessed Sacrament Parish, it had its origins probably
as an Oblate Mission prior to 1913, though there is no documentation
concerning this.
The first church was a little log cabin on the south side
of River Road (now Marine Drive) between Nanaimo and Victoria
roads, and here it was that Father Mostyn, O.M.I. celebrated
Mass for a small group of Catholics in that area.
Early in 1914 the Church was moved to 52nd Avenue (now 60th
Ave.) and Victoria Road where they rented a store for $5.00
a month. These premises became too small so they moved to
a store building directly across on Victoria Road on the west
side in 1915. Shortly after Father Mostyn was replaced by
Father Fitzpatrick. This store was used to celebrate Mass
until 1922 when Father Fitzpatrick built a new church at 53rd
Avenue and Victoria Road (now 51st Ave.) The two lots on which
the church was built were donated by a parishioner, Mr. Henry
Vauro.
Father Fitzpatrick built this church apparently on his own
resources and responsibility with some help from the Catholic
Church Extension Society. The new church was not consecrated,
however, Father O'Malley came up from the Cathedral to bless
it.
During the course of moving from the store to the new church
almost all records were lost or burned, which was to cause
great inconvenience at a later date and also render it almost
impossible to give accurate dates on the various changes that
took place. It also made it impossible to obtain the first
Baptism, Marriage etc. records. The date for this history,
previous to 1922, was obtained from the memories of old time
parishioner, and in this connection we owe thanks particularly
to Mr. and Mrs. John Carney, Sr.
Shortly after the new church was blessed Father Cronin was
sent to replace Father Fitzpatrick. Father Cronin served the
Parish until 1928 at which time he was replaced by Father
Blackburne.
In 1931, under the direction of Father Blackburne, the church
was moved to 51st Avenue (now 49th Ave.) at which time a basement
and choir loft were added to it. About a year later Father
Blackburne built a Rectory next door to the Church. Owing
to various factors, mainly the depression, the debts incurred
in moving and building were not cleared off until 1947 by
Monsignor Carroll, the Parish Priest at that time.
When the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament established the
French National parish in 1946 there existed two parishes
under the same name, Blessed Sacrament, for about 30 days.
On June 25th, 1946 the name of the South Vancouver parish
was officially changed to Corpus Christi. |
