St. Joseph’s Church, Field B.C.
A landmark worth saving, for a community worth celebrating.
Help Restore St. Joseph’s Church - A Beloved Piece of Field’s Heritage
Standing tall beneath the towering presence of Mount Stephen, St. Joseph’s Church has been part of the heart and soul of Field, B.C. since 1908. Built by the town’s early Italian immigrant community, this Carpenter Gothic gem has served as a place of gathering, worship, and celebration for generations. For 117 years, it has been a symbol of resilience, identity, and pride, and one of the most photographed buildings in Yoho National Park.
But time has taken its toll.
After its use declined in the mid-1980s, the Church fell into disrepair. Today, it needs urgent structural upgrades, a new foundation, a rebuilt exterior staircase, and floor replacement to be safe and usable once again.
In 2017, the Catholic Diocese of Nelson gifted the Church to the Field Recreation Advisory Association (FRAA), a local non-profit that has led Field’s community programming since 1985. Now, in partnership with the Golden & District Community Foundation (GDCF), the FRAA is working to bring the Church back to life.
Your Support is Needed Now!
Major project funding is expected from Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and the Province of B.C., but immediate help is needed to cover $20,000 in initial costs such as engineered drawings and permits.
This fundraiser is not just a financial necessity, it’s a signal of community support, showing granting bodies that the people of Field care deeply about preserving their history.
A Vision for the Future.
A Living Legacy.
From weddings in the '60s to Christmas masses in the '70s, memories of St. Joseph’s run deep. Former resident Doug Currie, the last high school graduate from Field in 1966, recalls the joy and connection that filled the Church. Others, like Tony Acari, who served as an altar boy in the '70s, and Liz Colonna Winters, who had a red serge RCMP wedding there in 1978, hold it close in their hearts.
Even today, the Church remains a beloved backdrop for spontaneous elopements and local photo opportunities.
Though Field is small, its spirit is mighty. From the annual Yoho Blow Days winter festival to the water-balloon-soaked Canada Day celebrations, this is a community that knows how to celebrate, support one another, and embrace its unique character.
The goal is to return St. Joseph’s to its roots as a vibrant community space - a place for music nights, local gatherings, weddings, and entrepreneurial events. Once restored, the Church will also be available for rental, generating vital revenue to support ongoing community programming. With strong demand for weddings in Field, this project promises to bring new economic opportunities to the community through the FRAA, and celebrate the area’s rich history.
How to Donate
When you donate through Canada Helps, a 4% administration fee is applied. However, donating directly to our Foundation via e-transfer, cheque, cash, or bank transfer reduces that fee to just 1%, meaning more of your gift goes directly to supporting the community.
E-transfer donations to: admin@goldencommunityfoundation.ca (preferred, only 1% admin fee)
Send cash or cheque to P.O. Box 981 Golden B.C. V0A 1H7 to Church Restoration in Field Fund
Give through Canada Helps (4% fee)
All donations will receive charitable tax receipts.