BEPPLE – Final service at historic St. George’s Anglican was bittersweet

AFTER 96 YEARS, on this last Wednesday, the final service was held at the St. George’s Anglican Church on the North Shore. It has served the neighborhood and city at large since it was built in 1927. Now its congregation has closed the doors one last time.

The church served the community in many ways. After World War II, when about 1,700 people of Japanese descent came to North Kamloops. St. George’s offered Japanese language services for many years. More recently, Kamloops Street School was held in the church basement for many years.

But on Wednesday, after nearly 100 years, the last service was held.

Over the years, the congregation’s numbers dwindled. COVID was especially difficult, and with an aging and diminishing congregation, the decision was made to close the doors for good.

The service was bittersweet.

At the start of service, a toddler was baptised, bringing a joyful spirit to everyone who was present. But as the traditional Anglican service continued, there was an air of melancholy. Some had attended the church almost their entire lives. Others, like me, had only attended a few services there. The Wednesday service brought back memories of my uncle’s funeral held there over a decade ago.

The church was filled to capacity for the last service. The congregation was joined by the friends and family of the baptised toddler, as well as members of other local churches there to pay tribute to the church that has served North Kamloops for so many years.

The church provided an opportunity for so many to build community. Whether it was forcibly relocated Japanese-Canadians, or people restarting their education after dropping out of school. Whether it was families with toddlers, or people in their 90’s. St. George’s has provided a place on the North Shore for different people to connect and be part of community.

What struck me most about the Wednesday night service was how interconnected everyone was. I didn’t know everyone at the service, but during the tea after the service, a short conversation usually established a mutual friend or acquaintance. St. George’s helped strengthen Kamloops by helping build community, especially the North Shore, for decade upon decade.

Future plans for the church building, which is in excellent shape for almost 100 years old, are not known. But there are many who would like to preserve it, including the Kamloops Heritage Society, the group who helped save St. Andrews on the Square. Contact them at kamloopsheritagesociety@gmail.com for more information.

Nancy Bepple is a Kamloops City councillor with a strong interest in community building projects.