Fonds F-297 - Missions to Seamen (Vancouver, B.C.) fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Missions to Seamen (Vancouver, B.C.) fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of fonds.

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Fonds

Reference code

AADNW F-297

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Physical description

2.5 metres of textual records and other material

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1915-)

Administrative history

During his holiday in 1835 at Clevedon, an islet in the Bristol Channel, John Ashley, a young clergymen, learned that the people living in the surrounding islets as well as the crew of the fleet off the coast of Wales would greatly appreciate the opportunity to attend a religious service. He determined to devote his life to the men of the sea. In 1837 a Society was formed called the Bristol Mission. In 1845 the name was changed to the Bristol Channel Seamen's Mission with John Ashley as its first chaplain. The cutter "Eirene" was built to visit seagoing vessels. Services were held on board when necessary. In 1856 a preliminary meeting was held in London to form a national society, Missions to Seamen Afloat, at Home and Abroad. Two years later the original Bristol Channel Mission united with the London society to form Missions to Seamen. The society grew around the world into a far-flung;organization. The Missions to Seamen in the Diocese of New Westminster evolved around three branches: Vancouver, North Vancouver and New Westminster. The terms of reference of the Society are: to promote the spiritual, moral and physical well-being of seafaring persons without distinction of race or nationality in community with the Missions to Seamen, London, England; to provide recreational facilities and sponsor recreational activities in the Diocese; to acquire the rights, title and interest in any real or personal property owned by Missions to Seamen organization, including the property held in trust in its name by the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster; to act in accordance with the principles and received practices of the Anglican Church of Canada and those of the Missions to Seamen of London, England; to raise money for charitable purposes by public and private subscriptions and collections. The members of the Society are: the subscribers to the constitutions and by-laws, persons who made outstanding contributions to the work of Missions to Seamen, and honorary members appointed by the director. Members other than life and honorary members are required to pay an annual subscription. The affairs and property of the Society are administered by a Board of Directors of 12 members. The Bishop of the Diocese is director of the Society ex-officio. The officers elected are: the President, the Vice-president, the Secretary and the Treasurer. The director has the authority to appoint ad-hoc committees to carry out special duties. The director appoints also the Senior Chaplain, Chaplains and Lay Readers in consultation with the Missions to Seamen, London, and after obtaining the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese. In the event of the dissolution of the society, the money or other assets remaining after payment of all creditors have to be delivered to the Diocese of New Westminster to be used for promoting the spiritual, moral and physical well-being of seafarers. The Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster acknowledges the aims, objectives, and work of the Missions to Seamen of London, England in Canon XXVI. The Synod recognizes the Bishop's right to appoint Chaplains to branches of the Missions to Seamen within the Diocese. In 1913, the Bishop appointed a Committee on Missions to Seamen of four members: two members to be elected by the Synod and two by the Chaplain and Superintendent (31st session of the Synod). The Committee reports annually to the Synod and provides an audited financial statement for each year. The first Seamen Institute was established in Vancouver in 1900 by the Rev. G. Fiennes Clinton, close to St. James' Church on Gore Avenue, Vancouver. In 1904 the establishment became part of the Missions to Seamen Society. Three women's auxiliary groups - the Harbour Light Guild, the Senior Lightkeepers, and the Watch Ashore - arranged social activities and raised money for sailors coming from around the world. The North Vancouver Missions to Seamen branch began with a project in 1934 when the St. John's Men Club was looking for a suitable project to provide a shelter for sailors who spent some hours of leave on the shore. Under the leadership of Canon H.P. Barrette, the Mission became a reality early in 1935. It was incorporated under the Societies Act and authorized by headquarters in London to fly the house flag well known to sailors everywhere as the "Flying Angel". The interest for a Missions to Seamen branch in New Westminster was aroused in 1928 among the members of Holy Trinity Men's Club as a response to the ever-increasing number of seamen visiting the port. A Seamen's Clubroom was opened. In May 1929 the link with Missions to Seamen headquarters was established and the "Flying Angel" international symbol and emblem was flown over the club. The parish of Holy Trinity Cathedral offered substantial support to Missions to Seamen in New Westminster by offering rent free location to the quarters of the organization.

Custodial history

Records were in the custody of the Vancouver Branch, 50 Dunlevy site, Vancouver (B.C.).

Scope and content

The fonds consists of official records from the three original branches of the Missions to Seamen in the Diocese, Vancouver, New Westminster and North Vancouver branches. It includes Chaplain's personal records; handwritten notes; handwritten minutes of committees' meetings; handwritten logbooks and lists of ships' and hospitals' visits; financial statements; various committee records; publications [both locally produced and from England], scrapbooks and historical reference material. The fonds includes also records of women's organizations (Senior Lightkeepers, Harbour Lights Guild, and the Evening Watch) affiliated with each of the three branches. The fonds also includes records of the Holy Trinity Men's Club. It includes ca. 101 negative copy prints of photographs, loose or glued in the scrapbooks. Printed material includes mainly unbound and bound volumes of "The Church and the Sailor" (14 volumes: 1938-1942 and 1952-1956), issues of "The Flying Angel" of the Diocese of New Westminster (1976-1993) with two special issues of "The Flying Angel on the Pacific Coast published for the centennial celebration of the work of the mission.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

At the time of transfer the records were in the custody of the Vancouver Branch, stored in a basement cupboard at the 50 Dunlevy site. Transfers to the Archives were made in 1988, 1989 and 1993. Acquired from The Rev. Joe Parker, Senior Chaplain of the Mission (1975-1993).

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Finding aids

Guide #.297

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Accruals

General note

Includes 210.5 cm. of textual records, 9 scrapbooks, 1 technical drawing, ca.15cm of photographs and negatives and 10 artifacts

General note

Records were arranged by Archivist into 32 series: Vancouver Branch - Series 1 to 17, New Westminster Branch - Series 18 to 25, North Vancouver Branch - Series 26 to 30 and Other - Series 31 and 32.

General note

Further accruals expected.

General note

Inventory and series descriptions available in hard copy only.

General note

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Data entry data: 2/1/1996 3:31

General note

control number: ANGNW-355

Alpha-numeric designations

Inmagic identifier: 1

Conservation

changeDJS

Conservation

BCAULOK -- Jan. 12, 2000

Alpha-numeric designations

Alpha-numeric designations: BCAUL

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  • Nov. 3, 1997 DJS
  • Jan. 11, 2000 DJS
  • Jan. 12, 2000 DJS

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Physical storage

  • Box: D 73
  • Box: D725
  • Box: D726
  • Box: D727
  • Box: D728
  • Box: D729
  • Box: D730
  • Box: D731
  • Box: D732
  • Box: D733
  • Box: D734
  • Box: D736
  • Box: D737
  • Box: D738
  • Box: D738a
  • Box: D739
  • Box: D740
  • Box: D741
  • Box: D73, D725 to D734; D736 to 741; Photos MTS /1-3