Charles Spring

Charles Spring was born February 1860 in New Westminster. Charles went to the Collegiate and James Bay schools in Victoria and after a brief period as a carpenter became involved in Victoria's sealing industry like his father, Captain William Spring. Like his father, he found success in the sealing industry eventually owning three vessels: the Favourite, the Kate and the Onward. Unfortunately for Spring, in 1887 the American authorities seized the Onward in the Bering Sea resulting in a loss of $12,000 of assets.(1)

The sealing industry at this time was very prosperous and a voyage could gross $11,000 and net a 40% return. (2) Charles devoted time to St. Andrew's to help bring the church into the Presbyterian Church of Canada. He worked closely with John RobsonJohn Robson was a highly active, early member of St Andrew's and later Premier of BC, John Finlayson, James HutchesonJames Hutcheson was an unambitious member of St Andrew's and owner of a drygoods store., Henry HeistermanHenry Heisterman was a reluctant member of Canadian Confederation and thus of St Andrew's as well., Alexander Gray, Robert McMickingRobert McMicking was a pioneer in the field of telecommunications, and Donald MacLean to achieve this goal.(3) Despite such involvement and the fact that he was elected to the church's board of members, he left the church in 1890 when he had married a Roman Catholic woman.

(1) Captain Alex MacLean: Jack London's Sea WolfDon MacGillivary, Captain Alex MacLean: Jack London's Sea Wolf, UBC Press, 2008., 25-26, The Kirk That Faith BuiltThe Kirk That Faith Built: St. Andrew's on Douglas Street, 1890-1990. Published by the Session of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Morriss Printing Company, Victoria, 1989. , Kirk 56-7
(2) Captain Alex MacLean: Jack London's Sea WolfDon MacGillivary, Captain Alex MacLean: Jack London's Sea Wolf, UBC Press, 2008., 25-26
(3) The Kirk That Faith BuiltThe Kirk That Faith Built: St. Andrew's on Douglas Street, 1890-1990. Published by the Session of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Morriss Printing Company, Victoria, 1989. , 56-7