A historic foundation

North Park Manor Society was built on the shoulders of the 15 founding pioneers of First Baptist Church, Victoria, BC, in 1876, the first Baptist congregation in British Columbia. In 1877 the Baptist Chapel and North Star Mission were built on Pandora Avenue.

The following hundred years are full of stories of church members serving their congregation and the city of Victoria. In 1964 the congregation voted to buy property on Quadra Street, between North Park Street and Fisgard Street, to build a new church. The land was more than the church needed, so the building committee began to look at adding low-rental apartments to the property. By 1972 the need was great, and the congregation was ready for the project.

Building low-income housing meant setting up the project as its own society under the Societies Act. Much credit goes to Margaret Salmond, Bob Jupe and Peggy McFadyen, who led the work to secure government grants.

1. 1876 First Baptist Church, Victoria, is founded
2. 1964 The congregation buys land on Quadra Street
3. 1972 North Park Manor Society is established
4. 1976 North Park Manor opens on April 24: 134 bachelor and 24 one-bedroom suites, subsidized through BC Housing
5. 1988 Fisgard House opens on April 30: 52 affordable one-bedroom suites

North Park Manor Society is grateful for the vision and generosity of First Baptist Church. They have made a lasting difference to the city of Victoria and to everyone who has made a home in our buildings.