File:Saint Paul's Royal Naval and Garrison Church, looking toward Race Rocks, Esquimalt, British Columbia, between 1893 and 1900 (AL+CA 538).jpg

Caption on image: Esquimalt Church, looking towards Race Rocks PH Coll 1496.5b

St. Paul's appears to be the fourth church consecrated in the diocese on Vancouver Island. Its foundation was mainly due to the enterprise of Paymaster Sidney J. Spark, R.N., of H.M. Shipyard, Esquimalt. In 1865 he took the initial step towards the establishing a church at Esquimalt. His efforts were successful, and a small church was constructed on the south side of the main road at the base of Signal Hill, with a view of the waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait. The site was donated in May, 1866, by the Hon. Donald Fraser, a member of the Legislative Council of Vancouver Island. On August 30th, 1866, the foundation stone of the new church was laid by the Hon. Mrs. Denman. She was wife of the Admiral, the Hon. John Denman. The procession was followed by school children, the architect, builders, churchwardens, officers of ships in the harbour, and many others. The construction was pushed forward under the supervision of the architect, Mr. Thomas Trounce. Early in December the building was completed. Consecration of the Church occurred on December 12, 2:00 pm, 1866. The first Admiralty grant made was the sum of 100 pound sterling in 1866. The grant was made for the intial cost of the building, on a condition that men belonging to H.M. Naval Yard and Navy had certain seats alloted to them. The actual naming of the Church is never mentioned, though in its early years was referred to as the Esquimalt Church. Later it is mentioned as the St. John's Naval and Garrison Church.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Anglican churches--British Columbia--Esquimalt; Islands--British Columbia
• Subjects (LCSH): St. Paul's Naval and Garrison Church; Military churches--British Columbia--Esquimalt; Anglican church buildings--British Columbia--Esquimalt; Wooden churches--British Columbia--Esquimalt; Esquimalt (B.C.)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Race Rocks (B.C.)