Then and now
Introduction and Location Cedar Cottage
To this day, St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church belongs into the district of „Cedar Cottage“. By 1910, Cedar Cottage had developed into a small independent village with a post office, about 40 stores and a two-storey schoolhouse and belonged to the district of South Vancouver. Its center was located around Commercial Street (today: Commercial Drive) between E 15th Avenue und E 20th Avenue (about 3200-3600 block of Commercial Drive). The Cedar Cottage brewery was located at the corner of Westminster Highway (today Kingsway) and Knight Street. West of Knight Street the acres of Gibby’s field stretched between E 20th and E 18th Avenue.
The center of Cedar Cottage was surrounded by a residential area, which was known for its large families. The early settlers of Cedar Cottage were mainly of British and Welsh origin.
Chronological history
1907/08
1921
1925
1961 (Oct 22)
1962 (Spring/Summer)
1962–1963
1967–1970
1971–1972
1975–1976
1979–1980
1986
1988-1989
1990–1991
1994–1996
1999–2001
2003–2007
2010-2011
2012-2019
2020-2022
2024
2025
First church built at Fleming St. & 18th Ave. (“Robson Memorial Methodist Church”) for immigrants from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales
The first church burns down; a memorial stone in the garden still marks it.
Current building dedicated (masonry base, wood superstructure; originally shingle-clad), congregation joins the United Church; renamed “Robson Memorial United Church.”
German-speaking St. Mark’s congregation founded; begins renting Robson Memorial United Church.
Purchase of the church, the former hall (demolished 1966), and the old parsonage from the United Church; supported by the EKD’s external office (Dr. Wischmann).
Chancel remodel and new heating (1962); ground floor build-out (1963).
Old parsonage renovated (1967); used pipe organ installed (1967); gallery/loft added (1968); further hall/stair expansion (1970).
New organ installed/dedicated (1971); new roof on church (1972).
New parsonage constructed on the property.
Hall kitchen renovated (1979); exterior stucco applied (1980).
Accessibility ramp and west-side emergency exit added.
New front steps and refreshed stucco (1988); pews upholstered, lightning damages alarm (1989)
New roof on the newer parsonage (1990); church re-roofed (1991).
Ground floor renovated (1994); church interior painted & parsonage double-glazing (1995); infamous squirrel “visit” (1996).
New sound system (1999); tower renovated, new TV & dishwasher for hall (2000); first color photo directory (2001).
Lightning again damages alarm/fax (2003); Sunday School house interior renovated (2005); new ramp entry (2006); drainage renewed around Sunday School house & parsonage exterior painted (2007).
New PA/audio-visual system; heating supply adjusted on lower floor; new basement lights. Threshold at back door fixed; extended pest control; Christmas lights. Oct 22, 2011 – 50th anniversary celebration.
Cross installed; exterior woodwork repaired/painted; four cedars (east) (2012), 120 new basement chairs (2013); downstairs toilet, wall deconstruction & berm along parsonages (2016) basement stairs/front door (2017) and other maintenance work
Stucco repair + sealer (E & N sides) (2020), New furnace (sanctuary 2021) basement renovation (2022)
old parsonage sold
Extensive renovation work and creation of two new community rooms in the basement of the new parsonage. Donation of a Baby Grand Piano for the Sanctuary.
Photo Gallery — Click any image to open the full gallery.
