Courtesy of Don Parsons
Congregation to continue services
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Trinity United Church in Cookshire has been sold to Espace culturel Cookshire-Eaton, a non-profit organization founded by local businessman and philanthropist Gilles Denis. The sale ensures the historic church, built in 1863, will remain a community landmark and continue to host both religious services and cultural events.
Don Parsons, one of the church’s trustees, confirmed the sale and emphasized that it was a necessary step for the aging congregation. “We’ve been talking about it for a while, and we got permission from the United Church of Canada to sell it, if we had the opportunity,” he said.
Denis, who has supported the church for decades, first became involved in 1998 when Trinity United received $63,000 in restoration funds from the Quebec government. “We had to spend about $100,000 in total on repairs, including fixing the steeple and putting on a new roof,” Parsons explained. Denis played a key role in the restoration efforts, helping the church secure additional funding and suggesting fundraising initiatives, such as concerts. Over the years, his commitment to preserving the church remained strong, culminating in his recent offer to purchase the property.
The sale is a financial relief for the church community, which has struggled to maintain the building. In 2020, an oil spill required a costly cleanup, and ongoing repairs—including work on the bell tower and interior staircase—presented an additional burden. “We’re an older congregation. Our youngest member is around 65, and it’s getting harder to maintain the church,” Parsons said.
Denis’s offer was within the range recommended by real estate evaluations. The United Church of Canada initially suggested seeking a slightly higher price, but after negotiations, an agreement was reached. The transaction, facilitated as a private sale by real estate agent Terri Goodsell, is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
While ownership is changing hands, the church’s role in the community will remain largely unchanged. “He wants to keep it looking like a church. He’s not making any drastic changes,” Parsons said. Under the terms of the sale, Trinity United’s congregation will be able to continue holding services for at least the next five years, with Denis assuming responsibility for maintenance.
Denis’s vision extends beyond religious services. He intends to use the church as a cultural space, hosting concerts and even offering music lessons. “He already has Victoria Hall as an art centre and a museum in the old Anglican rectory,” Parsons noted, referring to Denis’s other heritage projects in Cookshire. “This is just a continuation of that—keeping culture in the forefront.”
Trinity United has long been known for its remarkable acoustics, a feature that has made it a sought-after venue for musical performances. Denis has been organizing concerts there for nearly 25 years, often featuring his daughters, both music educators in Montreal. “Musicians are always amazed by the acoustics and the decorative woodwork,” Parsons said.
A concert is already scheduled for early March, though details have yet to be confirmed. These performances, along with other cultural activities, will ensure that the church continues to serve as a gathering place for the Cookshire community.
Despite the sale, Parsons remains hopeful about the church’s future. “The people of Cookshire built this church, and we wanted to make sure it stayed within the town,” he said. With Denis at the helm, Trinity United Church will continue to be a centre for faith, music, and heritage preservation for years to come.
A historical landmark
Trinity United Church has stood as a defining feature of Cookshire since its construction in 1863. Originally built as the Cookshire Wesleyan Methodist Church, it became part of the United Church of Canada in 1925 during the national unification of Protestant denominations. Architecturally, the church embodies the Greek Revival style, with a simple but elegant wooden interior known for its finely crafted brown ash wood paneling.
Throughout its history, the church has undergone several major renovations. In 1892, it was lifted from its original stone foundation to allow for the construction of a basement, which created space for a church hall and kitchen. That same renovation introduced a semi-circular choir loft, now a distinctive feature of the building’s interior. The church was originally heated by two wood stoves before upgrading to a central wood furnace in 1892.
A significant fire in 1900, caused by a lightning strike, threatened the structure but was contained before it could spread beyond the steeple. The church underwent further modernization in the early 20th century, including the installation of electricity in 1903 and the replacement of original wooden benches with pews in the 1920s. In 1961, a historic pipe organ was replaced by a Hammond electric organ, a change that remains a poignant memory for long-time members.
Today, the church continues to be a cherished part of Cookshire’s history, and its sale to Espace culturel Cookshire-Eaton ensures that its legacy will endure.