Sydney's Polish church will rise again

Construction will begin this month to replace the historic St. Mary's Polish church in Sydney, which burned to the ground in November.

The president of the parish council, Tom Urbaniak, said insurance issues have been settled. An application will be made Wednesday for a building permit.

Urbaniak said the parish will not try to replicate the original St. Mary's, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013 and had received a provincial heritage designation.

"The church will be a bit smaller than its predecessor. It will be lower, the steeple will be a little bit lower as well, due to tight budget," he explained. "The siding will be non-combustible, which is very important."

Urbaniak described the design as "modern gothic."

"It will be all one level, so completely accessible to people with mobility disabilities," he said. "It will be very energy efficient. It will be a community hub."

In the manner of eastern European churches, the original St. Mary's contained painted and gilded icons and an elaborate altar. They were all lost in the fire.

All the contents of the new church, including sacred objects, will be donated by other churches and organizations.

Urbaniak said "it will be a very spiritual place, the heart of Cape Breton's Polish community, and very much alive with the parish's community service activities."

Those include language classes, choral and folk rehearsals, service projects and hospitality.

"Eventually, we hope, (there will be) a small multi-cultural library and bright reading-meeting room overlooking a community garden and grotto," Urbaniak said.

St. Mary's was completely destroyed by the wind-driven fire in a matter of a couple of hours on November 29. Its roof had been replaced just that week and there were roofers on or near the church shortly before the fire.

In the hours after the fire, many onlookers said the roofers were upset and apologetic. Parishioners immediately extended forgiveness.

The roofing company is now suing the parish for non-payment, denying responsibility for starting the fire.

The parish council hopes the new church will be completed by the spring.