Old Church records

Scope and Content: Series consists of meeting minutes, financial records, reports, correspondence, promotional material, concept art, architectural and technical drawings, and a photo album relating to the renovation, reopening, and usage of the Old Church and its Garden in the early 2000s.

History / Biographical: St. James’ Anglican Church was constructed in 1913 and served as a spiritual and community center for the town of Smithers for over 60 years. It fell into disrepair after the parish of St. James moved to a new building on Princess Street in 1975. Beginning in the early 2000s, a dedicated and dynamic group of volunteers worked to renovate and reopen the Old Church as a community hall. This vision was realized in 2005, with a public garden opening beside the Church the following year. Administered and maintained by the Bulkley Valley Museum, the revitalized Old Church remains a popular venue for weddings, lectures, parties, meetings, concerts, and performances.

Custodial History: All items were transferred from the Bulkley Valley Museum's internal files into the OF1 fonds, except for the card from 2021.15, which was donated with BV Community Arts Council records in May 2021 and then transferred to this fonds.

Scope and Content: Series consists of meeting minutes, financial records, reports, correspondence, promotional material, concept art, architectural and technical drawings, and a photo album relating to the renovation, reopening, and usage of the Old Church and its Garden in the early 2000s.

Arrangement: The Series is divided into seven Files: - F1) Bulkley Valley Museum-related material (meeting minutes, correspondence, etc.) - F2) Financials - F3) Reports - F4) Promotional Material - F5) Drawings - F6) Old Church garden - F7) Photographs