Now, more than ever, the historic Beaverdams Church, with its foundation firmly rooted in the past and sights set on the future, provides a bright beacon of hope for the close-knit community.
But all of Thorold will benefit once the devoted Friends of Beaverdams complete their passionate restoration project, which blends elements of the village’s rich heritage with a well-thought out plan for practical uses.
Perched on the edge of Lake Gibson, the simple yet elegant church provides a scenic breath of fresh air amid today's trends toward building scores of tightly-packed subdivisions and big box store malls.
“It’s like a beacon of hope in the community,” Donna Cowan told the Thorold News at the church’s annual Christmas celebration held Saturday. “How many communities have a building that’s been around for so long?”
“Nearly 200 years ago, people came and met and shared” at the rural church, Melanie Battell told the gathering seated in the rustic weathered pews.
“This heritage project will ensure that we enable them to continue for future generations.”
Despite the lack of heat in the church, the annual event is a heartwarming affair, with neighbours and friends singing Christmas carols and donating to the food drive, while sipping on hot apple cider and hot chocolate.
This year, the small crowd joined in singing Happy Birthday to long-time Beaverdams resident Betty Smith, who recently turned 90, and whose family has been instrumental in supporting the church’s restoration, even before the Friends assumed ownership five years ago.
While Hilda and Bill VanderKlippe hung wreaths on the church’s two front doors, Battell explained that back in the day, “One door was for men and one for women.”
“This is the first time we’ve had new doors for the wreaths to go on,” she added. “Called ‘cross and bible doors,’ it’s a traditional style” for the church’s 1832 era, and features a cross at the top and bible at the bottom.
Gina Armstrong, director of the Thorold seniors’ Young at Heart choir, led the singing, accompanied by Friends president David Cowan at the “ancient piano.”
Armstrong, secretary of the Friends, said her husband’s parents—Frank and Joan Armstrong—“were married in this church in 1942.”
Mayor Terry Ugulini joined Councillors Fred Neale, Ken Sentance and Jim Handley in presenting a cheque to the Friends to help restore the building’s antique organ.
“A couple months ago, Jim brought a motion to council that we donate $1,500 to the organ,” the mayor noted.
Thanks to the “tireless fundraising efforts of the Ways and Means committee, the diligence of the executive and the generosity of all the members, we have raised an amazing $250,000 in this adventure,” wrote Cowan, in his recent update letter, mailed to Friends.
“As well, we will be receiving further substantial funding from two corporate sponsors before the end of the year.”
The Ontario Paper Thorold Foundation has granted the Friends “a total of $35,000 in the past,” said Cowan, “and we are just completing a fund-matching agreement with them for a time period ending Dec. 31. Any donations we were able to add will therefore be worth double between now and then.”
The Friends will be moving indoors, continuing extensive renovations in 2020, supported by their successful annual fundraisers, which will include the May luncheon and art show, June yard sale, October Applefest, November craft show at Thorold Secondary School, and December Christmas celebration. Specific dates for events will be announced.
For more information on supporting the Friends, or becoming a member, email [email protected] or visit the website.
