St. Andrew’s on the Square ready for the public nearly two years after catching fire

The city adds the restored St. Andrew’s on the Square features a bright, welcoming interior with the original historic pews, stained glass pieces, archival photos, period lighting, trim, baseboards, moulding, paint, hardware honour, a quiet family space and a gender-neutral washroom.

“St. Andrew’s on the Square is a little jewel box cared for in the heart of the city,” Julia Cyr, the city’s museum supervisor, says. “A blend of historic heritage, functionality and community-driven, intentional design, buildings like St. Andrew’s reflect the spirit of collaboration as a warm and welcoming space for all.”

St. Andrew’s on the Square will be available for bookings starting June 1, including celebrations of life, ceremonies, cultural events, gatherings, meetings, performances and weddings. The city says the building will now feature a digital photo display showcasing wedding memories, as previous wedding photographs were lost due to water damage.

“Like a phoenix, St Andrew’s has risen twice,” Andrew Yarmie, member of the City’s Heritage Engagement Group, says. “Due to vacancies and neglect, the church nearly succumbed to demolition in the 1990s and then to a fire in 2024. First through the efforts of the Kamloops Heritage Society, and next the City of Kamloops, the facility has been restored to a high standard and remains a cornerstone of our heritage and community.”

Kamloops Museum and Archives will offer free public tours of St. Andrew’s on the Square on Saturday, May 23, with sign-up available at the nearby Farmers’ Market downtown. The city says tours will depart from the museum booth at the Farmer’s Market at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and from the museum’s front desk at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

by Aaron Schulze

St. Andrew’s on the Square ready for the public nearly two years after catching fire

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