14

TThe original plans for the church were too ambitious for the small congregation. These were discussed at the Feb. 13th, 1892 planning meeting and were reduced by the planning committee. W.D. Hobson describes the meeting in his diary.

15

Robert Hobson's reading from his grandfather's diary
December 2011
Benvoulin United Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Robert Hobson
Hobson Family Collection (Robert Hobson)
Lorri Dauncey (videographer)

16

The plans were loosely modelled on the Crathie Parish Church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is thought that the Aberdeen's influence can be seen in the choice of design, roughly based upon the pattern of the Crathie Kirk, near their ancestral home in Scotland. Plans and specifications were drawn up by Howard Dell, a local orchardist. ("Ogopogo's Vigil", F.M. Buckland, 1979, p.79)

The design of the building included four vaulted arches and a tower on the north side. The wood-framed and wood-sided building is representative of a Gothic revival church - sometimes called 'Carpenter Gothic' with its steep cross-gabled roofs, cruciform plan, prominent bell-tower and pointed-arched windows. The original pews were to be arranged in rows following the arc of a circle and would face the pulpit which sits on the east side on a raised dais.

17

Booklet cover of Crathie Parish Church in Scotland
Circa 1980s-1990s
Crathie, Scotland

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

18

William Henry (Harry) Raymer, newly arrived in the area, was the contractor awarded with the construction of the Presbyterian Church. Raymer would go on to construct many of the early buildings in Kelowna. He would become Kelowna's first mayor in 1905, and served the community in many different capacities.

Construction of the new church began in the spring of 1892. The lumber was cut locally at the Lequime mill. The building of the steep peaks and the tower was a challenge with only blocks and tackles, horses and manpower available to the early builders.

19

Portrait of William Henry (Harry) Raymer
Circa 1905
Kelowna, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives #3282

20

Kelowna business advertisements in the Kelowna Opera House
Circa 1909
Kelowna, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives #902

21

Construction of the new church began in the spring of 1892. The lumber was cut locally at the Lequime mill. The building of the steep peaks and the tower was a challenge with only blocks and tackles, horses and manpower available to the early builders.

22

Portrait of Bernard Lequime
Circa 1890s
Kelowna, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives #95

23

Vernon News "Okanagan Saw Mill Co." advertisement
June 1892
Okanagan Mission, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives

24

The church was built using a frame construction. Locally milled ship-lap lumber was used as exterior siding, installed using forged square nails. The four matching Gothic-styled windows were originally made of clear glass. It was noted that the windows were originally painted white to diffuse the light. Wood stoves provided heat. A half-door covered with felt separated the vestibule and church preventing the draft from affecting the fire. This would allow the door to be left open as a sign of welcome. Oil lamps hung from the domed ceiling. The semicircular pews faced the pulpit which sat on a raised dais on the east side of the building. The construction costs were about $1,500, significantly more than the originally projected $1,000. It was noted that with seating and heating, added shortly after, the cost was $1,575. ("Benvoulin Townsite, Original Town Centre", Dorothy Zoellner, 1997)

25

Earliest photograph of Bethel Presbyterian Church
Circa 1914-1920
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives #5606
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

26

Interior of Bethel Presbyterian Church looking towards the east window and pulpit
Circa 1914
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds
George Weeks (photographer)

27

Interior of Bethel Presbyterian Church looking towards the north window
Circa 1914
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okangan Heritage Society Fonds
George Weeks (photographer)