THE FALLS - Beth Johnston's life has become a serendipitous journey of faith following an impromptu visit to a rural parish in The Falls.
Earlier this year the Truro native accompanied a friend wanting to view the vacant St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which was for sale. But when she arrived she immediately felt a strong connection to the towering structure and ended up buying it herself.
"It found us, we didn't find it," said Johnston, standing amid paint cans and neatly stacked salvaged wood pieces.
"The sun was streaming in the windows and the real estate agent mentioned it might be torn down and something happened."
The experienced interior decorator said a rush of creative ideas suddenly engulfed her and she knew she had to do something to save the once vibrant gathering place and give it a renewed life.
"I was not looking for an old building, but the space itself completely captured my imagination," she said. "I couldn't get it out of my mind. It just kept tumbling and tumbling in my mind."
Johnston never attended a service there but feels the historic building remains an important anchor in the community today.
"There isn't a day that has gone by that someone hasn't stopped in," she said. "I didn't want it to be made into something else. A gathering place. That theme kept percolating to the surface over and over again. That is embodied in this place."
She said the possibilities for its use are endless from being a venue to host weddings, reunions or wakes to jazz festivals, art exhibits or theatrical presentations.
Since May, Johnston has be toiling alongside friends and family, and has already made great progress in bringing a renewed energy to the inside of the 137-year old building that will continue to serve as a place for people to come together in celebration, sharing or sorrow.
To convert the church into a suitable location to host a great variety of events, Johnston has modified the exiting stationary pews so they can now be moved around the spacious room and plans to make cushions for them. A second-storey balcony that had been closed off decades ago has been reopened to overlook the sanctuary, and the walls inside the upper level have been painted a deep orange mimicking the bright light the sun casts through the massive windows lining the sides of the building.
A large bell that had been donated to the church in the 1930s will remain in service and will be rung on special occasions.
A set of gently used thick plank front doors will soon be installed and the new owner is aiming to have the floors painted and a stage at the front of the building modified by the end of the year.
Next on her wish list are larger items, a well and septic field.
"I need to put together some fundraisers but I know it can be done," she said.
A large map of central Nova Scotia has been painted in the foyer and it will be used to feature a variety of photographs taken throughout the region.
She wants the building to be a welcoming place for both residents and tourists and is open to any suggestions to make it a thriving centre of activity during the summer season.
smartell@trurodaily.com
A great buy
A great buy
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Published on
August 6, 2009
- Published on January 1, 2010
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Sherry Martell
Truro woman saves historic church from demolition
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Comments
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- Joanne
- - January 18, 2010 at 11:17:39
What a great story, whats the address of this place if we wanted to stop in and visit?
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- Maggie
- - January 18, 2010 at 10:58:26
I think local art exhibition or permanent displays of local history would be nice. A museum of the clothing and shoes of early settlers, their bible etc. If light caught the decorator, maybe she can showcase her work and make it a creation of 'light'. Or maybe it should be a place to 'stop' in this busy world we live in.
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- Joan
- - January 18, 2010 at 10:58:15
What wonderful spirit! What a lovely plan!
Please check the rules of the game before you get in too deep, though.
The church was non-profit (you may not be). That gave them tax exemptions you might not get. You may have to have a commercial designation which could blow your budget before you start.
And check on the regulations for septic before you go too far. The laws are unforgiving and the costs can be high when the lot is small.
The building inspector could also put you through a few hoops since you are bringing in the public (laws on public bathrooms for example).
And the cost of liability insurance has stopped more than one public-interest project in the area.
I think your project sounds great, and perhaps you have already checked all this out. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Best of luck. We need more enthusiasm like yours, for sure!! -
- Vin
- - January 18, 2010 at 10:57:05
Nova Scotia needs more people like Beth, I wish her all the best.
Vin -
- Gilliad
- - January 18, 2010 at 10:46:27
Joan, you beat me to it! As a former community Economic Development Officer - which involved promoting communities and attempting to entice new industry to them - I too am well aware of some of the pitfalls Ms. Johnston may face.
I've also found that some - please note I said some - county councils in Nova Scotia are several decades behind reality, appearing to fight against, instead of for, projects like this one.
Ms. Johnston, if you haven't already done so, contact your local provincial government representative. (Not being all that familiar with your part of the province, I'm not sure who that is, but you can find out by going to the Government of Nova Scotia website.) The new residents of Government House should be eager to get involved in high profile projects like yours. There may not be money available, but hopefully they can help direct you to those sources as well as others.
Best of luck on your project. I'm looking forward to the grand opening announcement in the not too distant future! -
- Diane
- - January 18, 2010 at 10:39:26
What a fantastic idea! I will certainly love to see it when it is finished. All the best and I'm sure the fundraising will go well.
