Fonds - Osoyoos United Church fonds

Services for the Osoyoos community were held from 1921 until 1939 in the nearby Okanagan town of Oliver. The town of Osoyoos experienced rapid growth during the inter-war period and services held in Oliver for the Osoyoos congregation became increasingly inconvenient for the growing population. Osoyoos United Church was dedicated on September 9, 1939 as part of the Oliver-Okanagan Falls-Osoyoos pastoral charge. In June 1965, the congregation approved a plan for its own pastoral charge. In July 1, 1965, Osoyoos United Church was split from Oliver and Okanagan Falls pastoral charge to form a charge in its own right. In 1971, Osoyoos United Church rejoined with the Oliver and Okangan Falls charges to form a three point charge. In 1997, Osoyoos United Church became a single pastoral charge.

The Oliver United Church traces its local beginnings to that of the town itself, in 1921, Oliver was originally intended as a settlement for veterans returning from the First World War, but the town was soon opened to everyone and the population grew rapidly. The first two services in Oliver townsite were held on the second Sunday in July, 1921, in a building being erected for a store. For several weeks afterwards, services were held in an old building that had been used as a Government office. Lots for a church and manse were soon selected and a garage church was set up, used for both church and school services. On January 1, 1922 a new school building was opened in which church services took place for two months until the new church building was completed. Opening services for the new church were held on March 12, 1922. Services were held for the entire pastoral charge, including Osoyoos and Okanagan falls. In June 1965, the pastoral charge was divided with Oliver and Okanagan Falls sharing one Minister and Osoyoos in another charge with its own minister. Extensive improvements and additions were made to Oliver United Church in 1948 and again in 1969. In 1998, Oliver United Church became a pastoral charge in its own right and continues to serve the Oliver community.