Port Renfrew Heritage: The Little Church That Moved a Mountain
Port Renfrew’s heritage is best reflected in St. Mary’s Ecumenical Church, a historic building first built in 1909 in Somenos and moved to the coast in 1970. It’s one of Vancouver Island’s oldest wooden churches and a symbol of the community’s resilience and shared history.
A Church with Two Lives – From Somenos to Port Renfrew
Tucked between the evergreens of Port Renfrew stands a small cedar-shingled church with a story far bigger than its frame. St. Mary’s Ecumenical Church wasn’t built here. It made a journey that carried it across the island, through fire, and into the heart of this west-coast village.
This Port Renfrew Heritage story begins in Somenos, near Duncan, where the first St. Mary’s Anglican Church rose in 1874. It served settlers, farmers, and loggers for decades until a devastating fire nearly erased it from history. In 1909, parishioners rebuilt it on the same foundation. Its steep gables, diamond-pane windows, and hand-cut cedar shingles reflected the simple Gothic craftsmanship of the time.
When the Somenos parish closed in the late 1960s, the congregation refused to see the building fade away. Instead, they gave it a second life.
The Journey That Shaped a Community
In 1970, volunteers carefully dismantled the entire church, loaded it piece by piece, and moved it to Port Renfrew. It wasn’t a small task. Locals recall trucks rumbling down the long coastal road, carrying beams, pews, and stained-glass windows through rain and fog.
When it was reassembled on a quiet corner near Beach Camp, it stood again—weathered, humble, and beautiful. From that moment, St. Mary’s became an ecumenical church, welcoming Anglicans, Catholics, United, and Presbyterian worshippers under one roof.
Faith and Friendship Under One Roof
Over the years, St. Mary’s has been more than a church. It’s hosted weddings, memorials, potlucks, Christmas concerts, and community meetings. The bell tower still rings softly on Sundays. A small memorial garden behind the church honours local families and fishermen lost to the sea.
Inside, the cedar walls glow in the coastal light. The original leaded windows remain, their glass slightly rippled with age. You can almost hear the echoes of hymns sung by the people who built it twice—once in Somenos and again in Renfrew.
Preserving The Port Renfrew Heritage for Future Generations
Today, St. Mary’s Ecumenical Church stands as one of Port Renfrew’s oldest surviving buildings and a living example of community spirit. It tells the story of faith, resilience, and the power of cooperation. Even without official heritage status, it carries the weight of local memory and pride.
In a town known for wild coastlines and untamed forests, this modest wooden chapel reminds visitors of the quieter strength it takes to preserve something meaningful.
Visit This Historic Landmark on Vancouver Island’s West Coast
If you walk or drive through Port Renfrew, stop by St. Mary’s. The church sits just off Baird Road, framed by rhododendrons and evergreens. It’s often unassuming at first glance—but step closer, and you’ll see the care in every weathered board and pane of glass.
It’s proof that history doesn’t need grand cathedrals to survive. Sometimes, it just needs a few determined hands, a bit of faith, and a small town ready to make room for it.
Interested in learning more about the Port Renfrew Heritage? View our blog articles.
Learn about our Lots For Sale HERE or contact us at 250.388.0268.