Windows to tomorrow

First United Church’s fate could rest in the hands of the public

Does Truro’s First United Church matter?

That’s the question church officials are asking area residents as part of an online competition aimed at raising funds to replace the 14 large windows in the building, that’s more than a century old.

“It’s essential,” said Rev. Valerie Kingsbury. “The reality is, if the windows are not replaced, the building is condemned and it will be closed.”

The effort is part of a crowdfunding competition offered through the National Trust in which 26 participating communities from across the country are competing for a top prize of $60,000.

The offer is for much-needed funding to take on essential projects that include restoration, accommodating new uses, or improving visitor amenities at historic places.

In the past 20 years, Canada has lost approximately 30 per cent of its historic places, the

National Trust said in a press release.

And Kingsbury said Truro’s much-revered First United Church building could meet that same fate if required funding

to replace the windows is not found.

Over the past couple of years approximately $700,000 has been raised, primarily through the efforts of the congregation,

to repair the building’s roof and steeple.

Those two projects used up more than $500,000 and another $400,000 is required to replace the windows with modern glass and frames, which have to be custom made to retain the century-old style.

“We can worship anywhere,” Kingsbury said, of the church itself. But should the building be condemned, she added, “we will lose a huge piece of our history as a faith community but will also lose a huge piece of the history of the town of Truro.”

“The reality is, if the windows are not replaced, the building is condemned and it will be closed” Rev. Valerie Kingsbury

In addition to church services, the building serves as a “very active” space for a number of music-related activities such as symphonies, Nova Voce, conferences, a summer concert series and others.

“We presently host five different choirs here every week,” said minister of Music, Chris Bowman.

“And we are their rehearsal space and often their performance place as well.”

The church’s fundraising effort has been themed: Windows into the Future.

HARRY SULLIVAN/TRURO DAILY NEWS The First United Church in Truro is involved in a national crowd-funding competition to help raise money to replace its worn out, century-old windows and Minister of Music Chris Bowman and Rev. Valerie Kingsbury are asking for community support to help...