Anglican Foundation contributes to a church that can 'stand just about anything'

by Ana Watts

The construction crews that worked on the first phase of the new St. John the Evangelist Church building in the Parish of Douglas and Nashwaaksis (Fredericton North) are agreed on where to go in case of an earthquake. “They know this is very sturdy construction and can withstand just about anything,” said Mary Robinson, the church’s secretary, resident engineer and building project manager, as she conducted a tour of the facility for the Rev. Canon Dr. Judy Rois, the recently appointed executive director of the Anglican Foundation.

The Anglican Foundation of Canada exists to nurture and advance the life and work of the Anglican Church of Canada within Canada and has benefited every diocese, hundreds of parishes, and thousands of individual members of the Anglican Church of Canada — including the Parish of Douglas and Nashwaaksis and the its own executive director. In 2010 Douglas and Nashwaaksis received a $100,000 loan and $15,000 grant to help fund their energy efficient and technologically advanced new building. The Parish of Portland in Saint John received a $10,000 loan to help it replace its failed steam boiler in 2010 too. Judy received a grant to help finance her graduate studies in the 1990s. In a personal word of thanks to the foundation as she assumed her new position she said: “I am therefore, a deeply grateful recipient of the Foundation’s generosity, and thus feel privileged and eager to assist in making the same kinds of opportunities possible for others in the Canadian Anglican Church.”

Judy toured foundation projects in Saint John and Fredericton with Peter Irish of Saint John, a member of the foundation’s board of directors. She was very impressed with St. John’s — with what she saw, like the crosses imbedded in the window glass; with what she heard, thanks to the fine acoustics in the gym/meeting hall/temporary sanctuary; and with what she felt, like the in-floor radiant heat. But it was the efficiency of the kitchen, and its attention to the small details that will make a big difference to the many volunteers who use it, that really excited her. Instead of ceramic on the floor, there are rubber tiles over the concrete — much easier on volunteers’ feet, backs and even on the occasional slippery dish. The tumblers and cups go through the high-temperature industrial dishwasher in specially designed crates and remain in them for storage as well, so there is no need for any handling at all. And everything that can be put on wheels is on wheels. Trolleys for just about everything roll in to their own niches under the counters and out into the hall for setting tables.

These things are not accidental. “We invested money in a professional design,” said Mary. “Not only is this building well built and well insulated, it’s totally accessible and equipped for the latest and even emerging technology.”

The building is ready to welcome friends and neighbours displaced by flood, fire or other emergency too. “We knew the design included lots of space for people to spread out their cots and sleeping bags, but we thought if we added a shower to each of the washrooms we could be of even more help to the community in a time of need. And the showers come in handy too when youth group hosts overnight programs.”

Neighbourhood pre-schools use the soundproof hall for recreation, it is easily configured for a meeting (and its complete accessibility makes it a popular venue), and each Sunday morning it is ready for worship. Some day, however, phase two will add a dedicated sanctuary right across the busy Main Street from the beloved stone church that served the parish for so many years.

"We're very grateful to the Anglican Foundation for its financial contributions to this wonderful new facility," said Mary.

 

Diocesan Communications

June 21, 2011