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

A 100-year-old church propertynear 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-calledStone Church in Victoria Mines was onceSt.AlphonsusChurch.

TheDiocese 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 isto turn it into a wedding chapel and tourist venue.

Society chair MelanieSampsonsays they did lots of small thingsto raise money,from bake sales to concerts.

"We did many average things, nothing that would takefundraisingover the top, that would take money from other large organizations," she said. "We held ham-and-potato-salad suppers, spaghettisuppers. Weheld an ATV run,somethingto give back to the community. Weheld 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 paymentdeadline of July 31looming, members weren't sure they would make it.

With just weeks to go, the money to put the group over the topcame from two people from outside of Cape Bretonwho readabout the society's efforts online.

BusinessmanBobHanrahanofCaledon,Ont.,grew up in Lingan, not far from the church.

He gave the society $6,500dollars.

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

RuslanaMakarenko,an architectural consultant in Yonkers, N.Y.,has no personal connectionwith the church or Cape Breton, but she donated $7,000.

'Very refreshing'

"It was somehow that Ijust caught wind of that article and Ishowed it to my father right away and Ithought what a great effort they're doing," she said. "Iread 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 ofchurchesare becoming condos. Afew of them are becoming breweries."

Makarenkobelievesthe building has huge potential as ahistorical site.

"You always have the potential to fix it up, so it at least stands for some time. "Imean, 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

Sampsonsays it's all a big relief.

"Ifeel elated,overwhelmed, overjoyed. Nowords 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 societyleverage funding from governments and other sourceto pay forrenovations, she says.

The societyhopes to have the deed and the keys to the churchby the end of September.