“Hallelujah to the firefighters,” bellowed one person at the end of the service outside what is left of the St. James Anglican Church just north of Roseneath, just off County Road 45 on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.
The church was ravaged by fire late in the evening on April 9, 2019. When firefighters arrived at the church that evening, try as they might, there was little that could be done to save the church built in 1863.
From the start, the fire was deemed suspicious along with two other fires in Roseneath.
On Wednesday as approximately 12 firefighters arrived, the congregation of approximately 120 spontaneously applauded for the decommissioning of the church.
Regular members of the congregation were in attendance along with so many others from the community to show their support.
Presiding over the ceremony were Bishop Andrew Asbil, Bishop Riscylla Shaw and Reverend Bryce Sangster.
“Be with us now, as we mourn this loss of an earthly place that has collected and gathered our prayers, our tears our joys, our celebrations, our blessings,” said Bishop Shaw in a prayer during the service.
“Be with us as we give thanks to you for this place where we have come to praise your name to ask your forgiveness, to know your healing power, to hear your word spoke and sung – a balm and a guide to our hearts and souls.”
Bishop Asbil said during the homily, “this is a building that has contained the memories and the prayers of generations who’ve gathered for Christmas and for Easter, baptisms, for funerals, weddings, for moments of deep quiet in the middle of life. A place to offer consternation and hope. It’s a place where ordinary men and women have knelt on knees, gripped the edge of a pew and hung on for dear life hoping against hope that God would go with them and God does.”
With the fire deemed suspicious Bishop Asbil said, “holy ground has been marred by fire and by a terribly tragedy and because this is a holy place, this is a night for us to grieve.”
Speaking to Today’s Northumberland prior to the ceremony Bishop Asbil said it was an opportunity for the community to come together before it is taken to the ground.
“It’s a smaller congregation, very typical of a community like this, a building like this would be a gathering place for folks who would have deep roots in a community like this.”
When hearing the news of the fire that destroyed the church, Bishop Asbil said it was “absolutely heartbreaking.”
“To imagine how this might have happened is beyond us and a real sense of grief for the community itself.”
Not only has the congregation been effected by the loss of the church, but so has the community.
“There are certain monuments in every community that mean something,” said Bishop Asbil.
“You really feel a sense of security just being able to walk by and drive by that the building is here. It’s a sacred place, a holy place and to see it razed is so heart breaking.”
Bishop Asbil also wanted to mention he was “truly grateful” for the firefighters efforts and the community that have rallied around members of the congregation.
“I’m really moved by the passion of this little community that says we are together and we will keep going.”
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
