Description of Historic Place

Canoe United Church is a simple gable-roofed church building located on the west side of 50 Street NE near the entrance to the neighbourhood of Canoe in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Sited on a 669 square-metre property fronting 50 Street NE, the church is clearly visible from the road. Signage on the front of the building and next to the road identifies it as the Canoe United Church. The historic place includes the building and the small lot on which it is located.

Heritage Value

Constructed by local contractor William H. Ireland in 1921, Canoe United Church is valued for its historic, social and cultural significance within the community, particularly for its association with its first minister Reverend John Dinnage Hobden and for being the first church constructed in Canoe.

As the first purpose built structure to house a place of worship in Canoe, the church building remains a symbol of the role religious institutions played in creating complete communities. Established as the Canoe Methodist Church, it was not until 1925 that the Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists amalgamated to form the Canoe United Church. Prior to its construction, the first church services of the interdenominational church (dating back to 1888) were held in private homes.

The Church is important historically for its association with its first minister, Reverend J.D. Hobden. In 1934, Hobden was appointed as the first director of the first branch of the John Howard Society in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hobden received national fame for his involvement and work in prison reform, as well as other social issues, and in 1974 he received the Order of Canada for the social issues and reforms to which he dedicated his life.

Source: City Hall, City of Salmon Arm

Character-Defining Elements

Key elements that define the heritage character of Canoe United Church include its:

Site:
-Location near the entrance to the community of Canoe

Building:
-Simple gable form
-Shingles on gable ends