When the Gur Sikh Temple opened in Abbotsford in 1911, there were only 2,300 Sikhs in all of British Columbia.
On Sunday, at least that many people showed up for a parade celebrating its 100 years of serving the community.
The gurdwara, believed to be the oldest still-standing Sikh temple in North America, opened the doors to its archives on the main floor so people could see photographs from the community's long history.
Pioneers working in B.C.'s forestry and farming industries began building the temple in 1908, using lumber donated by a local mill. At that time, Sikhs in Canada were nearly all men because immigration policies restricted their wives and children from joining them in the country.
"This temple is a great gift to the Sikh community," said Gurdev Sidhu, 71, as he stood chatting with friends outside the simple white, three-storey building.
"I came into this country in 1969 and settled in Mission. At that time, we struggled to get more people, to provide more services, and we've come a long way."
Free samosas and water bottles were handed out as the parade wound its way from the temple down South Fraser Way to Rotary Stadium, where speakers continued the celebration.
