Three years after a fire destroyed the 128-year-old Knox Church in Cannington, Ont., the congregation has risen from the ashes, joining with nearby Beaverton to form Beacon Presbyterian Church. The two congregations merged last June, and were officially dedicated on Oct. 3.
The new congregation will worship in a brand new building – scheduled to open this summer – measuring 12,600 square feet. The facility, which stands on the former Beaverton site, will be a community hub with a gymnasium and multi-purpose space, and is intended to attract youth in the area.
The congregation is planning on hiring a youth pastor to help meet the needs of kids and teens in the township. Currently, there are about 37 youth and kids in the congregation, and about 200 people in total.
The new building – dubbed “the church that meets your needs” – is creating buzz in both the Cannington and Beaverton communities; Rev. Barney Grace, who marked 14 years of ministry at Beaverton in November, said they have already had some visitors, and each week there is higher attendance at the Sunday service.
“As the new building is being built, the coming together [of the two congregations] is more and more cohesive,” said Grace. “Before, it was just a conversation, but as the roof and windows go up, there is more excitement.”
Beaverton had begun talking about a new building back in 2002, but the idea was put on hold for various reasons. Cannington first approached Beaverton several months before the fire, and talks went forward to begin both the merger and construction following the disaster. In Feb. 2009, Cannington voted unanimously to amalgamate. They then distributed $200,000 to various needy causes as a legacy of the church. Cannington’s property was maintained, and will become a community park.
The new building will feature a foyer with memorabilia from both congregations, including a Bible saved from the fire at Cannington, and items that were hidden away in time capsules at each church. – AM
