One of Kamloops’ most treasured heritage buildings is welcoming the public once again after undergoing a major restoration following a devastating fire nearly two years ago.

The City of Kamloops announced Monday that St. Andrew’s on the Square has officially reopened after extensive repairs and upgrades restored the 1887 landmark to its former condition while modernizing the space for future community use.

The restoration project, valued at $1.1 million, followed significant fire, smoke and water damage sustained in May 2024. City officials say the work carefully balanced preserving the building’s historic character with improving accessibility, functionality and technology.

“St. Andrew’s on the Square is a little jewel box cared for in the heart of the city,” said Julia Cyr, the City’s Museum Supervisor. “A blend of historic heritage, functionality, and community-driven, intentional design, buildings like St. Andrew’s reflect the spirit of collaboration as a warm and welcoming space for all.”

Originally built in 1887, St. Andrew’s is recognized as the oldest public building in Kamloops and has long served as a venue for weddings, ceremonies, performances and community gatherings.

The restoration effort was led by the City’s Capital Projects team in partnership with Reimagine Architects and local heritage groups. Upgrades include restored heritage features, modernized event and live-streaming technology, improved accessibility, enhanced security systems and redesigned gathering spaces.

Inside the venue, visitors will find original historic pews, heritage-inspired trim and finishes, period lighting and stained-glass artwork created by local artist Sheila Dunn. Archival photographs from the Kamloops Museum and Archives are also featured throughout the space.

New additions include a gender-neutral washroom and a quiet family area aimed at making the facility more inclusive and accessible.

While many wedding photographs that once lined the walls were destroyed by water damage after the fire, the City says a new digital display will help continue the tradition. Residents are invited to submit wedding photos taken at the venue for inclusion in the exhibit by emailing standrewsweddingphotos@kamloops.ca.

To celebrate the reopening, the Kamloops Museum and Archives will host free public tours of the building on Saturday, May 23. Tours will depart from the Museum booth at the Farmers’ Market at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon, with additional tours leaving from the Museum’s front desk at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The venue is also reopening for bookings beginning June 1 for weddings, family gatherings, cultural events, celebrations of life, performances and meetings.

“Like a phoenix, St Andrew’s has risen twice,” said Andrew Yarmie, a member of the City’s Heritage Engagement Group. “Due to vacancies and neglect, the church nearly succumbed to demolition in the 1990s and then to a fire in 2024. First through the efforts of the Kamloops Heritage Society, and next the City of Kamloops, the facility has been restored to a high standard and remains a cornerstone of our heritage and community.”

More information about St. Andrew’s on the Square is available through the City of Kamloops website.