Toad Hollow Photography

One of our prime loves here at The Hollow is our local architecture.  Rich in spirit and character, it reflects the society we’ve created on the island with ties to architectural details found in Europe.  Today finds us taking a look at one of our heritage churches on Vancouver Island, the Qualicum Beach Baptist Church.  Even though it has strong influences from elsewhere, it epitomizes our culture and community and is a wonderful example of the rich tapestry that makes up our society.

Even though little information on the church can be found online, the inherent beauty of this facility is rather striking.  Qualicum Beach is a tiny community near the center of the island (north to south) and in its early days was founded by people working in the logging and mining sectors.  Given the beauty of the ocean and beaches in town, it quickly became a haven for those looking for a resort destination.  Today it is one of the most popular tourist spots on the island, as well as being called home to a large retirement community.

According to the official Town of Qualicum Beach website, “Qualicum” means “Where the Dog Salmon Run” which is a direct reflection of the deeper history to the area that goes back thousands of years with the Coast Salish people who lived and thrived here.

This small but intimate facility is undoubtedly less than 100 years old given the community itself seems to have been established in the early 1900′s.  There are several architectural elements that stand out in this building, including the stonework that comprises parts of the structure as well as the beautiful archway that encircles the entrance.  On the day we were here photographing it was a warm and sunny spring day, and as the day progressed and the shadows lengthened we found they produced the most dramatic lighting and contrasts.

There is just something absolutely special about this door.  The iron hinges and door pulls add a slightly old-world and perhaps even medieval feel to the scene, and the surrounding wood details add some warmth with their tones and beauty you can only find when using wood in construction.

The spire atop the church was another key element that caught our eye this day.  Great textures are exposed here due to the weathering we find on our buildings on Vancouver Island, and the beautiful shapes and lines of the spire itself beguiled us to no end.  This is the pure essence of the character we find here on Vancouver Island.  There are so many places to explore, many of them revealing wonderful secrets to those who have interest.

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