We visited this charming church. Consecrated in 1861, it is the oldest and still operating church on the B.C. Mainland. It is the legacy of reverend A.D. Pringle, who arrived in Hope in late fall of 1859 with the Cariboo Gold Rush in full swing. He established the Hope Reading Room for the thousands of single men gathered in mining camps and then lobbied for this church. Capt. J. M. Grant of the Royal Engineers, the architect, built this stunning example of an Anglican parish church in the Gothic Revival style. It's leaded glass windows were brought by steamship from England around the southern tip of South America. Stepping into the Church is like stepping back in time. It's dark wood interior has seen James Doulglas, B.C.'s first Governor attend and Edgar Dewdney married in 1864 after building his famous gold rush trail. The alter area was originally covered with carpet woven by nuns in England and shipped out to the Colony. Today 2 prayer kneelers are left after 100 years of use and an example is framed for view.
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