St. Columba Anglican Church
To continue this tour, keep walking east along Main Street.
St. Columba Anglican Church
The contractor was instructed to build a church on the most beautiful site on Vancouver Island. We think they chose well.
Even before there was a church in Tofino, people gathered to worship. Every Sunday, the Garrard family would haul their organ down to the community hall where lay readers would lead a service. In the spring of 1911, however, it seemed as if Tofino would get its own church. The minutes from a meeting of the Westcoast Mission from March 16, 1911, show pledges for the purchase of a lot. Two lots were purchased with $100 donated by Tofino residents.
St. Columba Anglican Church was built in 1913 with funds sent from England and the instructions to build a church “on the most beautiful spot on Vancouver Island” in memory of Francis Beresford Wright. The Anglican bishop at the time decided that the most “beautiful spot” was in Tofino and he appointed George Aitkens to design the church.
Local men, including John Chesterman, Frank and Burdett Garrard, and Jacob Arnet cleared the land and constructed the church. It was built on cedar posts, a style common to the coast. (A cement block foundation was added in 1967).
The first minister, Reverend L.A. Todd, married Nancy Shanker and Sofus Arnet on December 30, 1913, in this church’s first wedding.
Most of the rhododendrons were planted in about 1925 and a vicarage once sat on the property, behind the church and towards the alley.
The community has always been involved in the operation and maintenance of this Tofino landmark, from fundraisers that include bake sales, bazaars, teas, garage sales, and box socials, to “work bees,” in which community members come out to construct a rock wall, fix a sagging floor, landscape the property, build an addition or install a furnace.
Oral history Interviews:
Born in Tofino, Roland Arnet is the third generation of his family to live and work on Tofino's waterfront. Hisgrandfather, Jacob Arnet, was one of the earliest European settlers here in 1894. In an interview with Sean McLorie as part of the “Tofino Through Time” series, “Roll” recalls its role in the community and his life.
The Sadler family (Ruth, Ken, Harold, and Cindy) recall the early days of the Sunday School.
