As construction is about to begin on a new food bank and housing facility in Summerland, a church on Henry Avenue is about to move to a new location.

The new building is to be constructed at 13204 and 13214 Henry Ave., which includes the site of the Summerland United Church building.

However, Anne Ellis, minister at the church, said the church is not closing or disbanding.

Instead, the church will hold its services and meetings at the St. Stephen Anglican Church building, 9311 Prairie Valley Road.

The last service in the present United Church building will be on Sunday, Oct. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. After the service, members will walk together along Main Street to St. Stephen Anglican Church, where they will be greeted by members of that congregation.

She said the mood at the church has been bittersweet, as the church has had a long presence in its Henry Avenue location.

The first United Church in Summerland began in 1910. A building on what is now Henry Avenue was constructed in 1911 and a portion of that building remains today. 

鈥淚t has served the community well for more than 100 years,鈥� Ellis said.

The present sanctuary was constructed in 1984.

Many within the church and in the community have associated the church with its present location. The church has between 40 and 60 people attending its Sunday morning services.

The decision to move out of the present location comes from the church鈥檚 call statement, which references sharing material and spiritual resources to lessen hunger, homelessness and loneliness in the community.

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying as a church in this community to meet the needs of this community,鈥� Ellis said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e closing the building, but we鈥檙e not disbanding the faith community.鈥�

For more than six years, efforts have been ongoing to have a new food bank facility and a housing facility in the core of the community of Summerland.

The new location will not result in a blending of the two churches. Instead, the United Church will hold its Sunday services at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Anglican Church鈥檚 services at 11 a.m.

The two congregations will also hold other events and meetings within the same location.

Before the move, the United Church will hold a garage sale on Sept. 28, selling furniture, bookcases and other items the congregation will not be moving.

The Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre, now housed in the basement of Summerland United Church, will be moving to a temporary location at Summerland Alliance Church, 14820 Victoria Rd. N.

The sale of the United Church property and the adjoining property, owned by the food bank, is expected to be completed by Oct. 31. Demolition of the site will begin in November, followed by work on constructing the new building.

Turning Points Collaborative Service has been working with the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre to develop the project.

Once it is completed, the new facility will have 60 units of affordable housing, with the food bank on the main floor of the five-storey building.