The Salmon Arm community is rallying around the family of a murdered church elder.

Gordon Parmenter was gunned down on Sunday at an event at the Church of Christ.

Since then, a GoFundMe page has been created entitled the "Parmenter Memorial Fund".

"We lost a husband, a father (of various manifestations grand, great grand, foster, and father to some who are fatherless), our friend, our mentor and our patriarch," the page states. "He made a powerful impact on all who knew him and if you knew him you know of his love and his affection fuelled by his faith in Jesus Christ."

The page also describes his wife Peggy as "heartbroken but strong like a tower".

All funds will go to support her.

As of this writing, the page has raised nearly $5,000 toward a goal of $10,000.

Another man was seriously injured in the attack. 

"This was a senseless event, though the only thing that makes sense is to honor Gord by loving others just as his Jesus did," the web page states. "We regard his attacker and his family with love, not hostility as Jesus loved those who nailed him to the cross."

Matrix Savage Gathergood, 25, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and intent to commit an indictable offence.