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 was once a school, then a Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist temple, and also a meeting place for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This building was the oldest Buddhist shrine in Canada that was used all the time, until it closed in 2006.
The Building's Early History
The construction of this building started in 1902. It was finished in 1903. Settlers from the Latter-day Saint faith in Raymond built it. At first, it served as the town's very first schoolhouse. It was also used as a meeting place for the LDS Church. People held other community events there too.
In 1910, the school moved to a bigger building. Later, in 1929, the LDS Church finished building a larger meeting place for themselves. This meant the original building was ready for a new purpose.
Becoming a Buddhist Temple
In 1929, 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 meeting spot. This building became 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 store was a co-operative store, meaning it was owned and run by its members. The store continued to operate until the 1990s. The temple itself was used until 2006. When it closed, the temple's altar and decorations were moved to another Buddhist temple in Lethbridge, Alberta. In 1988, the Raymond Buddhist Church was called "one of the finest [Buddhist] shrines in North America."
Building Design and Importance
The way the building is designed is typical of public buildings from the early 1900s in Alberta. It is the oldest building in Raymond. Because of its long history and importance, it was added to the Alberta Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site.
