Sundowner Inn Hotel & Restaurant

CCMCC

The Sundowner Inn welcomes all to the Columbia Coast Mission Centennial Celebration, August 20-22, 2004. View the poster and print a copy!

The historic building which now houses the Sundowner Inn was built in 1929 as St. Mary’s Hospital, a flagship of the Columbia Coast Mission’s work. A project of the Anglican Church founded in 1904 by The Rev. John Antle, the Columbia Coast Mission was instrumental in bringing religious and medical services to the people who lived on the remote and isolated inlets and islands of B.C.’s “Inside Passage.” At all times of the year, and in all kinds of weather, the small fleet of Coast Mission Ships reached those who lived in lighthouses, native villages, logging camps, mining sites and small communities. The boats also transported the injured and sick, as well as expectant mothers, to St. Mary’s Hospital.

 

St. Mary’s Hospital, 1930
Dignitaries from Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast gather
for the inauguration of St. Mary’s Hospital, August 16, 1930

 
St. Mary’s Chapel was built adjacent to the hospital in 1940 and was the site of many baptisms, weddings and funerals. St. Mary’s Hospital was moved to a new building in the more centralized town of Sechelt in 1964, closing an important chapter in the story of the Columbia Coast Mission and Hospital Bay.

Soon after, the original building was converted into a hotel. The Sundowner Inn has undergone a few changes since then. The extensive balconies were enclosed and the individual rooms were converted into guest accommodations. The women’s ward was renovated into the restaurant, and the former chapel is now used as a venue for artistic performances, retreats and workshops, weddings, receptions and parties.

In memory of this historic building and the Mission Boats and their crews which worked the coast, the Sundowner Inn is proud to host, along with other local groups, businesses and individuals, the Columbia Coast Mission Centennial Celebration . To be held August 20-22, 2004 in conjunction with the annual Hospital Bay Days, the weekend will also mark the 75th Anniversary of the construction of St. Mary’s Hospital, and the 40th Anniversary of the building being converted to a public inn.

The event will include the “Coast Mission Boat Rendezvous,” a gathering of lovingly restored Missions Boats that will provide a glimpse back into the proud history and lore of the coast. The boats will be moored at the Government Dock in Hospital Bay and several will be open to public tours. On Sunday morning there will be a Blessing of the Boats by the Venerable Ronald Harrison, Administrative Archdeacon for the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster and National Vice President of the Naval Officers Association of Canada. Following this, the Pender Harbour Power and Sail Squadron will escort a Sail Past around Pender Harbour as some of the Mission Boats depart.

Argonaut II
The Argonaut II is one of the restored Mission Boats that will attend the Rendezvous

The weekend festivities will also include:

  • Local authors and historians sharing stories of the past
  • Artisan displays and arts and crafts fair
  • Water performances, activities and entertainment
  • Saturday afternoon BBQ
  • Kids’ carnival
  • Musical performances
  • Saturday night dance
  • Alternative healing arts fair
  • Psychic readings

View the poster here!

For more information or to make hotel reservations for the weekend,
please contact the Sundowner Inn at 1-888-288-8780 or 604-883-9676
or email us at info@sundowner-inn.com.

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Sundowner Inn Hotel & Restaurant
 Box 113 Garden Bay • BC
Canada • V0N 1S0
Tel: 604-883-9676 • Toll Free: 1-888-288-8780 • Fax: 604-883-9886
info@sundowner-inn.com • http://www.sundowner-inn.com