St. Michael’s and All Angels Chapel and Performance Centre

Located in the heart of the old Balfour townsite, the site chosen for St. Michael’s was selected by the first Bishop of New Westminster, the Right Rev. Acton W. Sillitoe in 1892 and the first service held in the new church was on Dec. 26 of that year. It was the first original church built in Balfour, and is not only one of the oldest in the Kootenays, but one of the oldest wood frame structures still in use between Nelson and Kaslo. 

The quaint building, with its steeple and the distinctive circular, stained-glass window above the entranceway, has stood quietly as the backdrop for many local events over the years. It has always been a community church. It was a place of lodging for the Ktunaxa people when they were in the area during annual fishing trips. It withstood the record flood of 1894, when water was said to be lapping at the foot of the church steps.

This church is available for rentals for weddings, special occasions and small performances.

To learn more about the story and history of this beautiful heritage building you can read this article from the Nelson Star News.