Cape Breton's Stone Church purchase clinched by 2 big donations

A 100-year-old church property near Sydney, N.S., is now just a few signatures away from belonging to a group that's been trying to save it from the wrecking ball.

The so-called Stone Church in Victoria Mines was once St. Alphonsus Church.

The Diocese of Antigonish closed it in 2007 and intended to have it demolished two years ago.

But a group of like-minded former parishioners and others who wanted to save it created the Stone Church Restoration Society and struck a bargain with the diocese to buy the property for $40,000.

The long-term plan is to turn it into a wedding chapel and tourist venue. 

Society chair Melanie Sampson says they did lots of small things to raise money, from bake sales to concerts.

"We did many average things, nothing that would take fundraising over the top, that would take money from other large organizations," she said. "We held ham-and-potato-salad suppers, spaghetti suppers. We held an ATV run, something to give back to the community. We held a concert called Stone Aid with Terry Kelly."

Two angels seal the deal

The society has been paying for its purchase in increments, and with the final payment deadline of July 31 looming, members weren't sure they would make it.

With just weeks to go, the money to put the group over the top came from two people from outside of Cape Breton who read about the society's efforts online.

Businessman Bob Hanrahan of Caledon, Ont., grew up in Lingan, not far from the church.

He gave the society $6,500 dollars.

"I have been following the Stone Church issue for the last few years in the media, through CBC Cape Breton, so I was aware of the fundraising and the need for further funding, and there was a deadline to find the remaining money to purchase the property, so I made a call."

Ruslana Makarenko, an architectural consultant in Yonkers, N.Y., has no personal connection with the church or Cape Breton, but she donated $7,000.

'Very refreshing'

"It was somehow that I just caught wind of that article and I showed it to my father right away and I thought what a great effort they're doing," she said. "I read that they're hoping to make it a non-denominational wedding chapel and still preserve it as a church building. It's actually very refreshing to hear, now that a lot of churches are becoming condos. A few of them are becoming breweries."

Makarenko believes the building has huge potential as a historical site.

"You always have the potential to fix it up, so it at least stands for some time. "I mean, architecture back then was built to last, so it really is just a matter of upkeep and maintenance to make sure it lasts.

"I'm sure you get a real feel for the history when you see something like this, with an interior that ... really [calls] to that past and especially to the people who built it, and it would be a shame to let their legacy disappear."

Elated and overwhelmed

Sampson says it's all a big relief.

"I feel elated, overwhelmed, overjoyed. No words can actually express the feeling that we feel today to be supported so much by the local community, as well as the national community, to know the importance of saving this iconic heritage building."

Ownership of the building will help the society leverage funding from governments and other source to pay for renovations, she says.

The society hopes to have the deed and the keys to the church by the end of September.