The Wildflower Church
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Vancouver Island
There’s a magical little place on Vancouver Island where wildflowers bloom each year. Come with me and I’ll tell you all about it....
Drifts of delicate fawn lilies everywhere
The village of Metchosin is, strictly speaking, part of the Greater Victoria region. However, even though it’s a short drive from downtown, it has managed to keep its rural character and small community vibe.
And in the heart of the village you’ll find the picturesque Church of St. Mary the Virgin.
A Short History of St Mary’s Church
This modest wooden sanctuary has a surprisingly rich story to tell. Built in 1873, it’s the third oldest Anglican church still in use on Vancouver Island.
The land the church stands on was generously donated by a local farmer named John Witty. The building itself was made possible through community effort, with none other than Sir James Douglas (often called the Father of British Columbia) topping the donor list with $100. By July 1874, the little church and its furnishings had cost $1,500.50 - a significant sum at the time.
The foundation stone was laid on July 24, 1873 and just a few months later, on October 22, the church was officially consecrated.
Sadly, only days before the consecration of the church, John Witty passed away. He became the first person to be buried in the churchyard.
In the years that followed, the churchyard became a place of both reverence and remembrance. It was fenced in and consecrated as a cemetery during the Harvest Festival of 1876 - marked by the first ringing of the church bell, which still sounds for service today.
Join me for a stroll through the wildflowers…
Spring Blooms in the Churchyard
In early spring, the churchyard at St. Mary the Virgin becomes a quiet spectacle of wild beauty. Among the mossy stones and timeworn graves, delicate white fawn lilies unfurl like woodland stars - one of the first signs that the land is waking up after winter. Their elegant, nodding blooms carpet the ground in soft drifts, dancing in the breeze beneath the shade of Garry oaks and evergreens. It's a fleeting display, lasting only a few weeks, but one that transforms the cemetery into a place of unexpected enchantment.
Daffodils nod their heads, grape hyacinths and bluebells create pops of purple and native wildflowers return to the meadow-like churchyard. There’s also the occasional burst of camas or buttercup. It’s easy to see why early settlers might have chosen this spot as sacred ground - the air feels hushed and the trees seem older than time. Here, among the quiet resting places of Metchosin’s earliest families, the wildflowers whisper of renewal, memory, and the deep-rooted rhythms of the land.
You’re likely to see some of the local inhabitants hopping around too….
Best time to visit St Mary’s Church
The best time to see the wildflowers bloom is around mid-April
Plan your visit to Metchosin
Metchosin is a 30 minute drive from downtown Victoria. Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N to Burnside Rd W in View Royal. Take exit 10 onto the Old Island Highway. This eventually becomes Sooke Road. Watch for signposts to Metchosin and turn left onto Metchosin Road.
You’ll see the church on the right hand side of the road. There’s street parking available.
Entry is free. Just step through the lovely iron gate into the serenity.
The churchyard is open to all visitors.
Where to eat, or just grab a coffee
After you’ve finished photographing wildflowers from every angle, head over to My Chosen Cafe – a local favourite. It’s open every day except Monday. They offer delicious home-style cooking in an inviting country atmosphere. And if you have a sweet tooth be sure to drop in to the Sugar Shack nearby.
What else can you do nearby?
Visit Witty’s Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls – there are some lovely hiking trails here
Rather than return directly to Victoria, continue along Kangaroo Road which eventually joins Sooke Road. Turn left and head into the community of Sooke. If you enjoy hunting wildflowers, head to the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. This gorgeous park has some lovely hiking trails along the river and you can find wildflowers blooming in sunny spots among the rocks, particularly along the Riverside Trail.
On your way to Metchosin, you’ll go past Hatley Castle Gardens - be sure to stop there for a visit while you’re on Victoria’s Westshore. Read more about Hatley Castle Gardens.
Sitting Lady Falls on the left and Sooke Potholes Provincial Park on the right. Both are well worth a visit! Especially if you love waterfalls and walking through the gorgeous west coast forest.
If you find yourself in Victoria in April, be sure to visit this pretty little church surrounded by wildflowers. Its a peaceful spot to wander and enjoy the delicate beauty of the fawn lilies. I can’t imagine a more peaceful - or beautiful - spot to be laid to rest.