During the post-WW II period from 1947-53, many Protestant families immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands. Once it was determined that there were no doctrinally similar churches to join in many places, Canadian Reformed churches began to be instituted across the country. A church was instituted in Houston, BC, in 1951. In 1952 there were two families and two single persons in the Smithers-Telkwa area that came together on Sundays. The "mother" church at Houston encouraged and assisted them during this period. As more families arrived from Ontario and the Netherlands, the homes became too small to gather in and the house congregation rented a church building in Smithers.

On April 15th, 1956 the Canadian Reformed Church of Smithers was instituted and by December 23rd, 1956 we had built our own church building on 4th Avenue in Smithers. With our LORD's guidance, by 1965 church membership had reached 200. June, 1966 saw the purchase of twelve lots up on 15th Avenue, and a new church building was planned, with an estimated cost of around $50,000.00. On September 27th, 1968 we had the official opening of this new church building. In 1969 the membership also set up the Ebenezer Canadian Reformed School and has continued to support it since then. It currently has around 130 students in grades K-12.

After 30 years of steady growth the church building on 15th Ave. was becoming too small, and the issue of accessibility for disabled members had to be addressed, so various plans were made to renovate or improve it. After it was concluded that none would be satisfactory, efforts were made to locate a new place to worship. In 2006 we purchased the Alliance Church building just east of town, and extensive renovations were immediately undertaken to meet the needs of the congregation. We are currently worshipping at this location, and the congregation now has over 400 members.

Over the years this church of Smithers has been blessed with many pastors, elders, deacons, and teachers. The congregation listened to and studied God's Word together, sang songs of praise and celebrated the Lord's Supper. Children and adults were baptized, adults publicly professed their faith, marriages were solemnized, and funerals were performed. Mission work among the local aboriginal people and abroad, and organizations helping the handicapped and elderly were supported then as are now.

With the guidance of our LORD we will continue in the way of Jesus Christ and hold fast to God's Word in a world of unbelief. We pray that in the coming years we will put our trust in God alone. Whatever the future may bring, we will be safe in His Fatherly hand.

(More detailed information on the history of our local congregation can be found in the 25th and 50th Anniversary publications, available at the Church library or upon request.)