On Sunday, Nov. 17th The Venerable Stephen Rowe (Archdeacon of Fraser) visited the Parish of All Saints, Agassiz to re-dedicate the church and hall. This was an event that almost never happened! Built in 1896, with a new hall and kitchen added in 1957, by 2003, the buildings were in need of renewal, however the congregation had dwindled to a faithful few. In 2006, the MAP (Ministry Assessment Process) identified a number of options for the congregation, but instead of closure or merger with another parish they chose the hard route of renovation and renewal. Although the November 17th dedication was focused on the newly renovated kitchen and the many other improvements to the church and hall accomplished over the past four years it was more a celebration of the tireless work of many people of this small, historic church of All Saints, Agassiz, who over the past decade have renewed the congregation and its mission to the community.
But All Saints didn't achieve all this on its own! A significant diocesan grant, generous donations from parishioners, fund-raising events, and the support of parishioners of St. Agnes, North Vancouver, who donated paint, materials, and gobs of “elbow grease”, made it all happen. The material benefits are many: new roofs and gutters; repainting of the exterior of the church; replacement and rewiring of all church and hall light fixtures reducing electrical costs by 50%; a new energy efficient furnace; improving and doubling the size of the church parking lot; installation of a Labyrinth and beautifully maintained memorial garden; installation of new doors throughout the church and hall to improve appearance, access and meet fire and safety codes; replacement of 60 year old carpets; and the renewal of church and hall windows to improve security and reduce heat loss. Also noteworthy are special gifts from parishioners: a new church organ, plants for the memorial garden and individual gifts “that are known to God alone and the giver”.
The focal point of the re-dedication is the new church kitchen, which is symbolic of the efforts of all who have supported All Saints and served the community for more than a century. Desperately in need of a major upgrade, the kitchen prevented All Saints from serving the community and raising funds through special dinners and catered events. The work began in earnest on a hot June day with the digging of a 4’ x 18’ trench. It took a day and a half for the wardens, (who along with their team saved over a thousand dollars in labour costs) to haul dirt and then drill through the Hall foundations, so the local council could connect us to the city water system. This was the first necessary step in bringing the renovated structure and utility access up to code. The kitchen committee, with the help of parishioners, friends, relatives from out of town, and others ripped out the old kitchen and started from scratch. What fun! What a mess! While stripping the untold layers of lino from the floor, the plaintive cry was heard, “This is like peeling onions – every layer brings tears to my eyes!” The stripping of the flooring continued until Earl, an 88 year old parishioner said, ”Stop, you've reached the sub-floor I installed in 1957!”
All Saints’ kitchen now boasts two new high-end dishwashers, beautiful new cupboards crafted by local craftspeople, stainless steel sinks, carts (for handling and storing dishes) to fit under new and extended counter tops, and a new hot water tank. Apart from historic photos that were replaced on the new walls, only the stoves and fridges remain as a memory of the old space. Local groups who rented the hall ‘when it was a mess’ have marveled at what has been achieved. There is now a modern, functional kitchen that meets current and future needs. A highly successful “Oktoberfest” evening christened the new kitchen.
All labour was free apart from the services of a local plumber, electrician and cabinet-maker. A huge ‘Thank You’ and ‘well done!’ to the wardens who have been the driving force of this renovation, and whose work brought the project in nearly $2,000 under budget! A big ‘thank you’ goes out to everyone else who helped; and to the women of the parish who brought in goodies for the workers. Their visits always seemed to coincide with a coffee-break! And last, but not least, to Rev. David Price, who provided constant leadership and encouragement … and found the new dish storage carts on Ebay!
At the Dedication Service many of the volunteers and trades people who contributed to the project were present. The project concluded the latest phase of the renewal of the “parish fabric” which was begun with a vision by our late warden, Josie Browning in 2009. As Rev. Price said “I hope she is smiling at all the work that has been accomplished”.
Image: The Reverend David Price, Priest-in-Charge of All Saints’, Agassiz; Warden, Rick Warda; the Venerable Stephen Rowe, Archdeacon of Fraser; Warden, Virgina Jennings cut the ceremonial ribbon on the newly refurbished kitchen.
PHOTO by Anthea Lewis
But All Saints didn't achieve all this on its own! A significant diocesan grant, generous donations from parishioners, fund-raising events, and the support of parishioners of St. Agnes, North Vancouver, who donated paint, materials, and gobs of “elbow grease”, made it all happen. The material benefits are many: new roofs and gutters; repainting of the exterior of the church; replacement and rewiring of all church and hall light fixtures reducing electrical costs by 50%; a new energy efficient furnace; improving and doubling the size of the church parking lot; installation of a Labyrinth and beautifully maintained memorial garden; installation of new doors throughout the church and hall to improve appearance, access and meet fire and safety codes; replacement of 60 year old carpets; and the renewal of church and hall windows to improve security and reduce heat loss. Also noteworthy are special gifts from parishioners: a new church organ, plants for the memorial garden and individual gifts “that are known to God alone and the giver”.
The focal point of the re-dedication is the new church kitchen, which is symbolic of the efforts of all who have supported All Saints and served the community for more than a century. Desperately in need of a major upgrade, the kitchen prevented All Saints from serving the community and raising funds through special dinners and catered events. The work began in earnest on a hot June day with the digging of a 4’ x 18’ trench. It took a day and a half for the wardens, (who along with their team saved over a thousand dollars in labour costs) to haul dirt and then drill through the Hall foundations, so the local council could connect us to the city water system. This was the first necessary step in bringing the renovated structure and utility access up to code. The kitchen committee, with the help of parishioners, friends, relatives from out of town, and others ripped out the old kitchen and started from scratch. What fun! What a mess! While stripping the untold layers of lino from the floor, the plaintive cry was heard, “This is like peeling onions – every layer brings tears to my eyes!” The stripping of the flooring continued until Earl, an 88 year old parishioner said, ”Stop, you've reached the sub-floor I installed in 1957!”
All Saints’ kitchen now boasts two new high-end dishwashers, beautiful new cupboards crafted by local craftspeople, stainless steel sinks, carts (for handling and storing dishes) to fit under new and extended counter tops, and a new hot water tank. Apart from historic photos that were replaced on the new walls, only the stoves and fridges remain as a memory of the old space. Local groups who rented the hall ‘when it was a mess’ have marveled at what has been achieved. There is now a modern, functional kitchen that meets current and future needs. A highly successful “Oktoberfest” evening christened the new kitchen.
All labour was free apart from the services of a local plumber, electrician and cabinet-maker. A huge ‘Thank You’ and ‘well done!’ to the wardens who have been the driving force of this renovation, and whose work brought the project in nearly $2,000 under budget! A big ‘thank you’ goes out to everyone else who helped; and to the women of the parish who brought in goodies for the workers. Their visits always seemed to coincide with a coffee-break! And last, but not least, to Rev. David Price, who provided constant leadership and encouragement … and found the new dish storage carts on Ebay!
At the Dedication Service many of the volunteers and trades people who contributed to the project were present. The project concluded the latest phase of the renewal of the “parish fabric” which was begun with a vision by our late warden, Josie Browning in 2009. As Rev. Price said “I hope she is smiling at all the work that has been accomplished”.
Image: The Reverend David Price, Priest-in-Charge of All Saints’, Agassiz; Warden, Rick Warda; the Venerable Stephen Rowe, Archdeacon of Fraser; Warden, Virgina Jennings cut the ceremonial ribbon on the newly refurbished kitchen.
PHOTO by Anthea Lewis