The Knights of Columbus have been busy helping to bring St. Rita’s church back to Castlegar.
The church was a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nelson, and was destroyed by arsonists early 2013.
Since then arrangements have been made to resurrect the church and early Tuesday morning, the cement pouring began.
The cost of rebuilding the church would amount to around $1.7 million but Grand Knight, Fred Dallas said, “We had insurance, so that paid for the church, but the interior is coming from people in the parish.”
“Ya know, the pews and the altar and all the rest of that good stuff.”
Furthermore, the Knights have put together a nativity scene for this Christmas.
“We built a nativity scene to replace the one that got burnt in the church,” said Dallas.
The scene was built by Dave Miner of Castlegar and cost $3,000 dollars. The money was raised by dinners hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
In addition to the church, the Knights provide bursaries for students, give money to charities such as muscular dystrophy and donate to the salvation army.
“We raise money because it’s something to do and everyone looks forward to doing it.”
Dallas continued, “It’s just one of those things you have to do. We live here and we should enjoy what we’re doing.”