RESTORATION
The year 2003 marked the 150th anniversary of the building of St. Andrew’s Stone Church. It was also the year we started the restoration in earnest. Sometimes the work was beyond the scope of our wonderful volunteers, and we have used professional contractors, including all electrical work, plastering, masonry, roof work, dry walling, glass work, and the installation of a new exit door (required by fire code) on the east wall.
But our volunteers have been very busy over the last three years. We climbed up to the top of the walls to remove the blue stucco from all of the interior walls, and after professional plasterers fixed the major cracks and smoothed over some of the smaller ones, volunteers again mounted the scaffolding, and using tinted primer, painted over the plaster with three shades of ochre.
A professional painter, Janet Samut, came in with her wonderful crew and prepared and painted the walls with a beautiful ochre colour, which blends in perfectly with the newly-stained and urethaned wainscoting. And very recently, with the pews and pump organ stored off-site, the floor was sanded and painted what we believe is one of the original colours.
Our campaign to "Bring Back the Pews", which allows individuals to sponsor a pew, and have a brass plaque affixed to the pew, with their name on it, has met with much success. 22 pews have been spoken for, all of which have been refinished and are back in the church. Plaques have been attached to the pews chosen, and on Sunday, August 12th, we held a special Memorial Service at the church, when the pews were officially dedicated. (See the Events page for further information on the Memorial Service.)
Most recently, we have had a new entrance door custom-made for the church. You will see what a difference it makes when you come to any one of our events, or when driving by the church.
We are always eager to have new people involved in this wonderful project. Please go to the Contact page, if you wish to know more about any aspect of the restoration and use of St. Andrew's Stone Church.
St. Andrew’s Stone Church is a unique and striking historic landmark in the Caledon countryside.
