HOME
Church in Anaham rises from the ashes
BY SAGE BIRCHWATER

A vision of the future

The new church replaces the church that burned down a couple of years ago at Tl’etinqox (Anaham) Reserve in British Columbia. It features framed walls between the posts and three hanging trusses over the sanctuary which allow for a wide open, uncluttered space. Since fire destroyed Sacred Heart church in the Chilcotin community of Tl’etinqox (Anaham) in December 2006, church services have been held in the school gymnasium. That will change once the brand new 6,802square-foot, log post-and-beam church is opened later this year.

Work on the new church began in December 2008, in the log yards of Pioneer Log Homes of Williams Lake. It was an ambitious project initiated by former Tl’etinqox chief Gerald Johnny.

Pioneer Log Homes is known for its excellent workmanship, but few of the company’s log structures remain in the local area. Instead, they are shipped to customers around the world.

But when Pioneer owners André Chevigny and Brian Reid were approached to build the new church, they jumped at the chance. “It’s our first church,” says Chevigny. “I’ve always wanted to build a church, and when this opportunity came around, we went aggressively to make sure we could do the job. We wanted to make it work for them, and donated a sizable amount of the logs and labour for the project.”

Pioneer Log Homes never does anything “ordinary.” The new church is no exception. With its fifty-foot bell tower erected on four carved cedar posts above the entranceway, and Pioneer’s trademark hanging trusses providing clear sightlines inside the sanctuary, the building is a work of art.

Vision for new church

A year ago, in February 2009, Joe Alphonse was elected chief of Tl’etinqox. Despite any differences with his predecessor, Alphonse embraced a vision for the new church. Over an eight day period in May 2009, the new log structure was transported an hour-and-a-half from Williams Lake to Tl’etinqox, and set up on a prepared foundation sporting a full basement. It instantly became a visual icon.

“As soon as you enter our valley you see our church,” says Chief Alphonse. “It’s going to bean attractive building that will help identify our community.”

Alphonse is first to admit that the new church project he inherited is very challenging.

With the economic downturn and mill closures in the region, money is hard to come by. Despite the insurance settlement from the old church and a generous$200,000 contribution from Catholic Missions In Canada, he estimates $500,000 is still needed to complete the facility. “We reached the lock-up stage but haven’t been able to do anything because we have run out of money. We still have to install the wiring, plumbing, heating and lighting. We’re praying things will come together so we can have a grand opening in June. We’ve prioritized the church. Any surplus money will be used there.”

Weekly fundraisers

The community is helping out in small ways like hosting weekly fundraisers and donating the proceeds to the building project. Alphonse says workers from Abbotsford, who are building the community’s new health building, have offered to finish the outside of the church. “We just need to get the materials,” he says.

Bishop David Monroe of the Diocese of Kamloops, responsible for Tl’etinqox and ten other parishes served by two resident priests in Williams Lake says the new church will be a cultural centre as well as a place to meet the spiritual needs of the community. He is encouraged by the many examples of generosity so far. “We’re working on getting a price for the electrical. Finishing the church is something that will take time.”

He is impressed how the community is taking an active interest in the church. “Otherwise, they won’t feel it’s theirs.”

Bishop Monroe is hoping some of the women in the community will create a new buckskinvestment to replace the distinctive beaded vestment that was destroyed in the fire. Workers for Pioneer Log Homes restored the church bell damaged by the fire and built a device to hang it in the bell tower all for free. Durfeld Log Timbers, a second Williams Lake log building company, is donating a beautiful podium and altar for the new church.

“We’ve used up most of the money but have enough to finish the electrical,” says Father Andrew L’Heureux who shares pastoral duties at Tl’etinqox with Father Clinton Pendleton. “We’re at a standstill, looking for donations. We’re relying on people’s generosity. We always do that. I’m certain it will all work out somehow. We got pews donated from the Bishop’s old parish in Vancouver. The people have to do it in their own time. They’ve got pretty generous hearts.”

Sage Birchwater, who recently retired as a staff writer with The Williams Lake Tribune, lives in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

© 2011 Catholic Missions In Canada Charitable BN # 119220531 RR0001