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Online Heritage Inventory

Japanese Buddhist Temple

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of Japanese Buddhist Temple
Click to see full image
Type of Resource: Building
Common Name: Steva Theatre; Arts Connection Building
Address: 12191 First Avenue
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Steveston
Construction Date: 1924
Current Owner: Private
Designated: No

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
Constructed in 1924, the Japanese Buddhist Temple is a rectangular one and one-half storey gabled structure with a small front yard area fronting First Avenue in Steveston. A two-storey false front addition built over the front yard now meets the edge of the sidewalk.

 Statement of Values
The Japanese Buddhist Temple has historical associations to the history of the Japanese in Richmond. As families began to join the young men working in the fishery and canneries, a temple was needed to serve the growing Japanese population in the core of Steveston. The temple remained in active use as a place of worship until 1941 and the internment of the Japanese during World War II, and is symbolic of Japanese culture, religion and community.
The rectangular shape of the building with its short façade facing the street reflects the building’s use as a place of worship. The false front addition reflects the second use of the building as a theatre in the 1940’s.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· The design elements of the original temple building including its rectangular shape, gable roof, and horizontal row of windows on the long side of the building
· The location of the temple in the heart of Steveston
· The siting of the building on its lot, with the original front facade set back from the edge of the sidewalk.

 History
Constructed in 1924, the Japanese Buddhist Temple is a rectangular one and one-half storey gabled structure with a small front yard area fronting First Avenue in Steveston. A two-storey false front addition built over the front yard now meets the edge of the sidewalk.

 Architectural Significance
Building Type
Assembly/Retail

 Name of Architect or Builder
Unknown

 Design Features
The original portion of the building, the temple structure, is rectangular in plan with a concrete foundation. It is one and one-half storeys and has a front gable roof clad in asphalt shingle. The building cladding is currently stucco; the original cladding material is unknown. The massing of this temple portion is still discernible behind the false front. There are no visible windows except at the rear of the building where a new aluminum window has been installed. The original temple building was set back from the street which would have been a noticeable difference from the other commercial buildings in the area.
The false front addition reflects somewhat the second use of the building as a theatre building in the 1940’s. It is two storeys, with curved corners and a raised parapet that held the theatre sign. It is a mix of materials: vinyl siding, stucco, brick veneer and wood siding, and is white with a mural painted on it. The addition has a flat roof. While the flat false front is similar in massing and setback to other commercial buildings on the street, the odd shape and the colour makes it stand out from its neighbours.
The interior of the building would reflect changes in use from a religious temple, to theatre, to retail/performing arts centre.

 Construction Method
The original structure may have been post and beam reflecting early barn construction.

 Landscape Significance
(No information available)

 Integrity
Alterations
There have been several alterations to the original building including the change in cladding material of the original structure, the addition of the false front when use change to a theatre in 1947, and renovations to the false front when the building became retail in 1975.

 Original Location
Yes.

 Condition
The building appears to be in good condition.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Denise Cook, BLA, PBD (Public History)

 Date
Saturday, January 5, 2002

 Documentation
Documents
Kalheim, Debra. Heritage Inventory Form, 1977.
Ross, Leslie. Richmond, Child of the Fraser, Richmond ’79 Centennial Society, 1979.
Stacey, Duncan. Salmonopolis, The Steveston Story, Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park BC, 1994.
Takata, Toyo. Nikkei Legacy, NC Press Ltd. Toronto, 1983.
Historical Photographs
Aerial Photograph No. A4508-38 dated 1932, Geographic Information Centre, UBC.
Location and Type of Plans Found
Steveston riverfront and business district land use map-1969. Miscellaneous Planning Department Maps, Item #1987 25 22, Richmond Archives.
Waterworks Atlas Map of Steveston Townsite area south of Chatham Street, including the waterfront, 1936. Item #1991 40 18, Richmond Archives.

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