St. Catharines’ oldest church in need of funds
July 15, 2012 by Chloe
One of the city’s oldest churches is undergoing a massive restoration effort to repair the water-damaged bricks and walls. Silver Spire United Church is a designated heritage building under the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s rating system and is one of the city’s treasures.
Surviving fires in 1876 and 1962, the church is simply getting old. The bricks have become damaged over the last 150 years by weathering and by gutters that leaked inside the wall. Some of the bricks were so deteriorated that they could be removed by hand, prompting concern for the safety of parishioners and tourists from church officials.
A few months ago, the church started a ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign to help offset the restoration costs. Bricks are being sold for $100 each, with a fund raising goal of $100,000. The church is a little more than halfway there and hopes that the community will pitch in to save the heritage building.
With a total restoration cost of $550,000, church officials may consider attempting to reach out to locals through advertising, such as flyer printing, poster printing, and brochure printing. Printing companies who specialize in graphic design could help in this type of promotional effort, as a greater response is likely if the materials are professional and eye-catching.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the fundraising effort or donating to the cause can contact the church by telephone or visit their website. Silver Spire United Church is a landmark in the community and part of the city’s rich and profound heritage.
