On 14 December 1863, the Apostolic Vicariate of British Columbia was erected on territory split off from the Diocese of Vancouver Island.

A French priest, by the name Louis-Joseph D'Herbomez, from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, became the first Vicar Apostolic of the newly formed territory.

Another Oblate of Mary Immaculate French Bishop, Pierre-Paul Durieu, took over the responsibilities and served the community until his death in 1899.

Another French Bishop, Augustin Dontenwill, took governance of the Diocese of New Westminster in 1899 and served the community until he resigned, to become the Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in 1908.

A German-born bishop, Bertram Orth, was appointed archbishop in 1903 and led the Archdiocese of Victoria and its suffrages until he resigned in 1908.

In 1914, what is now called World War I broke out, and Archbishop Casey had to battle hard financial times for the archdiocese.

In his 32 years of service to his community, Archbishop Duke had to deal with the Great Depression of the Dirty Thirties and later World War II.

The synod's aim was to bring the Church of Vancouver into the 21st century, from the “maintenance” mode it was in to more of a mission-driven model, as former archbishop emeritus Adam Exner, OMI, put it.

[11] Their vision is focused on intentionally helping people experience God's merciful love through four key ways: Making Every Sunday Matter, Getting Closer to Jesus, Strengthening Marriages and Families, and Developing Parish Leadership and Support.

[12] In 2013, the Archdiocese of Vancouver issued an Expression of Apology and Hope to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada over its role in implementing the Canadian government's residential schools system.

The TRC approved of the submission made by the Archdiocese, and Archbishop Michael Miller addressed the Commission in September 2013 at the Pacific Coliseum.

[14] In June 2015, the Archdiocese repeated its "sincere and heartfert apology for the role that the Church played in the federal government's policy which involved foribly separating children from their families and placing them in residential schools".

[15] In June 2021, the Archdiocese issued a formal apology to First Nations over its role in the genocidal residential schools system, with Archbishop J. Michael Miller stating that "the Church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities.

"[16] Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Vancouver have worked with local Indigenous leaders to build bridges to a deeper understanding of history and a clearer path towards reconciliation.

Following the TRC Calls to Action, Points 61.1 to 61.5, the Archdiocese of Vancouver is involved in projects honouring Indigenous art, music, and language preservation and revitalization, and looks forward to more opportunities to create understanding, empathy, and respect.

[17] In February 2022, the Archdiocese of Vancouver pledged $2.5 million over five years to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, which seeks to support projects that are determined locally, in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners.

[18] Funds will be focused on projects and programs that respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action #60, 61, and 73–76, which called for healing and reconciliation for communities and families, survivor-directed work related to cemetery sites of former residential schools, and language, culture, education, and community support.

[18] In the fall of 2018 following the disclosure of global sexual abuse by clergy and on the advice and prompting of some victim-survivors as well as many others searching for justice, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, appointed a Committee to conduct a file review of historical cases of sexual abuse by clergy who served or resided in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”" (RSV)Below is a list of individuals who have led the Archdiocese of Vancouver and its antecedent jurisdictions since its founding.

It no long has direct control of these facilities as they are governed by a board of directors, the Congregation of Sisters & Providence Senior Leadership Team.

Providence Health Care is presently developing the Legacy Project, which is to renew St. Paul's Hospital into a state-of-the-art research and teaching facility.