Portugal Cove-St. Philip's to poll residents on fate of church

Residents of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's will vote on what to do with an old Anglican church in the town on Sept. 24, at the same time as the municipal election.

The town council voted this week to hold a plebiscite during the election on whether or not to demolish the church, which has been a source of controversy in the town for several years.

The question will be whether or not residents approve of the demolition of the 1894 St. Philip's church by the Diocesan Synod of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Controversy and vandalism

Anglican church leaders want to tear down the 119-year-old structure and use the land to expand a neighbouring graveyard.

However, a local committee has been fighting for years to preserve the historic building.

Its large steeple was cut down in 2010. The vandalism happened hours after preservationists thought they had prevented a church council from demolishing the building.

Residents will be given a separate ballot on the issue when they go to the polls later this month.

A Municipal Affairs spokesperson tells CBC the result will not be binding.