14

Once the newly formed Heritage Society had a one-year lease in hand, the planning and fundraising for the restoration of the church began.

Robert Hobson recalled in a 2011 interview that during the initial walk through of the building with Walter Anderson and Bill Knowles, the church was in very poor condition. There was a hole in the floor and the floor boards were sagging due to the building's rotting foundation. The building itself was sinking. According to Robert Hobson, the building's deterioration was accelerated due to Benvoulin Road being prone to flooding. This was made even more extreme, when the road was raised, causing additional water to sit around and under the church's foundations.

15

Benvoulin Road flooded
Circa 1908
Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Kelowna Public Archives #5877

16

In the fall of 1982, Bill Knowles, a well- known local historian and member of a Kelowna pioneer family, put together an initial report on the work needed to restore the church. The December 10th, 1982 report was entitled "Old Presbyterian Church on Benvoulin Road" by Bill Knowles of Knowles Construction Limited. An outline of work needed included: raising the building and new concrete foundations ("as practically on the ground and by the sag in some parts of the floor there definitely are rotted timbers underneath."); new roof; possible detachment of the present living quarters (Reid Hall) and either move it to back or demolish it and move a house onto the property at the back; upgrade electrical; add washroom and furnace; remove 'old wood lath and plaster and replace with gyproc; add insulation; scrape and paint exterior; new window frame (where old Reid Hall was); some window and door repairs and remove brick chimney. The initial costs were estimated to be between $42,000 and $44,000.

In 1983 the B.C. Heritage Trust approved a grant for an initial survey of the building. This helped fund the planning of the ten year project and built on Bill Knowles original report.

17

Interior of the Benvoulin Church prior to restoration looking west
Circa 1982
Benvoulin Heritage Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

18

Interior of Benvoulin Church prior to restoration looking north
Circa 1982
Benvoulin Heritage Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Cental Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

19

Part of the planning for the restoration, was to go into the community and gather photographs of the interior and exterior of the church and talk to those who had connections to the building. The Benvoulin pioneer descendants of the Reid and Peterman families were especially helpful in this process.

20

Letter from Robert Hobson to Kaye Arthur thanking her for photo
20 February 1984

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fond

21

Interior of Bethel Presbyterian Church looking towards the east window and pulpit
Circa 1914
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds
George Weeks (photographer)

22

Interior of Bethel Presbyterian Church looking towards the north window
Circa 1914
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okangan Heritage Society Fonds
George Weeks (photographer)

23

In late 1983 the church was designated as a municipal heritage building under the B.C. Heritage Conservation Act - Municipal Heritage Designation Bylaw No. 5599 (1983). This was the second building designated as a heritage site in Kelowna (Laurel Packinghouse was also designated in 1983 - Bylaw No. 5480). A second grant from the B.C. Heritage Trust for $16,400 (in addition to the grant for the initial survey of the building) was contingent on the church being designated a heritage site by the City of Kelowna.

It should also be noted that in a circa 1983 evaluation by the Kelowna Heritage Resource Inventory study group, the church received a rating of 87 (out of 100 points), pointing to its major significance to the community.

24

Kelowna Heritage Inventory form on the Benvoulin Heritage Church
Circa 1983
Kelowna, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds
Kelowna Public Archives

25

The restoration was possible due to the support of the community, as well as financial assistance from the Province, regional and municipal grants. Several of the society's founders felt so strongly that the project should proceed that they signed personal guarantees for loans. Eventually money was found through provincial government grants, memberships, fundraisers and other sources.

Funding included: BC Heritage Trust $16,500, Okanagan Foundation $6,000, City of Kelowna $1,500, private donations added $5,000, Canada Works Program $25,000 (Katimavik provided labour through their youth training program).

26

Cynthia Ellis accepting Mary Bull's donation towards the church restoration
23 February 1983
Benvoulin Heritage Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds
Daily Courier, February 23, 1983

27

Ink drawing of Benvoulin Heritage Church by Mary Bull
Circa 1986
Benvoulin Heritage Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okangan Heritage Society Fonds
Mary Bull (artist)