Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock presented Carolynn MacKay, President of the Madill Church Preservation Society (MCPS), with a $ 25,000 cheque on behalf of the municipality at the Society’s Annual General Meeting held Saturday, September 9.
The cheque was the fulfillment of the January 24, 2022, council resolution which provided a commitment of $25, 000 to the MCPS for the rehabilitation of the Madill Church building. It was provided as a matching grant funded through the Huntsville Municipal Accommodations Tax and matched by generous community donors.
“This support from the municipality was integral to the success of the MCPS’ federal government grant application from the Legacy Fund – Building Communities through Arts and Heritage,” says MacKay. “Both grants were key to our being able to preserve this heritage building and we are very grateful to everyone who donated to provide the funds needed to match the grants.”
The presentation of the cheque marks the beginning of the restoration of this historic square log building. Following the meeting, the chattels were removed for off-site storage and the wall cladding was removed in preparation for log inspection and replacement. Also removed are the church windows which have been sent to Dawson’s Glass & Mirror in Huntsville for restoration. Plywood will be placed over the windows for the winter while this work is being completed.
In her President’s report, MacKay advised all in attendance that “Replacement logs have been purchased and are being milled, adzed, and aged over the winter. In the springtime, the work will begin by log building experts to dismantle the building with removal of the roof and numbering and removal of the logs. Then a foundation will be installed before the required new and original logs are replaced along with a new roof,” said MacKay who added: “We already have our first post-restoration reservation request! Fortunately, they are flexible on the date and know the building may not be available until spring of 2025.”
“We are extremely grateful to the community and community businesses that have provided their support to this project,” notes MacKay. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Madill Church once this work is completed.”
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