Christ Church Cathedral, standing strong on the corner of West Georgia and Burrard in Downtown Vancouver, is almost as old as the city itself. A fixture in the community for 125 years, the Cathedral has been working on a revitalization over the last few decades with the last phase of the project including a new roof, an all-new illuminated glass bell spire, and an expansion of its community outreach kitchen, a program feeds about 100 of Vancouver’s hungry each day during the coldest nine months of the year.
Once the brightest and tallest building in the city, it was known as ‘the light on the hill’ and used by mariners for navigation as they came into port. This heritage building is the focus of today’s Vancouver Icons photo feature:
1894. Archives# Ch P73.
Photo credit: Jordan Dawe on Flickr
1905. View of Georgia from Howe Street. Archives #Str P34.
1935. Parade for King George’s Silver Jubilee. Archives #CVA 677-279.
Between 1980 and 1997. Archives #CVA 772-257.
2011-2015 Google Street View.
1936. Parade for Vancouver’s Golden Jubilee. Photographer: Philip T. Timms. Archives #CVA 677-596.
Photo credit: Jordan Dawe & Duane Storey on Flickr
Between 1930 and 1940. Interior of Christ Church Cathedral. Archives #Ch P128.
Photo credit: colink. on Flickr
Previous Vancouver Icons posts: Waterfront Station, Pacific Central Station, Randall Building Mural, East Van Cross, Robert Burns Statue in Stanley Park, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Flack Block, The Drop, Prospect Point Lighthouse, Engagement, Ovaltine Cafe, The English Bay Slide, Freezing Water #7, Cleveland Dam, Heritage Hall, School of Theology Building at UBC, Gate to the Northwest Passage, St Paul’s Hospital, Capilano Lake, Stawamus Chief, Nine O’Clock Gun, Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.
St Paul’s Hospital has stood on Burrard Street in Downtown Vancouver for the last 100 years and Providence Health Care announced this morning that it is set to close, with a new facility and health care campus being built in the vicinity of Main and Terminal in False Creek.
1923: Archives# Bu N251.
Photo credit: Swire on Flickr
St Paul’s Hospital to Close, New False Creek Facility to be Built
Providence Health Care operates 16 health care facilities in Greater Vancouver, including St Paul’s. Here’s more information from their press release this morning:
The new hospital will continue as one of British Columbia’s two most specialized hospitals for adults. It will also be at the centre of a network of new and existing dedicated primary care services in the region, including services to support those living in Vancouver’s West End. In addition, as part of the Station Street development, Providence will look at building a number of social housing units to provide affordable housing options for Vancouver residents.
Planning for the new hospital and integrated health care campus will include the following key components: A new, full-service critical care hospital; 24/7 primary care services; chronic disease management services; mental health and addictions beds and programs; on-site residential care beds and programs; ambulatory services and outpatient clinics; non-acute medical services; a low-risk birthing centre; end-of-life care; research and teaching; community care; community outreach programs.
During the redevelopment and planning process, Providence will consult with members of the community on how best to meet the primary health care needs of seniors and others in the West End.
When patients come to the new St. Paul’s, there will be a centralized intake process that will determine the care most appropriate for each person—whether that be hospital care, primary, community care or other health care supports. This new integrated intake approach will ensure patients are directed and receive the care they need as quickly as possible.
Vancouver’s West End/Coal Harbour MLA, Spender Chandra Herbert, has been a long-time advocate for keeping St Paul’s in Downtown Vancouver. He voiced his frustration on Twitter this morning:
Providence says the plan builds on St. Paul’s current provincial role in areas such as heart, lung, kidney and HIV/AIDS care by developing new centres of excellence in addictions, mental health, aging and seniors’ care. No timeline was announced with the plan this morning.
Experience the thrill of a lifetime as you rappel 19 storeys down the side of Vancouver’s third tallest building, the Shaw Tower, all for a good local cause. Dare to Leap‘s inaugural fundraiser in support of Outward Bound Canada’s new Urban Youth Program takes place April 16th and there’s still time to sign up, fundraise, and participate in this challenge.
Dare to Leap
More than 60 inspired individuals, corporate teams and intrepid adventurers are invited to rappel 200ft. of the Shaw Tower in downtown Vancouver on Thursday, April 16, 2015. In addition to experiencing the thrill of a lifetime, “Urban Leapers” will be inspiring changes that reach far higher than their 200-foot journey. By raising funds for Outward Bound Canada’s Vancouver Urban Adventure Programs, participants will be providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to experience life changing, resiliency-building programs.
In 2010 Outward Bound Canada piloted its Urban Adventure Program Model, introducing thousands of at-risk urban youth to exciting and adventurous challenges right in their local urban neighbourhoods. The Urban Adventure Program was launched in Vancouver through partnership with local school boards and has introduced over 500 disadvantaged youth to the incredible wilderness over the past year.
Photo of me by Nordica Photography when I participated in a similar rappelling/fundraising event a few years ago. Frightening but for a great cause, and an experience I’ll never forget!
For those interested in the ultimate adventure, there is still time to register for Dare to Leap or pledge funds to a participant. Registration is $100 and if you raise an additional $900 you will be able to participate in the event. For those wishing to cheer on the brave participants, there will be a viewing area at the entrance to the Shaw Tower, along with music, events and activities throughout the day on April 16th.
Follow Outward Bound Canada on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update Before Dare to Leap
I had the chance to take some photos from the 20th floor, where participants will be starting their descent tomorrow in support of Outward Bound! Here’s the view:
Best of luck to all of the participants and thank you for supporting Outward Bound Canada!
The wait is over! Samsung Canada has launched the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge which is now available in black sapphire, white pearl, and gold platinum* styles. If you got in the #S6Lineup or pre-ordered your device through your carrier you will soon have the sleek and powerful Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge in the palm of your hand.
I’ve been playing with the Galaxy S6 over the last week, mostly for taking photos and using apps which is the main extent of my smartphone usage. The biggest feature I noticed was the screen (5.1″ Quad HD Super AMOLED® display) and its intensity. Colours popped and were much more bold than on other devices. The auto HDR was also helpful for capturing vivid scenes:
I used Quick Launch exclusively, calling up the camera without unlocking the phone and ready to shoot in under 0.7 seconds. The all-new, front-facing 5MP camera also comes with the world’s first, real-time, shadow-reduced (HDR) selective focus, so even in low light you can take clearer, brighter pictures.
The power was great too. I started writing when the battery was at 42% and in 9 minutes it has charged up to 50% (even while I was editing and pulling photos off to include in this post). I have also been using Smart Manager to check in on the battery status, storage, RAM, and security at a glance.
Win a Samsung Galaxy S6
If you would like to own your very own Galaxy S6, I have a device to give away to one lucky reader thanks to Samsung Canada. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Samsung Canada on Facebook and Twitter for more information. I will draw one contest winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Colour of the prize device will be based on availability.
*The Gold platinum style will be available April 30, 2015.
Update The winner is Nicole H!
