Places of Worship in the Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys

David M. Kelly is a teaching assistant at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

The growth of the various denominations in Canada should be of interest
to every informed church-affiliated reader. Places of Worship, an
outstanding contribution to this worthwhile study, traces the rise and
development of the various houses of worship, from Native
“Bighouses” to the latest Congregationalist building in 1989. Mackay
covers an immense range of denominations, including Baha’i, Japanese
Buddhism, and Sikhism. I doubt that a single shrine has escaped her
attention.

Admittedly, the book is limited to a “regional” history of church
development, and its descriptions of each congregation are general and
brief—but its wide ecumenical scope more than makes up for these
limitations. Furthermore, Mackay’s style is both candid and to the
point—a refreshing change from church historians who describe every
event in terms of an apocalyptic battle between the forces of heaven and
hell.

The photographs accompanying this excellent study are also commendable,
especially in view of the fact that many were taken early in the
century. Obviously a tremendous amount of research went into this fine
endeavor. The book should prove of sizable interest to those of an
ecumenical inclination.