Church of the Holy Cross (Skatin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Cross, Skatin |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| Country | Canada |
| Completed | ca. 1905 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | wooden |
| Official name: Church of the Holy Cross National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1981 |
The Church of the Holy Cross is a special place in British Columbia, Canada. It's known as a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a very important historical building!
You can find it on the land of the Skatin First Nation. This area is in southwestern British Columbia. The church sits on the east side of the Lillooet River. It's also along the old Douglas Road, which was British Columbia's first inland Gold Rush trail. The Skatin First Nation calls their community Skatin. In English, it's often called Skookumchuck Hot Springs. "Skookumchuck" means "strong water" in the local language.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Days and Missionaries
Around 1860, missionaries started visiting the Lillooet River valley. They set up missions in places like Port Douglas and Skookumchuck Hot Springs. These missionaries encouraged local Indigenous people to live together in small villages.
Before the current church, there were other places of worship in Skatin. However, these older buildings are no longer standing. The villages never had a priest living there all the time. Instead, priests would travel through the area once a year. They came from places like St. Mary's Indian Residential School or Mount Currie.
Because priests visited so rarely, many important events happened on the same day. For example, several couples might get married, or many babies would be baptized all at once. Services often took place outdoors or in the home of a community leader.
Building the Church
Some families from the area traveled for seasonal work. They saw the large churches in places like Sechelt, British Columbia and New Westminster. They were also inspired by pictures of grand European cathedrals on prayer cards. This inspired them to build a beautiful church that was also a work of art.
The local Indigenous craftspeople worked for many years on the church. They created the amazing carved altar and detailed wooden parts. The church was finished around 1905. The builders were not trained carpenters, but they used the tools they had.
They used materials from the local area, like huge trees from the forests. Some wood might have been cut at Port Douglas or even further away. Materials were moved using horse-drawn wagons, rafts, canoes, or carried on people's backs.
The Church Today
For many generations, people have been baptized, married, and had funerals at this church. It is still a place of worship and ceremony today. People from nearby communities like Samahquam, Douglas First Nation, and Mount Currie use it.
The Catholic Archbishop blessed the church in 1908. But the building truly belongs to the local communities who built it. Some repairs were done between 1982 and 1984. At that time, elders Henry Peters and Margaret Ann Peters (Williams) celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary there. They also had their great-granddaughter, Jessica, baptized.
A National Historic Site
Why it's Important
The Church of the Holy Cross was named a National Historic Site in 1981. It received this honor because of its special Carpenter Gothic style of architecture. This style uses wood to create a look similar to grand stone cathedrals. The church is also famous for its amazing hand-carved interior features.
The people who built the church were honored on June 22, 2006. A bronze plaque was put up to remember their hard work. The plaque has words in three languages: Ucwalmicwts (the local Indigenous language), English, and French.
The plaque describes the church:
Built about 1905 by members of the Stl'atl'imx Nation, the Church of the Holy Cross is remarkable for the beauty and originality of its interior decoration. The craftsmanship of the cedar sculptures, altar, pews, and grave markers of this wooden Carpenter Gothic style building attests to the exceptional skills of the local artisans. The corner towers, rose window, three spires, and arched windows also contribute to the distinctive character of this 'cathedral in the wilderness'
Keeping the Church Safe
Conservation Efforts
In the winter of 2006, work began to protect the church. The inside of the towers and steeples were made stronger. The next year, work started on the church's foundations. This was finished in 2008. Now, the church stands on strong concrete supports instead of old river rocks.
In some places, the original wooden beams supporting the church had rotted. Workers trimmed the bad parts and added new wood. When the front porch was taken off, a main support beam was found to be badly rotted. To fix this quickly, a concrete wall was put under the front of the church. The two towers also now have concrete foundations.
The church now has a stable base. However, other parts of the building, like the outside walls, towers, and decorations, continue to wear out.
Future Plans and Funding
In August 2009, Parks Canada offered to help pay for repairs. They offered up to $202,060 for certain costs. Volunteers still need to raise money to match these funds for the work to continue. A special announcement about this funding was made on November 14, 2009.
Since then, emergency work has been done. Damaged windows, trim, and woodwork from the towers have been removed and stored safely. Holes have been covered to protect the church from bad weather. A team of experts is now making detailed plans for more conservation work.
This work will include fixing and replacing outside decorations and siding. They will also repair windows, frames, and repaint the outside. The roof, which is almost 30 years old, will be replaced. The electrical system will be updated, and new safety and fire prevention measures will be added.
The Ama Liisaos Heritage Trust Society is raising money for these repairs. The total cost is expected to be over $450,000. About half of this will come from the government's cost-sharing agreement. They have started an "Adopt a Window" campaign. This lets families and supporters honor a loved one or special event with a memorial plaque. If you want to help save this special place, you can contact the Ama Liisaos Heritage Trust Society. A book called Spirit in the Land: Our Place of Prayer tells the story of the church and its builders.
A local elder explained why the people built this church: "They were very spiritual people. At first, they would have prayed anywhere on the land. It was the priests who taught them to pray in a church. This building has become a center for our culture and our communities. Our ancestors built this church by working together. It can bring our people back together once again."
