Church by the Sea group seeking ideas on how to spend $15K that was fundraised

An organization in Portugal Cove St.-Philip's has some cash it doesn't know what to do with.  

For about six years, the Church by the Sea Heritage Group raised $15,000, in hopes of restoring the old Anglican church in the town. 

Despite their efforts, the church was demolished in September. 

Steve Sharpe, president of the group, told CBC's St. John's Morning Show that the money was raised by smaller events like moose dinners, calendar fundraisers and local regattas.

"The plans were that if we had an agreement with the parish or the diocese, then we would move into bigger funding to look after what we had hoped would be preserving and maintaining the old St. Philip's church," he said.

"There's funding with the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, up to $150,000. Heritage Canada also offered $25,000 in a non-interest bearing loan for five years," he said. 

"So, the larger funding would have come into effect if we had an agreement, and of course that didn't happen."

From scholarships to assisting refugees

Sharpe said suggestions on how to spend the money, however, are already coming in.

"We have discussed everything from an annual scholarship which could go to someone who's studying built heritage," he said. 

"We could give an annual grant to other religious buildings who are preserving, maintaining their building. We've even had people suggesting we could give it to Syrian people who could be coming here."

Sharpe said the board will meet in the new year to review the ideas that come in.

He added anyone can contact him or other board members with their suggestions.