The main worshiping part of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Cobourg will be closed until further notice for safety reasons.
Rev. Canon Richard Miller said there are cracks in the ceiling and the roof is leaking due to faulty shingles.
“It was built in 1854 and everything over the years, wears and tears,” said Rev. Canon Miller.
“We’ve been monitoring some cracking in the ceiling over the last few years. The roof is now leaking because of faulty shingles which is compounding the problem of cracking.”
“Simply for safety reasons we’ve moved out of the worship place until we can get the appropriate repairs done.”
A exact date of completion is unknown, but it’s hoped the congregation will be back by the end of the Fall.
“If we do the best of the repairs we’d like to do and if we’re going to open up the roof we might as well do the best.”
The church has four options, but they’ve narrowed it down to two to complete the repairs.
“The second best of the two, is in 2014 was quoted at $280,000 so if we go the best, it’s probably going to be more than that.”
“If we can do a little extra, such as if we are in the roof we might as well reinforce the joists, and maybe even talk about putting in insulation,” said Rev. Canon Miller.
The worshipping part of the church has been closed for just one Sunday at this point.
After receiving a report from the insurance about the leaking roof and what they were suggesting.
Rev. Canon Miller spoke with the Director of Property and Resources with the Diocese of Toronto and the Bishop along with the Wardens at the church and together they decided for the safety of all to move worshipping into the Parish Hall.
“There is enough room for now, and we also have a little chapel.”
Only a few weddings had been planned up to this point, but they are looking for alternatives.
“Everyone has been very gracious.”
The problem with the shingles, Rev. Canon Miller explain is they are reasonably new first generation fibreglass shingles.
“From what I’ve been lead to understand the shingle industry had a lot of problems with the first generation fibreglass shingles and the way they sealed one to the other.”
“The way they used to do the old shingles with the sealant that goes along from one to the next didn’t work with the fibreglass.”
The insurance will be covering the re-shingling of the roof, but beyond that, Rev. Canon Miller said he’s unclear what, if anything will be covered by insurance.
Specialists have been monitoring the cracks over the years and though they haven’t got worse, it was time to err on the side of caution for the safety of everyone.
“I’d rather worship in the Parish Hall and have everyone safe then have one person hurt.”
The repairs will hopefully be completed by the Fall, but that could change.
“It all depends on what we have to do.”
St. Peter’s will be working with the town of Cobourg and the Historical Society because they are situated in a heritage district of town.
“I’m hopeful, but we don’t know enough yet. We need to get someone up into the space and see what’s going on and that we are just negotiating.”
The Parish was founded in 1819. The church building that is there now is built around the first building and the first building was dismantled inside and removed. This building was built in the 1850’s. A few very significant leaders in the Anglican church in the 1800’s came from St. Peter’s in Cobourg.
“It’s served well over the years.”
If the need arises, Rev. Canon Miller said they will look into services at St. George’s Anglican Church in Grafton or other churches in Cobourg.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
