St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church

After World War II, the Serbs of Vancouver and Seattle began the construction of their first centre on Hastings Street. "The Blue Danube" (as it later came to be called) was completed in 1947. From 1947 on, the Serb population steadily grew due to an exodus of political refugees fleeing from communist rule in Yugoslavia. The increased need for Orthodoxy resulted in the formation of the Parish Council of St. Archangel Michael in 1953. Shortly thereafter, a chapel dedicated to St. Archangel Michael was blessed by his Grace Bishop Dionisije in 1955, with the Blue Danube officially changing its status to become St. Archangel Michael's Serbian Orthodox Church in 1957.

As the flock grew, so did the need for a larger facility. This was particularly true after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, when a large influx of Serbs immigrated to Canada. The church purchased the land where the building is located today in the early 1990's, with construction commencing on March 4, 2002. The church was blessed by his Grace Bishop Longin and Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije on March 5, 2005, thus officially opening the church to the public. Today, St. Archangel Michael's Serbian Orthodox Church continues to be a major hub of Serbian activity and a second home to some 20,000 Serbs currently residing in Metro Vancouver.