Jemima Maria Murchie House

This quaint 1927 bungalow was home to city pioneer Jemima Maria Murchie. Known as maria, she was the daughter of David Murchie, who owned and operatd Murchie aned Sons Funeral Parlours, which was located on Sixth Street, near Columbia. This business was the beginnings of the Murchie family's many businesses which continued to grow to become the famous Murchie Tea and Coffee Company.

mmaria Murchie lived in the city for 84 years and died at age 97 in 1964. In 1927, when she was 60, she purchased this new home and lived here until she needed care. Ms. Murchie moved just across the lane to the beautiful house at 731 Queens  Avenue, which had been converted to a nursing home, where she later passed away.

This home features characteristics of the late-Craftsman style such as exposed beam ends and triangular braces under the roof line of the front gable and dormer. When the house was originally built it had an unobstructed view of the Fraser River. Now, after decades of development, the view is much different. One can imagine Maria sitting on the porch on a summer evening (where the sunroom is now), enjoying the views.

As you enter the house you are struck by the bright and airy feel to this cozy home. The house was built in such a away to capture the natural light. this is a house that invites yo to sit, relax and visit.

The owners have taken time to make thoughtful choices in selecting paint colours that complement each room.

The home i largely true to its original plan with only two major modifications - enclosing the sunroom and reconfiguring the kitchen. The design is a solid example of the 1920s and 30s modest bungalows with cross-hall plans that often included one or two bedrooms on the main floor and two up.

The living room features the original brick fireplace and mantle framed by matching bookcases - very typical of that period. The woodwork in this home ws mostly left unpainted and the current owners are in the process of stripping woodwork that was painted. The kitchen and pantry area reflect the needs of a modern familly with its large eating space overlooking the backyard and the neighbouring homes which include the lovely gardens of the Hainsworth House across the lane (on tour in 2006). Note the stained-glass in the kithen was reproduced to match the windows in the living room and den.

The enclosed staircase off the front hall leads to two spacious bedrooms. (Note the original bevelled glass on the staircase door.) Each bedroom has very spacious closets which extend under the roof line. The bathroom is a nice blend of old and new and displays a create use of function and space.

by Kathleen Langstroth.