Heritage / History

Kelowna became a city in 1905 with a population of 600 people. Its name comes from the story of August Gillard, an early settler who crawled from an underground shelter just as a group of Indians passed by. The Indians called out, “Kim-ach-touch”, meaning Brown Bear. Over time, when an easier to pronounce word was sought, this became Kelowna, meaning Grizzly Bear.

The Sylix people are the indigenous people of the Kelowna area and have inhabited this area continuously since humans first came to what is now called the Okanagan. The original territory of the Sylix people extended to the north, past present day Revelstoke, Wibur, Washington to the south, east of Kootenay Lake and west to the Nicola valley. This enormous area contained a wide range of geographic terrain, and was the traditional gathering, hunting and homeland of eight groups within the Sylix Nation.

All eight groups spoke the Sylix language. They shared a deep reverence for the land and the gifts of sustenance, connection and community it provided. This reverence for life and the Ancestral knowledge of living in harmony with the earth have been shared with each generation through a rich oral history, including story, song, dance and instruction.

Presently the Sylix people have established an extensive network of nation - wide connections to retain hereditary knowledge, First Nations languages and the continued connection to the land that sustains us all. The Sylix are now commonly referred to as the Okanagan. They have created social, educational, economic, tourism, recreation, and celebration programs to enliven the culture that came close to disappearing when European settlers entered the area.

In 1859 three Oblate missionaries came to the Kelowna region, recognizing it as a great settlement area.

Father Pandosy was the most famous of these missionaries; the restored remains of his mission are a heritage attraction today at Mission Provincial Heritage Site in south Kelowna. Father Pandosy started his mission (which was the site of the first vineyard and orchard in the Okanagan valley) in order to convert natives, traders and new settlers. At its peak it encompassed over 2000 acres. By 1908, however, the mission was sold and dismantled. By the 1950´s it had degenerated into a sorry state. Saved by historical revivalists, it is now a Provincial Heritage Site.

The Benvoulin Heritage Church was originally a Presbyterian Church. It was built in 1892 in the Gothic Revival style, and served the community until 1964. The original tower was replaced in 1953, and the steeple was replaced during restoration in the early 1980´s. Benvoulin Church is located at what was once the Benvoulin Town site, which was laid out by pioneer land promoter, Mr. G. G. McKay. This is also the site of the McIver House (1890´s), one of the city´s unique heritage settings. It is also home to Xeriscape and Heritage Gardens.

Restored in 1986, this charming pioneer church has become one of the most popular locations for weddings. Though right in the city, it offers a historical location in a country setting. The tall steeple on this white ship-lap building has been a local landmark for over a century.