A tale of the Valemount Church Renovation
January 17, 2025
McBride, BC
Robson Valley Shared Ministry (McBride and Valemount Anglican United Churches) part of the Territory of the People (Anglican) and Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada
It is important to note that the buildings and land of RVSM are owned by the United Church of Canada.
The Valemount Anglican United Church building was built in an A-frame style in the early 60’s. The A-frame style at that time was selected and desirable for sanctuary as it was, and still is symbolic of hands praying and like spires on many, many churches reaching heavenward.
In February 2022, while preparing to do repairs on the pillars of the sanctuary and obtaining a building permit to do the work, the building inspector presented a letter stating, “building ceased to be occupied” until a structural engineer would provide an assessment due to the rot in the pillars.
On March 5, 2022, the Valemount church board met with the engineer who suggested the building not to be repaired. The next day, March 6, the board decided to hold worship, perhaps for the last time in the sanctuary. It was a time of shock, grief and exploration by the church board and congregation. The big question was, ‘What to do next?’ The members of the Valemount church, having experienced what happened during COVID, knew the building was not the ‘church’.
On June 22, 2022, it was decided to sell the manse and thanks to donations, funds were available to renovate the sanctuary.
On February 12, 2023, the Board of Trustees was formed at the Valemount church AGM to take on the work to repair the sanctuary. The decision was made to get quotes from engineers to assess the building.
In May 2023, a quote was received from Noel Engineering firm to assess the building. On June 30, 2023, an agreement was made to hire Noel Engineering.
In February, 2024, an approval in principle from the United Church Pacific Mountain Region was given to go ahead with the renovation.
In March 2024, bids went out to work on the sanctuary (PMR requires a minimum of three bids)
In April 2024, a successful bid by Thomas Jamin Woodworking was accepted. Tom was now our contractor working very closely with engineer, Glen Norlander, who would be our project manager. While working on the repair of the pillars, Tom, the contractor said that it was a miracle that the church, the A-frame building, was standing or that the building hadn’t caved in as the rot was extensive in some of the pillars.
In December 2024, the Valemount church was able to hold the Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary, having been given permission by the building inspector. Tom wasn’t quite finished all the work of the renovation; the clean up was to be done and scaffolding removed, etc. The pews were to be put back in place for the congregation to have worship.
Ida Kohn
McBride, BC