Sale of historic church marks 'new life' for Fredericton congregation

St. Paul's United Church Rev. Michelle Armstrong says her congregation is experiencing thequintessential church story death and resurrection, struggle and new life with the sale of its historic space.

Armstrong said church members didn't take the decision to sell lightly, as many have a multi-generational connection to the national historic site.

Carole Peacock, who has attended for 80 years,remembers when the congregation was so big the church had to offer twoservices on Sunday.

"Always something going on, morning, noon and night,"she said, sittingin a pew beneath one of the large glass windows.

"People would fill every seat. People were sitting on the stairs until the fire marshal found out and said we couldn't do that anymore."

Thelarge stone building, with a tall spire that can be seen throughout the downtown south side, can seat around 1,000.

But, according to Armstrong, the number of attendees for Sunday service has shrunk to about 50 and the congregation is made up mostly of seniors.

That's created a difficult situation, Armstrong said, as the old building requires $2 million in roof repairs. She said that is too expensivefor a small congregation.

While the church board and members looked at several options,it was decided by congregation vote to sell the building and join Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Armstrong said the two congregations will maintain their separate denominations, but support each other in their tasks through an arrangement called "ecumenical shared ministry."

The concept is relatively new in Fredericton, Armstrong said, but it is a common practice as churches across Canada struggle with shrinking membership.

"When people are by themselves in a really small congregation struggling, that is not what the church is supposed to be," she said.

"I hear people talking about what can happen, now that there's going to be more people together, and out from underneath this beautiful but heavy building. It is the church story. Death and resurrection, struggle and new life. Hope at work."

Erin Webb, who teaches Sunday school at St. Paul's to her son and two other children, also expressed hope about what the partnership might mean for her small group.

"I'm hoping that in the new space, if we have more people we might have more kids. So I think it's an exciting time," Webb said.

Peacock saidthe shared ministry will mean more funds for community outreach, such as the current pantry and clothing bank offerings.

What the building's future might look like, however, is unknown.

Armstrong said she hasn't been informed by the buyer, Gabriel Elzayat, what might be in store for the York Street church.

Elzayat, who ownsBella Properties and Bella Hospitality Group,did not respond to a request for comment.

Bella Properties is a housing development company, whileBella Hospitality Group owns several restaurants in Fredericton, including King West Brewing & RustiCo., Cannon's Cross and the Diplomat.

Peacock hopes the national historic site will remain a church.

"We're hoping, we're praying it will stay," she said.

While the congregation is grieving the loss of its longtime home, Armstrong said leaving it behind was alsoa powerful choice.

"One of the things that this congregation is doing is taking to heart the preaching that ministers have been saying for years, that the church is not the building but the people," she said.

"And so, the people are making the decision to be the church."