PENTICTON — A 105-year-old church on the Penticton Indian Reserve is likely one of the oldest churches in the south Okanagan.
It’s in desperate need of a makeover, but more importantly, it needs more attendees.
The church group plans to meet both objectives by applying for a heritage status.
“Even though church attendance has dwindled in the past few decades, it is still a major part of our history and for that we wanted to preserve that,” says Adam Eneas.
On the outside, it looks like an ordinary church. But take a step inside and the blend of traditional Catholic and First Nations art is evident.
Some of the stain glass windows have pictograph drawings and the Stations of the Cross are painted on buck skin.
The church used to be the epicenter of activity in the community, hosting gatherings for various events and holidays.
But these days, it doesn’t play a significant role in everyday life.
Vera Gabriel says attendance is low with fewer than 20 people at each service.
Gabriel believes the infrequent services, once each month, is the reason why people don’t make it a habit to attend church.
So service has been increased to each Sunday.
Gabriel says another reason for the low attendance is the tumultuous relationship between the Catholic Church and First Nations.
“I grew up in a residential school and a lot of us will use that as an excuse to breakaway because of the anger,” says Gabriel.
She says she felt lost during the five years she stopped going to church, so she came back.
Now with her faith restored, Gabriel and the rest of the church group would like to see the church upgraded and have it filled with people once again.
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