The community church in Falkland has a unique history.
Officials believe it to be the only church in the world to have been collaboratively built by five different denominations — a true story of spiritual diversity.
“There were the Roman Catholic, Anglican and United Churches here in this town. They were small congregations,” said Falkland and District Community Church and Fellowship Society secretary Irene Morck.
“The buildings were decrepit and they got the idea that they should just try to amalgamate and make a community building.”
Shortly after, officials from the Seventh Day Adventist and Alliance Church joined in on the collaborative idea.
“As far as we know, it’s the only one in the world that was built by five different denominations,” Morck said. “The Anglicans, United Church, Roman Catholic, Alliance and Seventh Day Adventists, and all the people in this community and all the surrounding districts built this church.”
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“There were only two paid carpenters and the rest was all volunteer labour.”
The church was built in three months and finished in 1987, sitting proudly on the same ground where the United Church was previously erected.
Morck said several parts were salvaged from some of the old churches, such as the altar, the antique organ, the lectern, the antique chairs and the bell, which is rung usually every Sunday morning.
But the church is in desperate need of repair. The structure is aging and a lot of interior and exterior work is needed.
“Well, as the building is 31 years old, it’s beginning to show signs of deteriorating. The main attention was to get the inside taken care of to make it comfortable,” said board director Angus MacInnes. “Outside, as far as making the building envelope secure, the stucco and exterior paint work, the front steps, and the roof need to be done.”
One other improvement is on the list: an elevator, which will make the building more accessible.
“For any kind of public building nowadays, accessibility for the disabled is of prime importance,” MacInnes said. “It’s an aging community as well here.”
The repairs are not going to be cheap. In fact, they will cost almost as much as constructing the original church three decades ago.
“We’re hoping to raise about $77,000, which is a lot of money,” Morck said. “We’re now just over $4,000, but it comes a little bit at a time, and we appreciate every little gift.”
Those interested in supporting the church can make an online donation at Canada Helps.
Cheques mailed to the Falkland Community Church are also accepted and appreciated.
“We can’t let this church disintegrate. We can’t let the whole ideals and enthusiasm of these pioneers from 31 years ago just turn into dust,” Morck said. “Many churches have been abandoned and changed into all kinds of things.
“We just have to keep it going. We love it.”
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