After nearly a century in Kamloops, St. George’s Anglican Church closes its doors

KAMLOOPS — After 96 years, St. George Anglican Church will be closing on Saturday (Sept. 30), with its last worship service to be held Wednesday night.

Rev. John Boyd has been with the church since 2019. When he came to Kamloops, he already knew the future of St. George’s was uncertain. However, the pandemic made things worse, as he saw a steep decline in attendance.

“Our congregation went from about 42 people to about 21 in the space of two or three years. We did our best, but, at this point, the cost of maintaining the building and ministry just cannot be supported by the congregation,” Boyd told CFJC Today.

Rev. Boyd explained that efforts are underway to have church members relocated to other parishes in the region.

“We have been working to provide spiritual care through the transition. People who have the mobility to go to the cathedral (in downtown Kamloops), will go to St. Paul’s. They will be welcomed there,” he said. “There’s also the parish of Monte Creek. We are working to make sure, no matter what, they find a home to go and to continue.”

There might not be another worship service at St. George’s, but Rev. Boyd said the congregation leaves as lifelong friends.

“There’s sadness, but I think there is also some acceptance and hope that they will continue to meet. It’s not just a Sunday thing. They also spend time together during their daily lives and they become, in their own words, they become like family,” he explained. “They’ll still be calling each other. They’ll still be visiting and looking after each other. Once you’re here, you’re part of the family.”