St. Paul's United Church Rev. Michelle Armstrong says her congregation is experiencing the quintessential church story – death and resurrection, struggle and new life – with the sale of its historic space.
Armstrong said church members didn't take the decision to sell lightly, as many have a multi-generational connection to the national historic site. Carole Peacock, who has attended for 80 years, remembers when the congregation was so big the church had to offer two services on Sunday. "Always something going on, morning, noon and night," she said, sitting in a pew beneath one of the large glass windows.
Carole Peacock has been coming to St. Paul's United Church for about 80 years. (Sam Farley/CBC) "People would fill every seat.
People were sitting on the stairs until the fire marshal found out and said we couldn't do that anymore." The large stone building, with a tall spire that can be seen throughout the downtown south side, can seat around 1,000. But, according to Armstrong, the number of attendees for Sunday service has shrunk to about 50 – and the congregation is made up mostly of seniors.
That's created a difficult situation, Armstrong said, as the old building requires $2 million in roof repairs. She said that is too expensive for a small congregation. The interior of St.
Paul's United Church is shown. (Sam Farley/CBC) While the church board and members looked at several options, it was decided by congregation vote to sell the building and join Saint Andrew's P.
