R. J. Haney Heritage Park ~ Buildings ~ Church

Church life played an important role in early Salmon Arm. One of the first churches constructed in the area was the Methodist Church at Hedgeman's Corner. It was situated at what is now the corner of 30th Street and the Trans Canada Highway. The manse is still standing on the site.

When farmers in the Salmon River Valley thought Hedgeman's Corner was too distant, they decided to build their own church at what is now the corner of Foothill Road and Salmon Valley Road. Known as the Mt. Ida Church, it was a virtual twin to the church at Hedgeman's Corner. The first services took place in 1911 and the church was in continuous use by different denominations until the mid 1970's.

The property went into private hands and the owners, hoping to build on the site, offered the church to the Salmon Arm Museum providing the building was removed by July 1, 1988. After a concentrated fundraising campaign, the church was moved in January on a cold and snowy night. Moving at walking pace through Salmon Arm at 3:00 in the morning, it finally arrived safely at its present home at Haney Heritage Park. A year later it was restored and made available for weddings.