Celebrating the rebirth of Grace United in Sydenham

Dec 15, 2011

Photo: assisted by Joan Cameron and David Townsend of the SFCSC, Mayor Gary Davison cuts the ribbon inaugurating the former Grace United Church in Sydenham as the SFCSC's new Grace Centre.

Guests gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Grace United Church and its rebirth as the Southern Frontenac Community Services Grace Centre on December 7.

The new center will not only house the SFCSC's staff and the bulk of the many important community services it offers, but also hopes to become a focal point in the community where a myriad of arts, community and other social events will take place. “We also hope to create partnerships in the schools to benefit seniors and students as a way to preserve and lengthen history and build a future of this community”, said SFCSC board chair Joan Cameron when she addressed guests on Wednesday evening.

Also invited to speak at the event was Sydenham resident and avid local historian Wilma Kenny, whose ancestors settled in Sydenham over 200 years ago. Kenny spoke of the history of the Sydenham area and said, “The building of Grace United was a key step in the progress of the community and was the first large gathering hall where early setters could congregate.”

Reverend Malcolm Stienburg, a former minister of Grace church, recalled his years there with much humor. He spoke of the day, December 22, 1861 when Bishops Richardson and Smith dedicated the church. “At the time the church was filled to capacity and it was reported that the people here had erected one of the most spacious and best furnished churches in the county built by the forebearers of many who still reside in the community.”

Rev. Stienburg spoke on a more serious note of the new and important role the building will have in the community as the new home for the SFCSC. “It's very good to know that this building is now being used by an organization that is very much involved with real people facing some real difficulties in their lives. In a sense, if you use your imagination there is no difference between what the people of this organization (the SFCSC) do and what Jesus did when washing the feet of his disciples. So while Grace United Church is gone, its good to know this building is going to a cause which has as its goal the helping of men, women, boys and girls. The sermons preached by preachers like myself over many years are now being replaced by a different type of sermon; a sermon in the form of relief, mental and physical, in the form of comfort and peace of mind for people who are experiencing difficulties in their daily living.”

Anne Prichard, representing the Ontario Trillium Foundation, also spoke and announced the SFCSC's successful receipt of a Trillium grant for $69,200, which will be used for the renovations. The grant, together with fundraising efforts to date, has put the corporation close to 50% of the $350,000 total needed to purchase and redo the building.

On that note Mayor Gary Davidson was invited to cut the ribbon officially opening the new centre. Guests were then invited to tour the building, including the former sanctuary, which is currently under renovation. Don Voteary is heading up the renovation project and recently he and his two young apprentices uncovered the sanctuary's original pine flooring, which they are in the process of repairing and refinishing. On a small table Voteary had gathered some of the artifacts he has found in the process including “holy nails”, old square-headed nails found under the church altar, and one very old nickel embossed with a portrait of King Edward and dating back to 1903.

The renovations are slated to be completed a few months into the new year. SFCSC executive director David Townsend summed up the overall excitement felt throughout the evening best. “This building is full of excitement, potential, dreams and visions and I hope we can make them happen for all of us in the near future.”