The Okanagan Falls United Church began its life as a Presbyterian Church in the mining community of Fairview. When the town’s fortunes declined, the church was not being used. The Okanagan Falls congregation and their minister decided in 1929 to dismantle the church and bring it to their community. It is the “dismantling” part of the church lore that is shared as a great story, and that named a winery.
The practice in those days was to board over the windows and seal the doors of a building in which a stick of dynamite was suspended. The resulting force loosened all the nails so that removal of the boards was accomplished more easily and with less damage to the wood. The material was then brought to Okanagan Falls, reassembled, and the church was reopened with a dedication service on January 19, 1930, with Reverend Feir officiating.
It was an interdenominational church for several years. Many of the furnishings and stained glass windows are dedicated from and to the pioneers of the area. The pews (see picture) were originally made circa 1902 for use in Elliott’s Hall in Fairview, and were in place for the visit of the poet Pauline Johnson. They were sawed by hand, the bench from one solid piece of lumber, and the backs of two pieces. When Elliott’s Hall closed, the pews were given to the church in Fairview, and subsequently came to Okanagan Falls. They are still in use.
This lovely old country church at the corner of Willow Street and 11th Avenue has served its communities well in the past, and continues to do so today. Please come and participate with the congregation in the continuing adventure and evolution of the “blasted church.”
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News
The Vintage Voices will be holding a Fundraising Concert on Wednesday May 8 at 7 PM at the Okanagan Falls United Church, 1108 Willow Street in Okanagan Falls. The Vintage Voices will return by popular demand and will be singing “SONGS of LOVE”. Tickets are available at the door or by phoning 250 460-2560 or 250 497-1171. Tickets are $15 and additional donations to the Building Fund for our recent Church Upgrades will also be accepted. Donations can be made at the church or by e-transfer to
ok.falls.uc@gmail.com
Please include your name and address if you wish a tax receipt for your donation. Refreshments and goodies to follow the performance
If you are on a social media platform please post a link to this site.
Be sure to tell all your friends, neighbours and acquaintances. Let’s fill the church so there is standing room only.
Songs will include:
Song of Love “Chanson D’amour” – by W Shanklin
Magic Moments
The Great Pretender – by Buck Ram
Only You – by Buck Ram
Sweet Caroline – by Neil Diamond
San Antonio Rose
Tennessee Waltz – by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King
The Vintage Voices will be holding a Fundraising Concert on Wednesday May 8 at 7 PM at the Okanagan Falls United Church, 1108 Willow Street in Okanagan Falls. The Vintage Voices will return by popular demand and will be singing “SONGS of LOVE”. Tickets are available at the door or by phoning 250 460-2560 or …
Exciting news for Okanagan Falls United Church. We have applied for a Faithful Footprints grant and it has been approved. We have also applied for a United Church of Canada Modernization and Improvement grant and it was approved a few days ago. We have ordered a Rinnai I120CN boiler The new unit will be wall …
We have an author in our midst, our very own Kerry Mewhort is the author of a new book. The book is called: Why me? From Pain to Joy: God’s Power in My Life by Katrina Servant To order the book you can contact the author here. Here is a link so you can order …
If you wish to make a donation to our church you can e-transfer to the email address above. Please include your name and address in the comments section of the e-transfer if you wish a tax receipt.
