The story of St. Andrew's United Church began in 1884, in the interior of a Canadian Pacific Railway box car as an outpost of ‘St. Andrew's in the Pines’, Mattawa.
The story of St. Andrew's United Church began in 1884, in the interior of a Canadian Pacific Railway box car as an outpost of ‘St. Andrew's in the Pines’, Mattawa. The congregation quickly outgrew the box car and moved into a log school house, then a frame building which was very close to the present site and finally in 1904 came to rest in the bricks and mortar of the present structure located in the heart of North Bay at the corners of Cassells and
Algonquin.
Unfortunately the buttress supports for the main roof are showing their age showing signs of fatigue which requires over a quarter of a million dollars to repair. Some of the infrequent congregation members who mentioned images of a shaking roof when they entered the building can now appreciate that their concerns were well founded. Now over a hundred years old, the historical architecture of the building with its ornate stained glass windows, hand crafted and carved wooden ceiling make it an important piece of history to get behind and save.
In support of this community landmark, The Clarion Pinewood resort is hosting ‘An evening of fine dining and fine music’ next Friday, May 22, to help raise funds for the buttress repairs. The evening features some of North Bay finest classically trained musicians, great food, and a silent auction of a number of unique items including donations from MP Anthony Rota and MPP Monique Smith.
Event organizers say St. Andrew’s has been more than just a church in the community as it has been a space for community organizations to hold meetings over the years and also served as youth drop center in the basement in the late 1970’s. And even if you are not a member of the congregation officials are appealing to everyone to get behind this event, especially people in the community who may have been married there, attended community meetings, or simply enjoyed meeting up with friends there for other events over the years.
Dinner tickets are $100 each, with a $60 tax receipt and are available by calling the office at 472 7680 or emailing
[email protected].
