{"id":30047,"date":"2017-04-26T06:34:14","date_gmt":"2017-04-26T10:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=30047"},"modified":"2017-04-26T13:52:43","modified_gmt":"2017-04-26T17:52:43","slug":"st-johns-close-last-service-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/st-johns-close-last-service-sunday\/","title":{"rendered":"St. John’s to close, last service this Sunday"},"content":{"rendered":"

There will be many heavy hearts this Sunday as the last worship service takes place at the century-old St. John the Baptist Anglican Church on Ravenscliffe Road.<\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

But Reverend Judie Cooper, who has been leading regular worship there for the past two years, says there will be some excited hearts too as new challenges are ahead.<\/p>\n

The decision to discontinue weekly, year-round services at St. John’s was not an easy one. It’s taken more than six years to come to an agreement and the bottom line is that there just aren’t enough members of the congregation to keep it up and running. Cooper indicated that although Sunday morning worship will no longer be offered, the building will not be closed right away. It will be a chapel for the community to be used for \u201coccasional services.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs people have passed on or moved away, we haven’t been able to identify the needs of people who aren’t in the church,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have tried everything we can. In the culture of the day, there seems to be a lot more important things or fun things to do on a Sunday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cooper added that the closing of St. John’s is a big loss in terms of the church’s history as well as all the work that’s been put into it. More than $100,000 has gone into upgrading the church in the last decade.<\/p>\n

On average, about 16 people attended the church regularly and managed to raise approximately $40,000 every year for the church. That amount, she said, truly proves their dedication. Cooper called St. John’s congregation the most \u201cgenerous, kind-hearted people who not only give faithfully but work tirelessly\u201d to support the church. In the end, she said, it’s not just about the financial difficulties, but the amount of work that had to taken on by such a small group to keep the church open.<\/p>\n

We as a congregation are extremely thankful to all the people who worked hard for the last 100 years and more to build that church and support St. John’s and keep it going so it could bless our lives. We want to honour the work they’ve done by continuing to bless our communities in the best way we can. And we believe that way is having one church in Port Sydney.Reverend Judie Cooper<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Members of St. John’s congregation will now be attending regular services at Christ Church in Port Sydney. The small, historical, Anglican church was facing similar challenges, which affected the church’s ability to have decent community programming. But combining the two congregations will enable a successful delivery of those programs, said Cooper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see this as a good thing, a positive thing and a way to better do our mission,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n

Rick Keevil, president of the Ravenscliffe Community Centre Association, called the church closure the \u201cbiggest historical event Ravenscliffe has ever witnessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never went to church, but I feel sorry for people who were trying to keep it going,\u201d he said. \u201cThey put their heart and soul into it. This is not their number one choice. They’ve tried and tried to get people to come and it just didn’t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cooper wants anyone who has concerns over the future of St. John’s cemetery to be assured that the grounds are \u201cwell financed\u201d and will continue to be well cared for.<\/p>\n

The last Sunday service at St. John’s is taking place this Sunday, April 30 at 10 a.m. There will be an official celebration service, which will be open to the public, on Tuesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. A special ceremony will also take place at the cemetery on that night where electric candles will be placed on every gravestone on the property.<\/p>\n

Anyone seeking special permission to have an event at St. John’s can contact the priest and wardens at Christ Church Port Sydney at 705-385-3546.<\/p>\n

Note: this story has been updated to accurately reflect the current situation at Christ Church Port Sydney.<\/em><\/p>\n

Related story: Future of Ravenscliffe Roac church up in the air<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Want to see more Huntsville news? Click here<\/a><\/span>!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here<\/u>.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There will be many heavy hearts this Sunday as the last worship service takes place at the century-old St. John the Baptist Anglican Church on Ravenscliffe Road. 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