St. Andrew’s congregation decided Sunday to journey in faith and close the doors on its building on the corner of Owen and Worsley streets and look for new possibilities.
As we take stock after our February fire, let’s have a look at what remains, as insurance company contractors examined, measured and prepare their estimates for Phase 2 work.
In the emergency clean-up phase, also known as Phase 1, the work included removing burnt and smoke-damaged walls and asbestos tiles.
Phase 1, the emergency clean-up phase after our Feb. 19 fire, is wrapping up. The final piece in that phase is the organ cleaning and restoration. Meanwhile, contractors are working on submitting quotes for Phase 2 work to the insurance company. Over the past several weeks, contractors have been measuring and taking in their various specialists and sub-contractors to understand what they’re working with in order to create a quote that would give us specifics about options and the associated costs.
It’s been a busy year, perhaps the first regular year of activities post-Covid. In the middle of it all St. Andrew’s was hit by fire and we lost access to our long-time home. Our dross was consumed and our gold – our faith – refined.
The upcoming week, the last week of March, will see emergency cleanup work occur – including removing debris and unstable walls and floors, as well as asbestos abatement work.
Surveillance video of the evening of Feb. 19, 2023 shows a community group let the man Barrie Police later charged with arson in to the building and did not ensure he left.
Starting March 12, we have our own temporary space to worship as a family again. It’s a place where many in the community have worshipped and thanked God for the life of a loved one or an inspiring neighbour or colleague. We will gather in the chapel at a neighbour’s, affectionately known as Steckley’s, but […]
Life can change in an instant. Two weeks ago, our building was hit by fire. A lot has happened since then – physically and spiritually as we look to our future and discern what God plans for us. It’s a day-by-day journey, as we discern what goodness God has in store for us after the […]
Barrie, Monday, February 20, 2023 – Just after 10:30 p.m. yesterday, Barrie Fire responded to a fire at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Owen St. in downtown Barrie. The fire in the Christian education wing was quickly contained and there were no injuries. The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating the fire. Our building is therefore […]