Raymond Community Centre facts for kids

The Raymond Community Centre is an important building in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. Today, it is home to the Broadway Theatre and the Raymond Public Library. For many years, until 1987, this building was a meeting place for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People knew it as the Park Avenue Chapel or sometimes as the "Second Ward Church" or the "Brown Church."

What is the Raymond Community Centre?

The Raymond Community Centre is a busy place for people in the town. It offers different services and activities. You can find the Broadway Theatre inside, which is a place for shows and events. The Raymond Public Library is also located here, where you can borrow books and learn new things. Several businesses also have offices in the building. The town hall of Raymond was also here until 2019.

A Building with History

The design for this special building was created by an architect named Francis Bent Rolfson. Construction started in 1928. At that time, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints already had one meeting place in Raymond. However, their group had grown very large. They needed a second, bigger building for their members. The building has a unique Y-shape with a round area in the middle. It was finished in 1939. It was officially opened as a church meetinghouse on November 5, 1939.

From Church to Community Hub

In 1987, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sold the building. The Town of Raymond bought it. After that, the building went through big changes. Many parts were updated and fixed. These renovations made the building ready for its new purpose. It opened as the Raymond Community Centre on June 1, 1996.

A Special Historic Place

The building is very old and important. Because of its history, it was named a Provincial Historic Resource in 1989. This means it is a special place protected by the province. It is also listed on the Alberta Register of Historic Places. On this list, it is called the Latter Day Saints Park Avenue Chapel. You can find it at the corner of Broadway and Park Avenue. Interestingly, there is a "twin" building in Provo, Utah. It was built using the exact same design.