On October 23rd the St. George’s, Fort Langley community gathered to celebrate the fact that they had recently paid off the last of their loans to the Diocese of New Westminster obtained seven years ago to assist in the funding of an ambitious $1,050,000 renovation and renewal project of the 110 year old property.
Bishop Michael Ingham, the Venerable Stephen Rowe, Archdeacon of Fraser, and Rob Dickson, Business Administrator for the Diocese were present (having accepted the gracious invitation to attend this auspicious occasion) and enjoyed participating in the celebration.
Bishop Michael Ingham, the Venerable Stephen Rowe, Archdeacon of Fraser, and Rob Dickson, Business Administrator for the Diocese were present (having accepted the gracious invitation to attend this auspicious occasion) and enjoyed participating in the celebration.
By the 1990's the aging church (1901) and hall (1948) needed to be replaced or renovated.
Despite a number of challenges the community was undaunter and mover forward with the work. The new basement, a proper foundation for the original church building, a 30% expansion of the sanctuary space, Parish Hall, kitchen and landscaping were all achieved by 2003.
The parish had $225,000 available from the sale of the rectory, it received a forgivable loan from the diocese in the amount of $200,000 but even with fundraising and capital campaigns progressing nicely there was still a need for some bridge financing and the Diocese of New Westminster was able to provide that capital.
In total, the parish has raised $900,000 to fund this project.
The parish had $225,000 available from the sale of the rectory, it received a forgivable loan from the diocese in the amount of $200,000 but even with fundraising and capital campaigns progressing nicely there was still a need for some bridge financing and the Diocese of New Westminster was able to provide that capital.
In total, the parish has raised $900,000 to fund this project.
Prior to dinner being served everyone exited the church and gathered around the main church building entrance for the actual burning of the mortgage. Sheila Puls the current president of the Diocesan ACW was St. George’s administrator at the time of the loans being granted and is now the Parish Treasurer, so she was given the honour of lighting each page of the document on fire.
Congratulations to St. George’s, Fort Langley and all the best for the next 110 years.
Images: Top, the community gathers for a glass of wine prior to the mortgage burning. Middle right, the kitchen designed by the ACW. Lower left, Sheila lights page one. Below, the mortgage burns.