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This is a stop on our self-guided tour is designed to be followed along with a physical version of the map available at the Kamloops Museum and Archives or simply enjoy the information below. View all tour stops.
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Sunday & Monday: Closed -
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Tuesday - Friday: 1:15pm - 4:00pm
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday & Monday: Closed
St.Andrews On The Square
Built in 1887 in a Victorian Gothic Revival style. Kamloops’ oldest public building | Stop #18
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St. Andrew’s on the Square: Kamloops' Oldest Public Building
St. Andrew’s on the Square sits at the corner of Seymour Street and Second Avenue in downtown Kamloops. With its pointed spire, tall tower, and Gothic-inspired windows, it stands out as one of the city’s most recognizable heritage buildings. The open square beside it adds to its presence, but only the church building itself is formally recognized as a historic site.
More information about this site will be added as research continues. If you have questions, comments, or stories to share, feel free to contact the Kamloops Museum and Archives at [email protected] or call 250-828-3576. Our team will make sure your message gets to the right place.
Kamloops’ Oldest Public Building
Built in 1887, St. Andrew’s is the oldest public building still standing in Kamloops. It was constructed to serve a growing Presbyterian congregation and was built on land donated by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Many of the original construction funds came from CPR employees, particularly those of Scottish descent.
The church served a Presbyterian congregation until 1925, when the United Church of Canada was formed. It changed hands again in 1942 when the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada took over, renaming it Calvary Temple. By the 1950s and 60s, it had become home to one of the largest Sunday Schools in the country. Over the years, it was also used for everything from community meetings to badminton matches and gym classes.
The Gaglardi Years
Reverend Phil Gaglardi, who later became BC’s Minister of Highways, led the church during a time of growth and change. Under his leadership, the church was restored in 1945, and a large addition was built on the south side in 1958. His influence is still part of the story of the building today.
Saved by the Community
By the early 1990s, the building had fallen into decline and faced the threat of demolition. The City of Kamloops bought the property in 1991, and by 1996, it was fully restored thanks to a mix of volunteer efforts, support from the Kamloops Heritage Society, and a grant from the BC Heritage Trust. Since then, it has become a well-loved community centre and reception hall, continuing its role as a place for people to gather.
Gothic Revival Details
St. Andrew’s is a great example of late Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. It features a steep cedar-shingled roof, corner buttresses, wooden drop siding, and tall pointed-arch windows. The spire has fish-scale shingles, louvred vents, and a decorative metal cap. Inside, the vaulted ceiling is finished with diagonally patterned wooden panelling, creating a checkerboard effect. The stained-glass windows, added by local donors since 1999, bring colour and light into the space.
Designed by Robert Henry Lee
The church was designed by Robert Henry Lee, a civil engineer, surveyor, architect, and former mayor of Kamloops. Lee also laid out the townsites of Merritt, Nicola, and Princeton and designed a number of important buildings across the province. He served on Kamloops’ first city council in 1893 and as mayor from 1894 to 1896. His work left a lasting mark on both the shape and the style of the city.
Photos From The Archive
Click each image for photo details.
