Timeline
1955: An Latter-day Saint family (the Kenny family) moved from White Rock to Kamloops. With the help of missionaries, a Sunday School was organized. Various missionaries ran it regularly at the Canadian Legion Hall. The local Relief Society was organized.
1958: The Kamloops Sunday School became a “Dependent Branch”, dependent on the Vernon Branch, meaning that Sunday School was held in Kamloops on Sunday mornings and worship services (“sacrament meeting”) were held in Vernon on Sunday evenings.
Between 1955 and 1960: Began meeting at the Masonic Hall.
29 May 1960: The Kamloops Branch was formally organized. The first Branch President was selected. This meant Sunday worship services were now held in Kamloops.
Mar 1965: The current Parkcrest property was purchased for building a church.
1966: Parkcrest building plans were approved. Construction likely did not begin this year.
2 Mar 1969: Started meeting at Brocklehurst Elementary School
Nov 1971: Phase 1 of chapel completed. Paid for by local fundraising. Built by “labour missionaries” and local members.
21 Nov 1971: First meeting held in Phase 1 of the new chapel.
12 Oct 1975: Kamloops Branch becomes the Kamloops Ward, first Bishop was selected.
1976: Phase 2 (large chapel) was added to the building.
1979: 3rd phase of the building was added (gymnasium, Family History Centre, kitchen, offices, more classrooms).
4 Oct 1983: The Kamloops Ward was split into Kamloops 1st Ward and Kamloops 2nd Ward. Kamloops 1st Ward retained congregants south of Thompson River and east of North Thompson River.
Meeting Places
- 1955: Royal Canadian Legion Hall
- Masonic Hall
- 364 Fortune Drive
- 1971-Present: 2165 Parkcrest Avenue
Leadership History
Local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are led by unpaid volunteers from the congregation. Volunteers typically serve for up to 5 years.
- 1955-1960: Missionaries presided over Sunday School.
- 29 May 1960: President Richard R Moray
- Between 1960 and 1962: Gordon W Kenny
- After 1962: President Alfred E Johnson
- 10 May 1964: President Archibald John Bennee
- 27 June 1965: President Thomas H. Gregson
- 1968: President Arlo Edgar Hansen
- 12 Jan 1969: President Charles Robert Uhrig
- 24 Sept 1973: President Cliff Branchflower
- 12 Oct 1975: Bishop Cliff Branchflower
- 28 Oct 1978: Bishop David L. Clark
- 15 Jan 1983: Bishop Kelvin W. Jensen
- 16 Sept 1984: Bishop William G. Agar
- 28 May 1989: Bishop K. Kay Strate
- 20 Sept 1992: Bishop Peter A. Bellos
- 1 Nov 1992: Bishop Gordon D. Herrington
- 16 Nov 1997: Bishop Robert J. Graham
- 7 Jul 2002: Bishop B. Demont (Monty) Nelson
- 3 Feb 2008: Bishop Walter N. Branchflower
- 19 May 2013: Bishop M. Shayne Olsen
- 2019 - Present: Bishop Craig Astle
Congregation Website
https://local.churchofjesuschrist.org/ca/bc/kamloops/2165-parkcrest-avenue
Meeting Times
Sundays 9am (odd years) or 11:30am (even years)
Information Sources
- Personal Communications
- Church History Library