Steeple Bell To Become Monument On Site Of Fallen Parham Church

Craig Bakay | Aug 16, 2023

Central Frontenac Council gave its approval in principle to a project in which the Township would purchase the former St. James Anglican Church property for a cost of $2 and undertake associated costs of insuring the property in the future, conditional on the Anglican Diocese undertaking the funding and installation of a suitable monument, encasing the church steeple bell and providing initial improvements to the property to create a beautiful and solemn memorial site’ at its regular meeting Aug. 8 in Sharbot Lake.

In June of 2020, a two fires broke out in the hamlet of Parham after a shooting, one of which razed the historic church, which was established in 1887. The parishioners and the archdiocese decided not to rebuild but church bell did survive the fire. The plan would be to preserve the bell on the site as a memorial to the historic church.

“Our vision is to create a beautiful and solemn memorial space to commemorate the 133-year-old St. James Anglican Church,” said spokesperson Mark Howes, a long-time parishioner. “Our rationale is that St. James had been the spiritual home for more than a century of parishioners who married, worshipped, had baptisms and other services in the church.

“The church was also a visual anchor for the small but proud village of Parham, a landmark so familiar to the many travellers on Highway 38 who passed by on a daily basis (or) occasionally any passerby from north to south.

“The magnificent church bell, which presided over the village from within the grand steeple, survived the fire, is a clarion call to not let the church be forgotten or its memory to be diminished.”

Howes said the costs would be minimal to the Township, likely limited to occasional grass cutting.

Howes, a firefighter for more than 30 years, was a firefighter at the site the night of the fire.

“I remember very well seeing the flames going up the church,” he said. “It haunts me to this day.

“For me, it would be something to have some closure to this event.”

St. James Anglican Church Group member Kathy Nybom said they plan to work with groups like Villages Beautiful for an future enhancements such as benches and flowers and that her husband will continue to cut the grass as he has for years.

Coun. Nicki Gowdy, who represents the district said: “I totally agree that there was never any closure after the fire and to have a monument there where people can sit and have a space to reflect would be great.”

Staff will prepare a report to bring back to the next meeting.

“A very good proposal and well thought out,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Mayor defers when asked to sing

After Council heard a report on proposed land acknowledgements to begin meetings, Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith added his own recommendation suggesting the National Anthem be played before each meeting.

“Or, the mayor can sing it,” he said.

“I’m afraid I’d only get to do it once,” replied Her Worship.

Deputy Clerk Appointed

Council passed a bylaw appointing Jody Lee Legue to the position of Deputy Cleark. CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn announced several other staff appointments that will be officially presented at the September Council meeting.

Water Testing

Council passed a resolution to bring well-water testing in-house (at the municipal office) following the closure of the KFL&A Public Health Unit branch office in Sharbot Lake.

Tax Sale

Treasurer Michael McGovern reported that there will be no tax sale this fall.

“We have had a tax sale every fall since I’ve been here but there will not be one this year due to a miscommunication with the company we use,” he said. “There will be twice as many properties for sale next year.”

Fire Report

Fire Chief Chris McDonough reported that fire calls are down this year.

“We’ve done a good job with fire prevention,” he said.

Communications Tower

In a 5-3 vote, Council rejected Fire Chief Chris McDonough’s proposal to have the communications tower at Station 4 in Parham replaced at a cost of $176,2985 of which $117,993 would come from the Province and $61,393 from the fire reserve fund.

The antenna was damaged in the derecho last May.

Council suggested that rather than dipping into reserves, the project could be funded from potential surplus this year.