H I S T O R I C A L L Y
O C E A N S I D E
Over a Century of Heavenly Gatherings
by Dawn Hunter Clark
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n the late 1800's, the pioneers were settling along the West Coast, creating new adventures and lives for themselves. Starting from scratch, they had to build what they wanted in this wild place. They built homes, farms and businesses, and created the towns and cities that exist in Oceanside today.
area in this part of Vancouver Island that needed a place of worship. He travelled between Port Alberni and French Creek, searching for the right location to build a church. He consulted with the local settlers to decide on a site. In April of 1894, after careful consideration, Reverend Cooper chose a spot in French Creek.
One man who had an integral part in the beginnings of Oceanside was Reverend Canon Charles Cooper. Reverend Cooper came to the area in 1893 from England to spread the gospel. He arrived in Victoria by ship, to Nanaimo by train and finally, to Port Alberni by stagecoach. His goal was to find an
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Passionate about his beliefs and desires, he purchased the land with his own money. A dedicated man to his faith, he donated three and a half acres to the Diocese of British Columbia for church-related purposes. On April 17th, 1894,
after only a year on Vancouver Island, work began to clear the land Reverend Cooper chose for his church. Teams of oxen from nearby farmers were used to haul the logs from the bush. On the 24th of June, two months after work began on the church site, the walls were raised by eight men squaring the corners. The raising of the walls was conducted by B. Harris, James Lowery, James Dunn, Otto Renz, W. Cheney, Richard P. Wallis and W. McKenzie. Also in attendance at the raising with Reverend Cooper was Thomas Kinkade. The Reverend offered free CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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