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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-05-02, Page 24Page 8B - The Wingham Advanee-Times, May 2, 1989 Sacred Heart parishioners em • ark on building • rojec With an eye to the future, yet ever mindful of the past, parish- ioners at Sacred Heart Church in Wingham will see construction of a new church building, offices and rectory begin this week Sunday's sod -turning was the end of the one long road for church members and the beginning of a new one. The new church is to be ready for services this Christmas. Not even God's house escapes escalating building costs. The pro- ject will cost an estimated $1 mil- lion. For Father Stan Soltysik and his parishioners, the new church has been a long time coming, While they realized the existing church, completed in 1877, was inadequate for an expanding parish, for several years the possibility of renovations was discussed. However, they learned that reno- vating also is quite costly, and besides, it would not add much seating capacity to the already - cramped conditions. A new church hall also was needed and better access for frail and handicapped people. About three years ago, a number of meetings were held, the over- whelming consensus of which was to build a new church. While the parishioners were enthusiastic, says Fr. Soltysik, the next job was to con- vince the diocese. Through some gentlepersuasion, representatives of the bishop came to see the merits of a new church building, but stipulated that one- half of the cost must be raised local- ly A building committee was formed immediately, along with a fund-raising arm. Together they set out to raise $500,000 in what Fr. Soltysik calls "a small and poor parish". But what they have been able to accomplish is astounding. In just three short years, $300,000 has been c raised through fund-raising and in donations and pledges. Fr. Soltysik says they hope to raise at least another $100,000 through the sale of the present rectory and two adjoining lots. The remainder will come in the form of a loan from the diocese building fund. VISION FOR FUTURE The new Sacred Heart Church will be thoroughly modern in every respect, although as much as possi- ble will be salvaged from the old building, including the stained glass windows and altar. The church sanctuary will hold over 300 people — double the size of the existing church. It will include a cloakroom, narthex, multi-purpose and conference rooms, as well as washrooms and storage space. Outside the church proper, will be situated a larger multi-purpose room, offices, church archives and sacristy The rectory will include a kitchen, dinette, living room, a study, guest room and master bed- room. The architect is Paul Dawson and Carl Reinhardt of Tceswater has been awarded the contract for cori- struction of the new church. Although the new church has been long awaited, there will be more than a few people saddened to see the existing church torn down. Bob Skinn of Wingham, a mem- ber of the fund-raising committee and local history buff, has been delving into the history of Sacred Heart and the very origins of the parish. Mr. Skinn says he has learned that Sacred Heart Church was completed in 1877, two years before the Town of Wingham was incorpo- rated. In fact, the church is on the original town map. Sacred Heart was the first brick church constructed in Wingham, no small feat for a parish of less than 10 families. Prior to that time, Mass had been elebrated in local homes, at the Queen's Hotel and at the residence f a Mr. King in Lower Town by visiting clergymen. A history of Sacred Heart parish, compiled in 1977, reports the com- pletion of the new church 100 years earlier "was a very important mile- stone in the growth of Catholicity in this part of the 'Old Huron Tract, as the subsequent years have . proven. For example, in 1877, there were three baptisms; 1878, five; 1 :1, eleven." The early church building had no basement or heating system, both of which were added later. One old gentleman reportedly told Mr. Skinn there were six Catholic families in Wingham in 1912. Today, the parish boasts approximately 200 families. •.; • s...4•44;?4'..... • • . At,..4" TURN OF CENTURY PHOTO—This photograph of Sacred Heart Church in Wingham was taken at the turn of the century. Although it was the first brick church built in Wingham, the struc- ture had no heating system or basement until several years later. (Photo courtesy of Bob Skinn) n IMIRPMEMEIft.,....g." 1 Sacristy .• Multipurpose 7-1. 421 t C.3 1 AKitchen;:d-Dinette • Study Bedroom NEW SACRED HEART CHURCH—This is an architect's conception of the new Sacred Heart Church in Wingham. The new church building will be three times larger than the existing church. The new model also will contain a multi-purpose meeting room, office, archives and rectory. (Cour- tesy of Father Stan Soltysik) Mark Twain Said, "The spider looks for a merchant who doesn't advertise so he can spin a web across his door and lead a life of undisturbed peace" Spiders don't lead an easy life. Newspaper advertising creates the kind of customer traffic spiders hate and merchants love. If you're a business owner who seems to be seeing far too many spiders latelyb give usi a call. Our retail display and classified advertising. department can create the kind of advertising you need to send lacy spiders on their way. 357-2320 THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES SOD TURNING—Aurelia Skinn and Mary Reader turned the first two pieces of sod to get the building project under way at Sacred Heart Church. A large turnout was on hand to witness the event. ceremony. Offering spade -handling advice to the two ladies is Wayne Waechter, chairman of the