Historic Church at Skatin BC, (formerly Skookumchuck)

Skatin Church - another beautiful artifact built in 1906 and 1907 - walking inside, the stained glass in bright primary colors transmits light on the old benches and alter. This is the oldest native church in British Columbia.

A look at the spires outside the Skookumchuck Church - This historic church is maintained by the natives who live here and is funded exclusively by visitors who leave donations. The inside of the church is colorful but simple - everything inside and out has been hand crafted by the folks who live here.

Skookumchuck is a very small town supporting a few hundred natives but there is a satellite phone located in the village (home of the Skati'n band) "It has the big satellite dish out in front - at the bottom of the hill - entrance road." According to Leslie, a native fishing guide in these parts, this town was first settled in the 1880's as a stop over between Mt Currie and Port Douglas for trading (during the gold Rush).

Leslie also informed us that the Skati'n band are finally settling land clams here with the BC Government - "Soon as that is done, we will control the area between Kilometer 20 and Douglas (on both sides of the Lillooet River). This will stop logging and mining which has been damaging the environment, and end illegal fishing. I remember as a child, when I could look out (from Skookumchuck town) to Lillooet River and see it writhing with fish." With a chuckle he adds, " I thought that I might cross the river on the fish without getting wet."

Leslie dreams of creating a native style hotel near St Agnes Well to provide a place for tourists to stay while enjoying the hotsprings and back country fishing tours.

Dear Sir, The Ama Liisaos Heritage Trust Society is the non-profit organization
that is implementing conservation project on the Church of the Holy
Cross located in Skatin (formerly known as Skookumchuck). I would
like to say your photo and sentiments regarding the church are lovely.

For your information: The church was started in the late 1880's and
completed in 1905. The engineer report completed indicates there are
serious structural problems with the foundation and the towers.
Estimates are over 200,000 dollars to do this phase. Conservation
report divided the work into four phases with a total cost of half a
million dollars.

We are in the process of fundraising for the church, and your sale of
photos of our Church of the Holy Cross competes with our own
fundraising efforts. Please respect our Society's need to raise
monies on behalf of the Church of the Holy Cross. Most of our society
is made up of the descendants of the Church Builders; and those
non-natives interested in our culture (Stl'atl'imx) and in perserving
this Canadian National Historic Site (1981).

Sincerely,
Yvonne Peters,
Vice-President Ama Liisaos Heritage Trust Society