Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
The below information comes off a information sign on site.
St. James Anglican Church was the first frame building erected in Smithers. In March 1913, a Vestry Committee was formed here with the intention of raising funds for an Anglican Church, Subsequently, a subscription list was started and in early June, Mr. A. W. Smithers, chairman of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company and in whose honour the town was to be named, gave the first subscription of $250.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
Two lots were secured on 1st Avenue by paying $110 down on a full price of $1,100 and architect and builder L. Schuller was given a contract to build the church at a price of $1,501.
Money was difficult to raise in the days just before the First World war, so it was with great relief that Bishop Frederick DuVernet, 2nd Anglican Bishop of Caledonia, accepted a $300 donation from a Mrs. Plumptre of the St. James’ Women's Auxiliary, Toronto, agreeing that the new church be called “St. James’, provided that the newly appointed parson, Rev Kingstone, agreed.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
Although not quite complete at the time, St. James’ held its first on 7th December, 1913, an Evensong service led by Rev.Kingstone. The church register shows that this was attended by 25 people and a collection of $5.80 was taken.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
The register also show that Bishop Duvernet led the service on 5th July, 1914, attended by 22 people, and this may well be when the church was consecrated. No other record of the church having been consecrated exits.
On 2nd February, 1914, shortly after the church opened, Smithers’ first marriage ceremony was conducted here, uniting Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Hann.
By 1917 the church was already too small, prompting the addition of 12 feet to the east end of the church to form a Chancel. Sometime later, but prior to 1942, a 15 feet by 9 feet vestry was added. Subsequently, the original bell tower was removed as it was judged unsafe to support the bell. A new bell tower was placed on the ridge of the roof. The second bell tower was saved during the reconstruction and sits atop the structure.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
St. James’ church served Smithers continuously for 60 years, but by 1974 it had become too small for an expanding congregation. St. James’ hall, a separate building a few lots north (now demolished) was also beginning to show signs of age with a structurally unsound floor.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
Even as St. James’ celebrated its 60th anniversary, a bold new venture was taking shape across town on Princess Street; the replacement of St. James’ Church with a multi-purpose, seven-day-a-week community centre that would house Worship Centre, Daycare facilities, Community Hall, kitchen, thrift shop and offices. As a fitting link between the old St.. James’ and the new, the stained glass window and various appointments were incorporated into a small chapel at the centre, creating a replica in miniature of the old church.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
This was dedicated on 20th April, 1975, as the Fred Fowler Memorial Chapel, after the much beloved Lay Reader and Sunday school superintendent of 32 years. The design of the centre envisaged the addition of a separate church building at a later date. This new Anglican church of St. James’ was dedicated on May 6th, 1989 by Bishop John Hannen.
To help finance the new venture it was necessary for the congregation to sell the old church. As neither the town nor the province wanted it at the time, it was bought by a local businessman and used as a furniture store.
Above Photo: 1913 The Old Church Smithers, British Columbia.
Subsequently, it changed hands a number of times and has been used variously to store: hardware (Marshall Wells), stationery supplies (Interior Stationary) and sports equipment (Sports Advantage). Roof leaks eventually made the building unsuitable even as a storage warehouse and it fell into disrepair.
This facility is operated by the Bulkley Valley Historical and Museum Society
The Old Church (Bulkley Valley Museum)
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