Along with having historical importance to a community, landmarks help us recognize a location without having a specific address.
In the Notch Hill valley, there is one such landmark right next to the CPR tracks – a little old abandoned church surrounded with overgrown vegetation, with no formal access apparent. Local engineer Tim Dunne, with historian Louise Barber, each with family history in the Notch Hill area, have taken an interest in restoring the dilapidated church with the bell tower caving through the decaying roof.
Friends of the 1922 Notch Hill Church Society is a non-profit organization created with the sole objective to repair the structure. Recently the society was granted permission to access the site, after a considerable effort over most of the past year.
Rufus Hammond completed construction of the Notch Hill Catholic Church on his land in October 1922, with the help of several volunteers. The church stayed active until 1970, with the property reverting back to Crown land in the 1980s as a result of unpaid taxes.
Team leader and heritage architect Tim Dunne of Omega Engineering in Salmon Arm is volunteering his time and effort toward the project. Many other volunteers will be needed in the reconstruction. Dunne stressed the project is a race against time.
“It will fall in the next eight months without structural stabilization,” he explained.
Dunne has a specific list of lumber required for the reconstruction project. He says it can be used lumber, or old, just so long as its the right length or longer. It can be thicker (rough lumber) and need not be perfectly straight. It must also be free of rot.
Once all the materials have been gathered, Dunne expects one full day of construction should do the job.
First, the floor of the building will be straightened, then the CPR track endwall, followed by the other walls and roof.
“With those straightened,” Dunne continued, “we can begin the permanent stabilization and repairs. These will focus first on the roof structure – some new trusses plus new plywood sheeting.
“We need to leave the big trees up for now, cut away the brush and branches at person level all the way around the building. Trees are shade for us, and they protect the building from wind.”
Volunteers will be needed to help out with construction, locating materials and fundraising to get the job done.
Call Louis at 250-253-5776 for more information.
Street party
The Sorrento 100 organizing committee has scheduled events to celebrate the centennial, bringing awareness and educating the community on the historical resources available.
One of the largest of these events is the Sorrento 100 Street Party, fun for the whole family, from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 in front of Sorrento Elementary School on Passchendale Road. The street will be open to pedestrian traffic only.
Vehicle access to the Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts in progress at Sorrento Memorial Hall will be maintained.
Current and former residents of the Sorrento community, along with others around the Shuswap, will join together in celebrating Sorrento’s 100th birthday in a big way.
There will be food and craft vendors lining the street, entertainment by talented local artists, kids games and entertainment on the school grounds.
Local, provincial and federal dignitaries have been invited to participate in this grand event, the official recognition of Sorrento turning 100.
Memorial tea
One of the major proponents and tireless volunteer for the Sorrento 100 celebrations, among other community organizations, Maureen Brass passed away unexpectedly.
To honour the importance of this talented and hard working lady, a memorial tea will be held July 23, 2 p.m. at the Sorrento Drop In Society Hall.
If you would like to help out with the tea, contact Margo Friesen at 250-675-0065.
