A historic North Okanagan church has withstood the test of time, and has been a treasured gathering place in its community for a full century.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lumby celebrated its 100th anniversary in October 2023 with a mass and special dinner. Bishop Joseph Nguyen attended from Kamloops, along with visiting priests Father Swann Kim, Father Peter Nguyen and Deacon Paul Murphy.
As resident Irena McDonald explains, the church was brimming with parishioners and guests at the dinner recognizing the storied building’s history.
McDonald chronicles the many transformations the church has gone through over the years.
The first Catholic church in Lumby was built in 1892 where the Lumby cemetery stands today. Pierre (Peter) Bessette donated the land to build the church, where there was also a small school along with the cemetery.
By 1917 this site was found to be too small, too far away from town and too dry, so another location was found for the Sacred Heart Church. Father Carroll traded two lots on Shuswap Avenue with Jim McAllister who owned two lots on Park Avenue, and work commenced on the church that now stands at 2202 Park Avenue.
The basement was used as a church before the structure was even finished. The first baby baptized there was Jean Mary Hepburn.
Lumber donated by the Gallon family provided the floor above the basement. More lumber was donated by the Quesnels, LeFrancois, LeBlancs, Bourcets, Legers and many others. All of the work was done by volunteer labour.
The next priest to come to Lumby, Father Smith, was responsible for the building of the parish hall and rectory. As well, the Stations of the Cross and a carved altar were added to the church.
From 1962 to 1965, the church was remodelled under Father Frank and completed under Father Malone. The sanctuary was enlarged, carpeting was installed and the altar was set so that the priest could face the congregation. The tabernacle was given to the church in memory of Louis Bourcet’s family. A new, larger and more convenient kitchen was installed in the hall.
In 1991, the windows in the church were replaced with stunning stained glass, created with money donated by various parish families. Two years later, a new side altar was installed in memory of Rita Gook Haworth.
In 1994, the church was raised and the entire foundation was replaced, making the church 18 inches higher. Three new classrooms gave the parish good meeting facilities and an education centre.
In 2023, under Father Thomas Arackal’s direction, interior renovations include new flooring, tiles and tempered glass up in the balcony. The front stairs have been renewed, and fresh coats of paint have been applied inside and outside the church.
“In an age where the past is often forgotten, our little church has withstood the test of time, and we are happy and thankful that the Sacred Heart still stands,” said church member Kathleen Elliman.
“Over the century, many people have passed through its doors, enjoying its beauty and tranquility. The high ceilings, the Gothic shaped windows and tall sweeping arches suggesting the churches of the past create an atmosphere of reverence and awe that goes back centuries.”
The church could not function without its parishioners. Although it’s a small parish, it’s the people that are the pulse that keeps the church alive. Some parishioners have been a part of the church for more than 80 years.
Sacred Heart Church is a special gathering space, a place where people pray together, work together, socialize and connect with those who need support. Its members are proud to have the little church serve the community of Lumby.
Here’s to another 100 years.
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