Christ Church, the oldest church on B.C.’s mainland, will again be the focus of floral arts.
The second annual Flower Festival is scheduled to start on June 25 with tea, tours and displays.
“Guests can enjoy tea, refreshments and guided tours through our decorated heritage church at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.,” said Joan Sjovold, event organizer.
The day will also feature displays and sales by local art vendors from 1-4 p.m.
The theme of this year’s flower festival is the natural beauty of Hope – a theme that was inspired in honour of Christ Church celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
“Christ Church completed a large renovation and exhibit creation projects this past winter; through this process we discovered remarkable quotes in letters and diary entries about the wonder and beauty of Hope’s location. It is there entries that formed the inspiration for the flower displays. In addition, excerpts from these entries will be on display with their corresponding arrangement,” said Sjovold.
The renovation project was funded in part through the National Historic Sites cost sharing program.
The site will remain decorated for the remainder of the week and on Sunday there will be a special Songs of Praise service at 7 p.m. at Christ Church, by donation.
“The theme of the second annual Flower Festival was inspired in part by our 150th anniversary. Hope, in 1859, was thought to be a major transportation hub due to its location and setting. By 1861, when the church was completed, it became obvious that this was no longer the case as only 20 people and two businesses were left in town!” explained Sjovold.
“But, the church was completed – largely on faith that a setting such as Hope would once again feature prominently on the landscape.”
Tickets for the tour and tea are on sale at Pharmasave and Christ Church National Historic Site. The site will be open for tours at a special rate until July 1. July 1 will also offer the vocational sensation Hexaphone from Victoria – live in concert at Christ Church at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Pharmasave or Romano’s