Our Facility & Sacred Spaces
We are blessed to have a large, beautiful heritage church and facility that hosts many community groups and ministries. Below you can learn about rental opportunities, our sacred spaces, and why they’re sacred to us.
We acknowledge that our facilities and sacred spaces are located on the unceded ancestral land of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations. We give thanks for the land on which we gather to work, pray, and worship.
Facility & Rentals
Our facilities offer a diversity of spaces to suit groups of all sizes with a wide variety of needs. Small groups in comfy chairs to large groups playing games and dancing.
We offer a set up and take down service for chairs and tables (additional charge may apply). Our commercial kitchen can be booked along side the Gym for catered events plus we have a kitchen attached to the hall for tea and coffee making.
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All levels of our building (except for the Hambidge Room) are accessible via ramps from the outdoors. Unfortunately, our elevator is in need of replacement, so travel between levels/floors requires one to go outside and re-enter via a different ramp depending on the desired destination.
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All our washrooms can be used by folks regardless of gender identity or expression.
St. Mary’s is equipped with several toilet facilities. On the main level (sanctuary level) there is a single-stall semi-accessible washroom and two other toilet facilities, one featuring three stalls, the other featuring one stall and two urinals. On the lower level, (in the main hallway) there’s a single-stall semi-accessible washroom. On the office level, there is a single-stall semi-accessible washroom located near the gym (only available after 4pm).
Booking Inquiries
Our Key User Groups
Sacred Spaces
Sanctuary
Renowned Vancouver architects Sharp & Thompson designed the original single-aisle church, built in 1913. George Sharp was a member of the congregation and lived across the street from the church site.
The church is Arts and Crafts style, similar to an English village church. It has shingled and board-and-batten walls. Inside are stained glass and brass lanterns.
Ecclesiastical architects Twizell & Twizell designed the 1947 additions to either end of the church. William Rhone designed upgrades in 1989 and 1994.
There are two main entrances: one at the corner of 37th and Larch, and an internal entrance accessible via the main office building.
Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden or Garden of Remembrance is a beautiful and peaceful place where the ashes of loved ones can be scattered so they can be visited by the parishioners when they come to church so they have a meaningful moment in the presence of God. It can also be a place to spend a moment of tranquility and reflection among the flowers. It is located between the Sanctuary and the Parish Hall.
If you or your family wish to have a loved one scattered in the Garden please do not hesitate to contact the office so we can discuss a possible Garden service. Don’t feel discouraged if you are not yet a member of the parish, you can still submit a request for your loved ones to be added into the Garden.
Labyrinth
In 2012 we integrated a labyrinth into the gym floor when it was refinished. It is a full-sized replica of the one in Chartres, France, which is among the most famous labyrinths in the world and is frequently replicated due to its simplicity.
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Labyrinths have roots in Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. For some it symbolizes the path Jesus Christ took in his resurrection: He would cross the labyrinth to defeat the devil, and triumph against death, so He can offer a light to everyone that follows him to eternal life.
Nowadays, it has become established as a metaphor for life's journey. The symbolic voyage takes the spiritual traveller into the depths of the self and then back out into the world. The labyrinth becomes a mirror of where we are in our lives.
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Walking the labyrinth is a practice used to connect with oneself, to meditate and find peace, or to reflect on the journey of life. There are no dead ends or false paths in a labyrinth, just one way in and one way out, so as not to get lost. The multiple turns welcome reflection as attention is needed as one walks through. Finally, the walker reaches the center, which can represent various things: the true self, the heart, peace, enlightenment, and more. This way, the crossing of the labyrinth can be a truly personal and moving experience.
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The labyrinth is open for public use either during scheduled timeslots or by appointment.
Scheduled Labyrinth Hours:
Sundays 7:30am-12:30pmOr by appointment – reach out to:
office@stmaryskerrisdale.caIf you would like some guidance on walking the labyrinth, please reach out to us. We also hope to establish a regular church service that uses the labyrinth – stay tuned for more information!
Chapel
We have a beautiful little chapel, just off to the side of our main sanctuary. If there is a smaller service to be had, we will gather in here. It is a quiet, contemplative space, distinguished by the beautiful stained-glass window of Mother Mary and baby Jesus. The window was dedicated to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving of Olav and Victoria Naas, Hugh and Ollie Whitcutt, Norman and Lousie Tarbuck.
St. Mary’s Library
Our St. Mary’s Library is located inside, in between our Sanctuary and Parish Hall. It is run thanks to our fabulous librarian Pat. Folks are welcome to swing by, read a book or two while in the Library or borrow a book to read on the go. Our books range from novels with a religious theme to reference books looking at all aspects of the Christian life. If you have questions about faith or want to find a book to help you think about the interpretation of scripture we will have a book to help. Advice is usually available from someone in the office. There is also a children’s section and some books suitable for teenagers as well.
We also have a library cart - often out near the office, where books are sold for $2 to fund both our St. Mary’s library and our little library.
Our Little Library
The Little Free Library program is a book-sharing movement with 150,000 libraries worldwide. Ours was lovingly designed to mirror the structure of the church, located just outside the main entrance. With this library, we can share books we love and connect with our community. Books can be taken and given freely – just pop by to grab a new read or leave one behind for someone else to enjoy. Together we can help make reading accessible to all.
You can find this and more libraries on the Free Little Library map here.
Prayer Tree & Gardens
Our Prayer Tree initiative invites folks to pause, pray, and tie a ribbon onto the tree nearest our main office doors. It started during the pandemic, as a way for folks to be ‘tied together in prayer’.
We are stewards of a beautiful parcel of God’s creation. We tend regularly to the various gardens around our property, and take pride in them all year long. Depending on the time of year, you can often spot a snowdrop popping, a daffodil blooming, or our cacti soaking up some sun.
St. Mary’s Mews
St. Mary’s Mews is a seniors’ housing building with 18 independent living units that are partially subsidized by BC Housing. The Mews is not directly owned by the Parish, but rather by an adjacent charitable organization – the St. Mary’s Kerrisdale Housing Society (SMKHS).
Management of the Mews is handled by Vancouver Management Limited. This means Vancouver Management is responsible for anything related to day-to-day operations of the building, including renting out and maintaining all suites. All related inquiries should be directed to them – you can contact Vancouver Management through their website or by telephone at 604-263-1766.
For more information on the work of the SMKHS, or to inquire about joining, please reach out to the Board President, the Rev. Lindsay Hills.
Stained Glass Windows Project
Coming soon. Stay tuned.
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