It’s official. A stand alone, non-profit organization calling itself the Madill Church Preservation Society led by its president, Carolynn MacKay, will be taking over the ownership and preservation of one of Ontario’s oldest churches.
Huntsville Council agreed to cover the incorporation cost of the group and transfer the Madill Church property to the same for a total amount of $2,000, at its August 28 meeting.
“We need to support this new group and help them out in their endeavour. It’s unfortunate that as a municipality we’re not in a position to take ownership of this property and be involved in its preservation. Fortunately, we found a group who is going to be able to do that and I want to compliment them,” said Councillor Jason FitzGerald, who is chair of the Town’s Heritage Committee.
FitzGerald was also present at a public meeting held by the municipality on August 17 to gauge the community’s interest in preserving the church.
Councillor Nancy Alcock said she also attended the meeting and commended staff for a tremendous job organizing it. “I think we were very fortunate to have such a motivated and engaged turnout at the meeting that night and we’re really lucky that a group has already formed and they’re keen to get going. So I think we would show good faith on the part of the municipality to say ‘we’re happy about it and we hope that they succeed.’”
Councillor Jonathan Wiebe echoed Alcock’s comments and said he wants to see the group succeed. “This is the result we were hoping for and we got it,” he said. “Again, [I’m] proud of the community for coming together and proud of our staff for making it happen, so thank you.”
Councillor Det Schumacher asked if the $10,000 promised by the United Church of Canada, which is looking to divest itself of the property, is still on the table. “Yes,” said FitzGerald. “They’ve offered that amount to anyone who assumes the ownership or title of the property.”
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Joanne,
The Town is providing funds to assist with the incorporation of the new organization and the costs associated with transferring title. The United Church owns the building and will transfer it directly to the new group.
A little puzzled by this-how can the town transfer a property that it does not yet own? My understanding is that United Church Toronto Conference will transfer ownership once the group is incorporated.
Very happy to see this happen. Who knows where it could lead?
AWESOME, I am not certain who all is in the group but I do know that the President is a very loving and caring person. Huntsville and Canada should be proud that local citizens stepped up to the plate to help preserve a historic site of not just Huntsville but Canada. YNN you rock. love you and if there is anything I can do please let me know xoxox