44

Group coming out of Benvoulin United Church during the 40th anniversary celebration
September 1932
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Reid Family Collection (Allen Reid)
Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952

45

Newspaper article on Benvoulin United Church's 45th anniversary celebration in 1937
18 February 1978
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives
Kelowna Daily Courier

46

Benvoulin United Church's 50th anniversary program
27 September 1942
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society (COHS) Fonds
Kelowna Public Archives

47

Children in front of Benvoulin United Church after Easter service in 1951
April 1951
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Reid Family Collection (Allen Reid)
Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952

48

Congregation in front of Benvoulin United Church after Easter service in 1951
April 1951
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Peterman Family Collection (Doug Arthur)

49

Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952
1952
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Reid Family Collection (Allen Reid)

50

Congregation inside the Benvoulin United Church during the 60th anniversary celebration
14 September 1952
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952
Reid Family Collection (Allen Reid)

51

Benvoulin United Church's 60th anniversary celebration
14 September 1952
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952
Reid Family collection (Allen Reid)

52

Benvoulin Church's 60th anniversary article
September 1952
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952
Reid Family Collection (Allen Reid)

53

On Sunday, September 16, 1962 special anniversary services were held at the Benvoulin United Church to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the church. There was a morning and evening service lead by Reverend Mundy, the last minister to serve the church. Attending both services were special guests, Mrs. J. L. Zoller and Miss Kate Langill, who are Reverend Langill's daughters. Reverend Langill was the first minister at Bethel Presbyterian Church.

There were a number of appeals by the church trustees to reach out to the community for support and financial help for the church, as its congregation was shrinking in size. The following quote is one of these appeals to the public by Wilbur Reid soon after the 70th Anniversary celebration.

"Celebrated its 70th anniversary on September 16. Travelling here for the occasion were Miss Jo Langill and Mrs. J. L. Zoller, daughters of the first minister, Rev. Paul F. Langill. Descendants of the original congregation were amongst those at the service, and it is probable that other descendants will attend other anniversaries in future years. However, the Church is in urgent need of repair, and it is expected that sympathetic old-timers, conscious of the influence exerted by the Church, and wishing to contribute funds for its preservation, will send such help to Wilbur Reid, DeHart Road, R.R. 4, Kelowna."

54

Benvoulin United Church's 70th anniversary program
16 September 1962
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

55

Group in front of Benvoulin United Church during the church's 70th anniversary celebration
16 September 1962
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Reid Family Collection (Allen Reid)
Benvoulin United Church Memory Book 1892-1952

56

On April 20, 1964, just two years after the 70th Anniversary celebration, the church was closed for a year and the congregation was to go to Rutland. The year never ended. In 1964 due to a shifting population in the Benvoulin area, resulting in a diminishing church roll, the decision was made to join Rutland United Church and so regular religious services at Benvoulin ceased. Wilbur Reid and his brother George, as well as Oliver McFarlane remained as the trustees of the building. Two services were held a year for the first two years to keep the church open. In 1966, the church was rented to a congregation of the Church of God, who built their own church about four or five years later. At that time the church was left unlocked and the organ was stolen (later recovered by the police) and the building vandalized. The church and hall were soon rented as the Beth-Shalom Coffee House (inter-denominational youth coffee house) at a cost of $45.00 per month. The youth centre, an outreach centre for young people, and coffeehouse operated until 1976.

On September 11, 1977, the 85th Anniversary of the church was celebrated with an open house sponsored by the Trustees and Presbytery Supervisor. Due to the state of the building, there were no public services between 1978 and 1981. By the early 1980s, time, the elements and the lack of funds for major repair brought the building to a very sad state and demolition was being contemplated for safety reasons.

57

Benvoulin United Church 85th anniversary article
11 September 1977
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds