Canadian Memorial Chapel was born in the hearts of private soldiers in the First World War who, guided by a sergeant, formed a working party to bury six of Canada's war dead. On a November night of 1915, in the Ypres Salient, France, one of the soldiers said to Reverend Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt.-Col.) George Fallis, CBE, ED, DD: "Padre, after the war is over some chaplain should build a memorial in Canada in memory of fellows like these who have given their all." From that moment on, he would never lay away their beloved dead without the idea of a memorial chapel in his mind.
On his return to Canada he was advised by Reverend S.D. Chown, DD, General Superintendent of the Methodist Church, to go to Vancouver and choose a site in Shaughnessy Heights facing the eternal hills to erect the chapel of his dreams. He arrived in Vancouver in May 1920, to a willing congregation and plans were quickly laid.
Lt.-Col. Fallis' friend Chris Spencer, CBE, advised him that in order for there to be national significance to the chapel, he should go across Canada and interview lieutenant governors, premiers, statesmen and leaders of each province, asking them to underwrite the windows.
The first visit was to Victoria where Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Walter C. Nichol was out of the capital for a few days. The Premier, the Honourable John Oliver, unreservedly commended the movement. He said, "I am a poor man, but I should like to subscribe the first hundred dollars towards the British Columbia window." Lt.-Col. Fallis interviewed several other men in public life and was met with cordial reception.
When the Honourable Walter Nichol returned he required twelve hundred dollars more to underwrite the window. He said: "You are going to be a very busy person visiting all the Provinces. I will underwrite the balance for the British Columbia Window." He added, "Now that you have finished British Columbia, I should advise you to go to Prince Edward Island and if you get the support of the far West and the far East, I am sure the provinces in between will respond."
Mr. Nichol became ill and eventually died. Lt.-Col. Fallis received a letter from a trust company asking for the balance on the British Columbia. Mr. Nichol had left instructions that it was to be paid out of his estate - one of the most touching moments in building the Chapel.
Depicted in the British Columbia Window - “A Soldier’s Faith” portrays a majestic Christ meeting the Roman centurion who pleads on behalf of his palsied servant. Disease and war wounds suffered by the troops were responded to by medical staff who played an essential role during the war. The historic panels show Simon Fraser in 1808 and Captain Vancouver at Nootka Sound.
