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According to the records from the
Cumberland Museum and Archives, the first Serbian immigrants arrived in Vancouver
in 19th century. Most of the early Serbian immigrants came from
mountainous regions of the Balkans, like Lika, Dalmatia, Herzegovina and
Montenegro.
In the early 1940s, they purchased land on East Hastings Street, and were
planning to build a church. However the start of the Second World War
forced them to change their plans. Given the tragic developments facing
Serbs back home, it was more important to help fellow Serbs, so building
the church had to wait.
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It is in those difficult days that the first
Serbian benevolent organization was formed. To help with collections and
donations, Kosovka Devojka The Circle of Serbian Sisters, a ladies
Auxiliary, was formed in 1944.
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Ever since, members of this benevolent organization have made
a great contribution to the church and community in general, and
particularly to those in need. In 1947, as a result of joint efforts of the
Serbs from Seattle and Vancouver, a community hall named "Blue
Danube" was opened. In 1953, the Parish Council "Executive
Board" of what is today St. Archangel Michael Church was formed.
Shortly after, in 1957, "Blue Danube" changed its status and
became
St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church.
In the years to follow, along with the church, a number of Serbian
organizations were established, such as the White Eagles Serbian soccer
team, Mlada Srbadija Folk Dance group, etc. Over time the congregation
grew, and this growth created a need for a larger facility. This was
particularly true since the early 1990s, when a large influx of Serbs came
to Canada from the exYugoslavia. It is estimated that about 15,000-20,000
Serbs live in British Columbia today.
In the early 1990s, the church purchased the land where the building is
located today. The municipal building permit was obtained on March 1, 2002;
the construction began on March 4, 2002, with consecration of the church
and opening of the Serbian Centre taking place on March 5, 2005.
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