The new sanctuary at the Kamloops United Church. (Image Credit: Michael Caveney/Facebook)

By Victor Kaisar

Rebuilt Church

Sunday service returning to Kamloops United Church nearly 16 months after 2024 fire

Dec 6, 2025 | 1:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops United Church will be hosting its first service at its rebuilt downtown location this Sunday (Dec. 7), nearly 16 months after the church was damaged by an electrical fire.

Worshippers were displaced as the Aug. 13, 2024 fire caused major damage to the downtown church’s sanctuary. They’ll return back to 421 St. Paul Street for a 10:00 a.m. service Sunday.

“This Sunday marks a new beginning for Kamloops United Church — our first worship service in the newly rebuilt downtown sanctuary,” a recent newsletter from the church said.

According to the Kamloops United Church, staff have been allowed to take occupancy of the rebuilt space as of today, Dec. 6.

“We are thankful to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Churches who are permitting us to use their churches for funerals and other large activities,” a previous update from Rev. Michael Caveney, the church’s lead minister, said.

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“We have managed to relocate most programs and will continue to worship on Sundays at [the former Mt. Paul United Church on Laburnum Street].”

The PIT Stop meal program is also returning to the Kamloops United Church, just in time for next Sunday’s (Dec. 14) annual Christmas dinner.

“Man, so excited to be home, so excited because it’s been a while,” PIT Stop coordinator Valentine Uwakwe told CFJC. “[Now that we are] back home, we can breathe, we can get settled and have everything back to normal.”

No injuries were reported and Kamloops Fire Rescue later deemed that the fire was not suspicious.

The Aug. 13, 2024 fire at the Kamloops United Church. (Image Credit: Bob Francis/Submitted)

Aftermath of the Aug. 13, 2024 fire at the Kamloops United Church. (CFJC Today File Photo)