Joe Rich has had four church organizations over the years. The first was organized by John Baillie who had studied for the ministry in England. The Sunday services conducted by him took place in the new school house starting in 1923 and continuing until 1927. A small pump organ was kept in the school to be used by the church, community gatherings and of course the Christmas concert. When Mr. Baillie moved away from Joe Rich, Rev. C.E. Davis, the Kelowna Anglican minister continued to conduct services which took place only intermittently. These carried on for a few years even after the school was closed in 1957. When the schoolhouse was moved to its present location in 1964, a box of old hymn books was still in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1957 Vacation Bible School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1957 Vacation Bible School

A very long period without religious services followed; perhaps because travel to churches in Kelowna had become so easy. But in 2000 a group of Joe Rich residents decided they would like to have an Easter service and follow it with more regular church in the community hall. They invited Pastor Ed Brouwer, a resident of Joe Rich who was conducting religious worship in the rented Black Mountain Adventist Church by the pond, to lead the service. He and his wife, Judy took over the job. A religious service was conducted in the community hall on Sunday evening once a month. These meetings were continued until 2003. They were then taken over by Mary-Ann Graham and some Joe Rich friends, but were discontinued after a few months because of difficulty raising the funds to rent the hall. Several small religious groups have continued, but they now meet in the warmer less expensive atmosphere of homes.

A Vacation Bible School was also conducted in Joe Rich by Mrs. Gerry Demitor and Mrs. Dorothy Mullen during the summers of 1974 and 1975 in the Mullens’ home which is now owned by Birches. Mrs. Carlson and two women from Kelowna helped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1975 Vacation Bible School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1957 Vacation Bible School

 

The kindergarten age children were: Brian and Sharon Benner, Bonnie Carlson, Timmy Demitor, Todd Francis, Tracy Fast, Tracy Snodgrass, Leroy Stubbington, Wayne Tracy, and Rardi and Troy Van Heest. Primary age children were: Sharon Avery, Bobby and Leanne Carlson, Darin Fast, Michelle Godmaire, Vicky Hall, Susie Hecko, David and Kathy Murphy, Janice Sjodin, Donna Snodgrass, Priscilla Stubbington, Roger and Sandra Tracy, Donna Travers, Peter Wergin and Jeannie and Shelagh Weddell. The juniors were: Collin Avery, Terry Carlson, Clayton Pearce, Ronda Philpott, Kathy Russell, Brenda and David Snodgrass, Joy and Wanda Travers, and Gavin Weddell.