HANCOCK, Arthur Charles (1853-1932), active in the British Columbia interior from 1891 until his death in 1932. Born in St. Agnes, Co. Cornwall, England on 5 September 1853, he emigrated to Canada in 1891 and settled near Golden, B.C. His name is associated with the design of a new Episcopal Church in Windermere, B.C. in 1900. This church may be St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Victoria Avenue at Kootenay Street, Windermere, sometimes referred to as “the Stolen Church” because the structure was disassembled in Donald, B.C. and reassembled in Windermere. In 1900 Hancock was described as “an experienced architect” who prepared plans for this church which “…will present a very picturesque and striking appearance” (Golder Era [Golden, B.C.], 13 April 1900, 4).
His name as an architect appears in provincial directories at Windermere, B.C. in 1902 to 1906 (British Columbia Directory, 1902, p. 1010) , but after 1921 he was living and working in Revelstoke. Hancock died at Kamloops, B.C. on 8 October 1932 (British Columbia, Death Certificate No. 44985, dated 11 Oct. 1932). This document described Hancock as a “retired architect”.
WINDERMERE, B.C., The Windermere Hotel, 1899-1900 (Golden Era [Golden, B.C.], 13 April 1900, 4)
WINDERMERE, B.C., a new Episcopal Church, 1900; likely St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 1900, still standing 2016 and also called “The Stolen Church” (Golden Era [Golden, B.C.], 13 April 1900, 4)