A solid foundation
Church will be rebuilt, expanded after fire last year
CORN HILL Tear it down, they said. Start fresh. That was the plan for Corn Hill United Baptist Church.
Standing in the congregation's temporary home at the local community hall, two black plastic crates of red hymnals stacked close by on chairs, Pastor James Hannah describes what almost befell the 105-year-old church.
An early morning blaze started in the kitchen and devoured a portion of the historic church in mid September. An investigation determined the fire was arson after sniffer dogs confirmed the presence of an accelerant.
The smoke and intense heat from the fire and the water that rained down upon it caused major damage as four fire departments fought to bring the ravenous flames under control. There was so much damage in fact, that the church's insurance company said it was a write-off.
Hannah made calls to have designs submitted for the congregation to vote on, as well as have the charred, but mostly intact, century-old house of worship torn down.
Bob Nuttall wasn't convinced, however, that the Corn Hill United Baptist Church had to be leveled. Nuttall, of Nuttall Construction Ltd. in Riverview, inspected the site and made a significant discovery.
"It was an immediate recognition that there was value left in what was here," he said while hammers were driving nails into freshly cut lumber that will make up one of the church's new walls. "Too often today buildings are torn down that otherwise could be saved."
Nuttall and company began the reconstruction three weeks ago after their design was chosen as the favourite. Hannah said the congregation couldn't have been happier when they found out the existing structure was going to stay. And it turns out, saving the structure will also save a little money for the church.
"When we showed it to the people, they just couldn't believe it could be done," said Hannah.
Nuttall admits it would have been easier to wipe the slate clean, so to speak, but a builder can really test his mettle when adding to or repairing the work of another.
"Blending old stuff with new is more challenging but the real benefit here is the ability for the congregation to say that they were able to keep what the founders were able to start," he said as a chilled spring wind blew beneath a gray morning sky.
"Very often today, replacement churches or churches that are started from scratch or additions to churches are glorified warehouses. They're done on the cheap and the architectural merits and the religious symbolism are put on the back burner."
When the repairs and expansion are finished, there should be about 800 more square feet of church for them to use. Much of the added space will be taken up with a hall, vestry and pastor's study.
"[The fire] definitely turned out to be a blessing," said Hannah.
Because the fire department was able to arrive on scene so soon, the church's bell and steeple were saved. The bell has been sent for some minor welding and the steeple is resting safely on its side just behind the church.
Estimates are that work should be done for services to start up again sometime in July. Until then, the church will remain very much a construction site with the pounding of hammers and the scream of circular saws. Blackened wood and broken bricks, remnants of the fire's furry, are still visible for the time being. But it won't be long before the church looks brand new.
To date, Hannah does not believe anyone has been charged with setting the fire.
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