Submitted by the Board of Trustees of Madill United Church
The following statement is being made in response to the misinformation and rumours that are circulating about Madill Church.
Madill Pioneer Church and a small area around it, excluding the cemetery, is owned by the United Church of Canada, not by the Town of Huntsville and not by Trinity United Church in Huntsville. Trinity has no jurisdiction over it. The only connection is that most of the Madill Board members are also members of Trinity and acting on behalf of Living Waters Presbytery of the United Church of Canada. Prior to this article, the information that is circulating did not come from the members of the Madill Board of Trustees nor was it authorized by them.
The Board has worked very hard over many years to keep Madill in good condition. However, because of its age, there are many structural problems. Over the past year, a construction group and engineer were consulted to examine the building and provide a report on its status. Members of the Board were saddened and shocked to learn the extent of the deterioration of the logs, the stone foundation and the building supports. The cost of doing the repairs could be as high as $300,000 or more. We presently have about $20,000 in our funds and the total is well beyond our ability to raise. In the meantime, there are serious liability issues as the structure continues to deteriorate.
The Trustees held some very serious discussions about possible renovations. Even if, by some miracle, we were able to acquire that sum, is it ethical to spend that kind of money on a building that is used very rarely beyond the one service every summer which about 30 to 40 people attend? There are many other local significant and worthy demands for people’s donations: Fairvern, the hospital, Hospice, the public library and so on, all of which would seem to be better recipients of this amount of money than a seldom used, rapidly deteriorating log church, no matter how much it holds great sentimental value for many people. We have struggled with how we could justify this massive expense.
The Board decided to keep all of this confidential until Presbytery made its recommendations and we had further consultations before making a final decision, in order to avoid vandalism, liability and false rumours being spread throughout the community. When the decisions were finalized, we planned to then give a factual and carefully constructed statement to the public explaining what had to be done and why. The Board deeply regrets the manner in which this subject was prematurely released on social media without any consultation with the Board or knowledge about the process in which the Board was already deeply involved. This is not the way we would choose to deal with such a sensitive and emotional issue and we understand why people are upset.
We fully recognize that this is a serious and very difficult decision for many reasons. However, ultimately it is not ours to make. That must be done by Living Waters Presbytery on behalf of the United Church of Canada who is the owner of this building and a small area of surrounding land. We met with representatives of their committee in June and turned over all the structural reports and information to them. This week they informed us that they are giving us permission to proceed with demolition unless the town of Huntsville is willing to take it over. None of this affects the cemetery in any way since it is already owned and maintained by the town. [ED: Note that, as the church is on the Town’s list of Properties of Heritage Interest, the request to demolish the building must first go to the Heritage Committee and then to Town Council for consideration. Read more here.]
We are deeply aware of the historical importance of this building and the emotional ties that families and individuals in the area have towards it. No one wants to see it go. However, nothing lasts forever.
If it is torn down, our intention is to erect a fitting memorial plaque on the site. The memories connected with the building will live on regardless of what happens to its physical presence. The lasting influence of the pioneers who built it and worshipped there also lives on in the lives of their descendants.
Trustees of Madill United Church: Doris Monahan (Chair), Joanne Purchase, Allen Spiers, Paul Stephen, Carol Stevens, Joyce White
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wendy brown says
The thing that gets me is it’s not just their decision as to whether it’s important to others in the town. Look at some of the people who have relatives buried near it . I’m sure if it’s so dangerous and a liability then perhaps the United Church should get some of its money and repair it. If the town can scrounge up money to sponsor Syrian people, not that I care what they do with their money, but if they can do that then they should be able to scrounge up money for our heritage.
Roy Coker says
The heritage fund spends millions on renovating Heritage buildings. They need to apply
Derek Shelly says
Firstly, i apologize once again to the dedicated group of Trustees. They have and continue to work in the best interest of this wonderful heritage treasure.
Personally, I have a great desire to see this place preserved but know that the Trustees are even more determined to do what is best. They have my full support.
CARLY FARMER says
The national trust for Canada has many resources and expertise to help with projects like this. There are also engineers and architects and contractors who can volunteer their time through the launch pad program. Check it out, please. This is such a beautiful building. Also it is a good opportunity for student projects for people like myself. Carleton university is developing a lot of expertise in this area and has many top notch professors who may help. There are lots of good resources out there. Don’t give up now.