People and Places is really about transitions; some of which are hard, some welcomed. St. Andrew’s, Newmarket, Ont., has a great story to tell, and the details of it are on our website. The short version is about paying for renovations and an extension that began in 1992. Last November the congregation burned the mortgage papers. From left: John Hopkins, chair facilities committee with George Smith, clerk of session; in the background from left, former minister Rev. Angus McGillivray, Kathleen McGillivray, Irene Howard, Marg Rawson and Elizabeth Sharpe.
At the cake: Rev. John Henderson current minister, Rev. Laura Duggan, Associate Minister, Rev. Angus McGillivray former minister, 1984 – 2001.
Sunday November 25th 173 year old St. Andrew’s held a service of Thanksgiving on the retirement of their Mortgage. In 1992 the congregation erected 10,000 sq. ft of new facilities including a new sanctuary, seating 300, a lounge, offices, new kitchen, classrooms, storage areas, upgrades to washrooms and an elevator. In addition 5,000 sq ft of renovations to the existing church hall were completed. The project cost $1.4million. The congregation raised $650,000 leaving a mortgage of $750,000. During the years the mortgage was being paid the congregation spent an addition $128,000 on roof and steeple repairs and manse renovations. The new facilities are attached to the still used previous building built in 1874.
One interesting historical note is that the first Church building was completed in 1838. During its construction government forces housed the rebels of 1837 so that the congregation couldn’t use the building!
