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Major Fundraising Campaign
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Due to its location within the walls of historic Old Quebec, Chalmers-Wesley Church has a heritage value which must be protected. The church was given an "A" rating by the Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec, a non-profit organization that is affiliated with the provincial government. Buildings with A, B or C ratings are eligible to receive government grants for restoration purposes. The constant support of the Conseil has been a cornerstone in the restoration program, but it does not cover the total cost of the work. Private donations made by foundations, friends and members of the church are essential to complete this major project.
The restoration of this 157-year-old grande dame is and has been a formidable challenge for the congregation, one they have met in a series of successful steps. Step I of this 16 year program, replacing the copper roof and the roof supports, was completed in 1996. Step II consisted of repairing the stone walls and the buttresses of the building, repairing and painting the spire, installing a new lightning protection system, new stone steps at the front entrance, and painting the sanctuary. Step III, the renovation of the electrical system and the restoration of the historic stained-glass windows and parts of the exterior back wall of the sanctuary was completed in 2002 and 2004.
In 2008, during a violent winter storm, one of the four three-meter (10 foot) granite pinnacles on the tower toppled to the ground, causing substantial damage to the roof that had recently been replaced, and narrowly missing a house 30 meters (100 feet) below!
Step IV, which began in the summer of 2009, saw scaffolding go up to the top of the steeple. Extensive repairs were done to the wooden frames of the windows and to the inside flooring of the tower. A new stainless-steel covering was applied to the spire and the ornament on the top was reconstituted, along with a new lightening rod system. The stone pinnacle, which had fallen off in 2008 was replaced, but the other three pinnacles are in need of repairs and are in danger of falling at any time.
Due to water infiltration, a second phase of the steeple project was undertaken in 2010 on the front facade of the tower. It was at this time that the congregation realized that in order to complete the tower restoration a major fundraising campaign of $1 million (dollars) would have to be undertaken to get the job done. The campaign officially opened in October 2010 and a Campaign Cabinet of 12 members was set up along with an Honorary Committee. Thanks to the support of the Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec and that of Mr. Peter W. Webster, Chairman of the Honorary Committee, we have thus far succeeded in raising $900,000. Every dollar donated is not only tax deductible but releases $2.33 from the matching funds agreement with the Conseil.
Our restoration project is now in the home stretch and should be completed by 2012, but we still need your help for it to succeed. We thank you in anticipation for your donation. Your cheque should be made out to Chalmers-Wesley Restoration Campaign.
Campaign Co-Chairmen,
Grant D. McConnell and David Baker
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