Raymond Buddhist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raymond Buddhist Church |
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Raymond Buddhist Church c. 1960
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism (formerly), Latter-day Saint (formerly) |
| Location | |
| Location | Raymond, Alberta, Canada |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1903 |
The Raymond Buddhist Church is a special building in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. It has had many different uses over the years! It started as a school, then became a place of worship for two different faiths: first for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and later for Jōdo Shinshū Buddhists. Until it closed in 2006, it was the oldest Buddhist place of worship in Canada that was used all the time.
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What Was the Raymond Buddhist Church Used For?
This historic building has a long and interesting past. It was built over 120 years ago and has served the community in many ways.
Early Days: A School and Church
Work on the building began in 1902 and finished in 1903. It was built by the early settlers of Raymond, who were members of the Latter-day Saint faith. At first, it was the town's very first schoolhouse. Imagine learning your ABCs in this building! It was also used as a meeting place for the LDS Church and for other community events.
In 1910, the town needed a bigger school, so the school moved to a new building. Later, in 1929, the LDS Church also built a larger meeting place. This meant the original building was ready for a new purpose.
Becoming a Buddhist Temple
In 1929, a group of Japanese Canadian people, who followed the Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist faith, bought the building. They wanted to use it as a temple, a school, and a community gathering spot. This made it the very first Buddhist temple ever built in Alberta!
Starting in 1932, a special store called the "Kobai Kumiai" also operated from inside the building. This was a co-operative store, which means it was owned and run by its members. The store served the community for many years, until the 1990s. The temple continued to be a place of worship until 2006. When it closed, the special altar and decorations were moved to another Buddhist temple in Lethbridge, Alberta. In 1988, people even said the Raymond Buddhist Church was "one of the finest" Buddhist temples in all of North America!
Why Is This Building Important?
The Raymond Buddhist Church is important for its history and its design.
Building Style and Age
The way the building looks is typical of public buildings built in Alberta in the early 1900s. It's a great example of the architecture from that time. It's also the oldest building still standing in Raymond! Because of its age and history, it was added to the Alberta Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.
