Events outside of Vancouver greatly affected
our church in 1914. An archduke of Austria
was assassinated, Austro-Hungary invaded Serbia, Germany invades the low countries,
France and Russia attack Germany, Britain sends troops to support France, and
the Great War begins in the summer of 1914.
Many of the members of our church volunteered for service with the
British Empire and in the records show that many members returned to England. Many of the leaders resigned their positions.
The year 1914-1915 shows the church facing financial struggles but still growing with many baptisms and new members. Being two years since occupation, the kitchen was finished; they didn’t rush things back then either.
The AGM in January of 1915 – the roll clerk showed that 26 had joined by baptism, 30 by letter, and 7 by experience, 7 had been dismissed by letter, 2 had died, leaving a membership of 242. Percy Williams reported as treasurer of the Young People’s Society the $9.65 had been collected during the year. Disbursements $7.50 leaving a balance of $2.15 in the treasury. Percy Williams was one of the last members of RMBC to serve in the Great War.