St Francis in the Woods

St Francis in the Woods is found out in BC’s Kootenay region and dates back well over a hundred years. Secreted away down a seldom used back road, this quaint little church seems far removed from the modern world and while no longer used in a spiritual capacity, it still hosts community functions from time to time. Otherwise, there’s nothing much going on and silence rules.

A more delightful spot could not be imagined and you can just stand there and feel the day’s problems melt away. It’s a peaceful, serine location, setback from the highway, up from the lake and hidden in the trees. The congregation (Anglican parish of Kokanee) dates back to 1909 but it was not until 1915 before their church was completed. Both land and materials were all donated.

It’s said the structure got built without help from blueprints or any formal plans for that matter and rather just a simple sketch followed. Carpenters were entrusted to take it from there and make it happen. This rather casual approach seemed to work and the building appears well thought out and expertly constructed.

It took close to a year to complete the church on account of a labour shortage and that’s mostly thanks to World War One. Everyone was off to fight or minimally preoccupied with other things. The world was on edge and things like this would have to wait.

Up until 1927 the church carried the name All Hallows, but on being consecrated (dedicated) took on the current title. About a decade later it got wired for electricity but even then a wood stove continued to provide warmth for some time. Now electric baseboard heating is used.

There’s still a biffy out back with a Gothic style door and it’s in harmony with the church itself. Do we dare describe an outhouse as charming? Mention is made of made of an small washroom being located inside for a time, but it’s since been removed. So it’s outside with you if there’s business to do, but such are our first world problems.

The stained-glass you see comes thanks to a demolished church in Trail BC (St. Andrew’s Anglican). This happened during the mid-1950s but it’s not said, nor has photo evidence come to light, to show how the previous windows appeared at St Francis.

These were refurbished in more recent times and as stained glass windows do, they add a cool, soft cast to the interior. There’s something about that diffused light that makes photography a pleasure and it’s hard to describe.

The bell tower, according to any write-ups we found, dates from the early 1970s and dedicated to one Private Thomas Ough (age 20). His grave is just down the road in Balfour and sadly he perished in an auto accident in the area long ago. It’s not clear his connection to St Francis in the Woods, but his family must have been active in the congregation.

We wonder if the tower is in fact older and only the dedication noted? It’s just something that crossed our minds – this is pretty much a standard feature on churches when they’re newly built. We’ve yet to see any older photos to confirm this, so for now we can only ponder the possibility.

There’s a second military dedication inside, on a plaque, and it’s for one Hubert John Mahood, who died in action in France during World War One at age 20. The Mahood family had long ago donated materials used in construction of the church and this put up in honour of this sacrifice.

By the 1980s, attendance had dropped off to such a degree that regular services were no longer held. This problem wasn’t unique to St Francis in the Woods and a similar pattern was seen all over the country. Still, they performed the occasional marriage and a yearly Christmas service, but otherwise it was little used.

By the mid-1990s, it closed and shortly after transferred to the Queens Bay Residents Association for a nominal sum.

Ever since it’s been used for all manner of social events, get-togethers, fairs and celebrations. It still looks very much the church inside and out, even if it no longer serves in that capacity. It’s nice to see locals getting together and saving this venerable old structure for had they not acted, the outcome could have been quite different. The building is no doubt well loved and cared for.

Old historic photos and artwork depicting the general area, folks associated with the church, and of the building itself line the walls. These are a deep rabbit hole for people like us, but given time constraints we didn’t jump in too deep. It’s a regret and that settles it, we’ll have to come back.

A place like St Francis of the Woods has always been refuge from the insufferable noise and lunacy of the world. That holds true back then and even today it’s a place to reboot and gather one’s senses.

Know more (new window): St Francis in the Woods Queens Bay BC.

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Random awesomeness…
Irricana United Church.
Christ Church Millarville.
Zion Lutheran Church.

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Date of Adventure: May, 2023.
Location(s): Queens Bay, BC.
Article references and thanks: Book – Kootenay Outlet Reflections, Queens Bay Residents Association, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Trail, Greg Nesteroff of the Nelson Star and Royal BC Museum Archives.

St Francis in the Woods.

It dates back to the mid-1910s.

It hasn’t functioned as a church since the 1990s, however.

In keeping with the design…

Today St Francis in the Woods is used as a community hall.

It still looks the part on the inside.

Out on the grounds.