Sat Sri Akal (Greetings). “ We’re going to show the world that Mission welcomes people from diverse cultural backgrounds.” These were the words of then Mission Gur Sikh Society director Erwin Braich, who was instrumental in the development of the Mission Sikh Temple on Rai Avenue. This fall on November 18th will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Mission Gur Sikh Society.
The Sikh community has had a long history in Mission, for over a century and are involved in many facets of community life. With no membership required finding peace and quite at the temple in not difficult. My family has held many services (Langar) or open kitchen for worshippers to gather and pray. They are two floors at the temple, with the kitchen and eating area on the bottom and the main prayer hall on the top. When worshippers enter the prayer hall everyone must have there heads covered and seated on the floor. Men and women sit on opposite sides. The Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Scriptures), which has 1430 pages and takes 48 hours to read is placed on a raised platform to show their preeminence. They are four entrances marking the four geographical regions of the globe. The Sikh religion developed out of the Hindu roots, and brought several important roots. The Sikhs did away from the caste system and everyone is treated equally.
The 19,920 square-foot temple was started in the spring of 1988, Mike Meeker and his wife Barbara, who helped design the building, were involved in the entire process from start to finish. Almost 50 companies were involved in the construction of the 2.8 million temple. Mike Meeker said twenty years ago, “ I’ve lived in the community for some 50 years and I’m proud to have been part of creating something so beautiful and unique.”
Where can you go in the day and see the beautiful architect and breathtaking landscape with Mount Baker in the distance or seeing the glow against the night sky.
I recall attending the opening day in 1989, along with the thousands of worshippers. For many, witnessing the dedication gave them a true sense of community and belonging. For so long, many had to travel to Abbotsford and throughout the Lower mainland to attend temple services and marriage ceremonies. In the Sikh religion, a temple is far more than a place of worship-- it’s a cultural centre.
Some still share views that the temple is located in the wrong place taking away from Mission’s limited tax base. I however, happen to differ with this outdated argument. The Temple has actually added to the social fabric of our existing tax base in a way that it has brought our community together. People from all parts of the province make Mission their destination either to get married or to have their services conducted at the temple. They are approximately 30-40 marriages, held throughout the year.
Gur Sikh Society president and Mission City Councilor Terry Gidda, who has done a magnificent job in managing the temple along with his board said: “we are planning on celebrating this anniversary on November 6,7,8. The Holy Scriptures will be read and a Langar will be served during these dates.” The entire community is welcome to attend, said Gidda.
Abbotsford/Mission MLA Randy Hawes, who sat on Mission City Councilor when the temple was built said: “Congratulations to the entire community on the 20th anniversary of the Mission Sikh Temple. The temple is a cultural and religious centre piece of Mission and everyone, Sikh and non-Sikh alike, should take great pride in how it is open and welcoming to all people. Thank you, to the Mission Gur Sikh Society, for all you do to make Mission a more culturally inclusive place.”
One individual who will be sadly missed at the fall anniversary is Major Singh Rai one of the founding members, who was unfortunately was killed in a car accident in India in 2004. The street where the temple currently resides is named in his memory
The temple is a visual reminder that when I drive back to Mission and look towards the right, I know I made it home. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa ( Khalsa belongs to God). Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ( Victory belongs to God).
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