Don't demolish church: St. Philip's group

Residents of community near St. John's want to save a century-old church from the wrecking ball.

The old Anglican Church in St. Philip's was built in 1894 but area residents say permission to tear it down could come as early as Tuesday.

The group called "The Church By The Sea Incorporated" is trying to convince the Anglican parish in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's to give the church to them. 

"When you look at the history of the community, it's built around the church. There's a heritage factor there. It's a building which can still be saved. It can be preserved," said Steve Sharpe, a member of the group trying to save the church.

Right now, the old building is being used to store recyclables but on Tuesday, the area's town council is expected to vote on an application to tear it down.

The Church By The Sea group has put together a ten-page proposal to take it over. They're offering to accept all financial responsibility for the building and promising to convert the church into a local museum.

Their proposal estimates that renovating and converting the church will cost about $250,000.

The group hope to raise that money with government grants and private donations.

"There's public and private funding out there," said Sharpe. "We could set up an endowment that would not cost the parish any funds. As a matter of fact, we have even stated that we would not approach the parish nor the parishioners for funding on this."