Ongoing Restoration Communications
Welcome to the inaugural blog post for the St. Andrew’s United Church Restoration project. Regular blog entries will keep everyone up-to-date on how the project is progressing. The blog will cover the fundraising progress, events, meeting highlights, restoration progress and more. Please visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/StAndrewsUnitedChurchRestoration and select “like” (thumbs-up icon) to receive updates and blog posts. You can help the project by asking your Facebook friends to also “like” the Facebook page.
St. Andrew’s United Church Restoration Fundraising Efforts
All your donations of time and money are greatly appreciated. Check the fundraising barometer to see the progress.
In July, we mailed over 300 pamphlets to members and friends of St. Andrew’s United Church requesting contributions to renovate the building with multifunctional facilities to serve the greater community and preserve this historical site. We plan to contact the families that have relatives and loved ones laid to rest in the graveyard, to ask for their gift. We are also looking to the business community for donations.
St. Andrew’s United Church History
Today, many of the recreationists that travel by snowmobile and boat on the river past the church may not know that the St. Andrew’s United Church has predominately sat by the Richibucto River since 1858. During this time, the Richibucto River was the third largest shipping port in New Brunswick and site of many shipbuilding yards. The largest was Jardine’s Shipbuilding whose first square-rigged vessel was the Ellen Douglas built in 1819. They launched over one hundred vessels until business declined in the 1880s. These ships transported timber to Europe and new settlers to these shores. It is unfortunate that our shipbuilding landmarks were not preserved.
Many of the new settlers that came by ship built the St. Andrew’s United Church. The beautiful brass church bell, whose chime summoned people to church every Sunday for decades, was a donation from the Jardine family.
What the Church Means to the Community
The church holds a special place in peoples’ hearts for many different reasons. For almost one and a half centuries the congregation attended services, couples were married, babies were christened, children attended bible school and loved ones were laid to rest. The St. Andrew’s United Church has sat proudly on the Richibucto River serving as a community landmark for 154 years. Let’s all do our part to ensure this landmark continues to grace the community for many years to come.
On a Personal Note
On a personal note, I volunteered to be Chairman of the Restoration Committee for many reasons. Like any of you, I also have loved ones laid to rest at the church’s graveyard. The picture below was taken in 1958 behind the church. On the left is my father Thomas Warren and on the right is my uncle Murray Lawson. They are standing at the grave site of my grandfather John Lawson (Mae Warren’s father).
– Paul Warren
Thomas Warren and Murray Lawson at St. Andrew’s United Church Cemetery