Trinity Anglican Church in Saint John has launched the second phase of a $1.1-million fundraising campaign to repair its steeple. From left to right: Minister Steven Scribner; JoAnne Rivers, designer and parishoner; Derek Oland, parishoner and church warden. (Brad Perry/CHSJ News)
You may notice a very tall banner hanging from the Trinity Anglican Church in uptown Saint John.
The church has launched the second phase of a $1.1-million fundraising campaign to repair its steeple.
Minister Steven Scribner said they want to raise $380,000 to repair the north and west faces of the tower. Phase one, which focuses on the south and east faces, began in mid-March after the church raised $485,000.
Scribner said they consider the work part of the challenge given to them by their ancestors.
“They built this church when they had nothing,” said Scribner. “We’ve taken on the challenge and said it’s our challenge to make sure that their faith, their work is not lost.”
Trinity was originally built by the Loyalists in the 1780s when they arrived in Saint John from the United States. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1877 but was rebuilt and consecrated on the current site in 1880.
The steeple was rebuilt in the 1960s but the wrong mortar was used, which resulted in cracking and allowed moisture to get in.
A new banner hangs from the Trinity United Church in uptown #SaintJohn, which has launched the second phase of a $1.1-million fundraising campaign to repair its steeple. pic.twitter.com/crCSzmYnQT
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) July 4, 2019
Scribner said the ongoing work is the reason why residents have not heard the church’s nine bells ringing recently.
“It would be very deafening for the contractors up there inside that scaffolding hoarded in with the bells ringing every 15 minutes. I think they’d probably walk away,” he said with a laugh.
Businessman and church warden Derek Oland, who is spearheading the fundraising, is pleased with the community support so far.
“It shows that people are proud of Saint John and proud of its iconic features and want to preserve them,” Oland said. “You just can’t imagine Saint John without steeples pointing to the sky.”
Phase three will involve some structural elements inside the tower. Officials hope the project will be completed in 2021.
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