Cannington firm hired to triple the size of the church
Jun 09, 2009 - 11:36 AM
Scott Howard
Last Sunday, the service at Beaverton Presbyterian Church was more joyful than normal.
Parishioners were surprised to hear that that the $2-million reconstruction of the church will begin in March 2010, with an expected completion date a year later.
According to Jim Hughes, co-chair of the church's development committee, the church has hired Cannington-based Edwin Barkey Construction Ltd. to oversee the expansion.
"We felt it was most important to provide an opportunity for local employment by utilizing local trades," he said.
Rev. Barney Grace expanded on that thought, saying the church is "for the people, by the people."
The new church will be 12,600 square feet in size, nearly triple the size of the current building. Rev. Grace said that roughly two thirds of the new church will be available for use to the public through a youth centre and gymnasium, a banquet hall and meeting rooms.
Mr. Hughes and Rev. Grace envision the church as a focal point in the community, particularly for local youth.
"The excitement is building," Mr. Hughes said.
But in order to make that vision a reality, community support is most certainly needed.
A pair of new fundraising initiatives have been recently rolled out.
For $100, local residents can purchase a brick from the current building that will be outfitted with a plaque listing the donor. Those bricks -- 1,020 in all -- will be used to build a "memorial heritage wall" in the boardroom of the new church.
While just introduced on Sunday, the fundraiser has already been met with interest from the congregation.
"We had 14 people lined up after the service," said Mr. Hughes.
But there's also another option for those who might donate a little more. Those looking to donate enough to pay for a room in the new church can have that room named after them.
Those are just two of the ways church officials are hoping to offset the reconstruction costs.
Rev. Grace said the church will also be applying for grants from both the public and private sector, while Mr. Hughes noted that donations can also be made on the church's website -- www.beavertonpresbyterianchurch.com.
For more information on purchasing a brick for the Memorial Heritage Wall, call 705-426-4646.
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