Jada Christensen, from Langley, B.C. arrived in Castlegar as a stranger, but in a few short weeks it has become her second home.
“I love it here – the people are so friendly! Small communities just take your heart away,” she says.
Christensen is one of over 300 people volunteering their time to carry out a major renovation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Castlegar.
The meeting place and Bible education centre at 1680 Woodland Drive has been a fixture in Castlegar since 1989. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been part of the community since 1955. A congregation was formed in 1959, and the first Kingdom Hall was built in 1963. Although the hall had been expanded to accommodate growing numbers, by the 1980s the need for something larger had become apparent.
In 1989, construction began on the Woodland Drive site. Four months of preliminary work prepared the foundation and basement. Finally, on Sept. 16, the site was ready for hundreds of eager volunteers. By the following evening, a completed Kingdom Hall had been erected.
John Kisielewski of Castlegar worked on that project too.
“Working shoulder to shoulder with volunteers from so many places has deepened our unity and love. Seeing so many put their lives on hold to come and help us has been so encouraging.” he says.
Even at 89, John is still pitching in and can be found on current work site most days.
The current project began on Aug. 20 and is being accomplished entirely by unpaid volunteers. Of those, 223 have travelled here at their own expense from as far away as Slave Lake, Alberta, lending their skills to help their brothers and sisters here in Castlegar. Visitors have been warmly welcomed and cared for largely by the local congregation.
The work is encompassing every aspect of the building. A new energy-efficient HVAC system and heat recovery ventilator will produce a healthier public space. LED lighting, along with new doors and windows will further increase energy efficiency. Audio/video improvements will bring the Bible to life, appeal to the heart, and enhance learning.
The complete redesign of the interior improves function and accessibility for all. New paint, carpeting, tile and seating round out the project. The result will be an inviting, comfortable space to worship and learn.
“I feel a real sense of accomplishment with what the volunteers are doing here. We hope the people of Castlegar will view our place of worship as a credit to this beautiful community,” says James Robinson who is overseeing the project.
The remaining volunteers will head home when the project wraps up at the end of December. They take with them a sense of accomplishment and fond memories of the people, the unique culture and the beauty of Castlegar. Weekly meetings for Bible education and worship are held at the Castlegar Kingdom Hall each Sunday at 10 a.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. Meetings will resume in January 2025 when construction completes.
All in the community are invited to attend and see the volunteers’ labour of love.
