1912 – Design for Greek Orthodox Church, Vancouver, Canada

Clearly inspired by J.F. Bentley’s plan for the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Westminster in London. Not constructed.

“The proposed Greek Orthodox Church shown in the accompanying illustrations, which will fill a long-felt necessity in Vancouver, is to be erected in the immediate future for the accommodation of a large and increasing body. The architects for the new edifice are Messrs. Bryan & Gillam, of Vancouver, who are instructed to design a building in the Byzantine style of architecture, which is so closely identified with the traditions of the Greek Church.

The most noted examples of ancient Byzantine architecture are to be found in south-eastern Europe, perhaps the most noted being the Mosque of St. Sophia, in Constantinople, once a Christian cathedral but now a Moslem Mosque.

Modern ecclesiastical buildings in the Byzantine style are extremely rare, the most noted and beautiful example being the new R. C. Cathedral at Westminster in London. Eng., designed by the late John Francis Bentley, who died without seeing his masterpiece completed.

This new Orthodox church will be unique among Vancouver’s many handsome and ever-increasing churches, and although ancient in design, will be most modern in construction, reinforced concrete entering largely into the construction of the piers and pentatives supporting the domes.

The interior will be treated in entire harmony with the Byzantine style. The nave and transepts will be barrel vaulted, merging into the arches supporting the central dome, while the sanctuary will be paved in marble mosaic and the walls panelled in richly colored marbles. The rood screen crossing the chancel will be richly decorated, while the eastern windows above the altar will be of colored stained glass. This, with the scheme of upper lighting from the clerestory windows below the central dome, will greatly enhance the feeling of spaciousness and impressiveness within the church, thereby giving full effect to the dignity and grandeur of the Greek ritual.

The exterior facings of the walls will be in red brick and white stone, and will be treated in the simple manner characteristic of the Byzantine style. while the graceful proportions of the tower crowned with its copper dome will make it a landmark in Vancouver, and the effect of the salt sea breezes will tone all the copper domes to that indescribable green color so admired by the artistic temperament. The roof will be of slate.”
Engineering and Contract Record, January 8, 1913

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