Until it closed in 2006, it was the oldest continuously used Buddhist shrine in Canada.

It was built by Latter-day Saint settlers of Raymond and was initially used as the settlement's first schoolhouse.

[1] In 1929, Japanese Canadian members of the Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist faith purchased the building to use a temple, schoolhouse, and meeting place.

[2] Beginning in 1932, a co-operative store known as the "Kobai Kumiai" also operated out of the building.

[1] It is the oldest building in Raymond and in 1984 was added to the Alberta Register of Historic Places.