Soon-to-be-restored Saint James Church in Hatley on the rainy day of May 9
Saint James Hatley announces Charity Lunch and Fashion Show
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Saint James Church in Hatley is set to host a Lunch and Fashion Show event June 14 at noon. The event aims to raise funds for the restoration of the historic building.
Tickets for the event are priced at $125, with a $50 tax receipt provided to each attendee. The function will take place at the Massawippi Union Hall, located at 813 Route 208, Hatley, Quebec. Interested parties can make reservations by visiting the website at: stjameshatley.org
Saint James Restoration Project Heads Alexandra Reid and Peter Provencher filled The Record in on all the details over the phone May 7.
“This project has been going on since 2021,” Reid said, “it’s a slow process… it’s hard to raise money.” The project has already applied for three years of grants from the Conseil du Patrimoine Religieux du Québec (CPRQ). It is also in the midst of applying to Heritage Canada.
Monies from the CPRQ will go towards restoring the building, while Heritage Canada primarily supports transforming the soon-to-be former church into a novel space for community-oriented activities. Reid said the Town of Hatley has been very supportive in helping the project navigate all the “loops and hoops” it has had to go through.
“It’s about a $1.4 million project,” said Provencher, elaborating on the project’s financial aspect. Fundraising events like the fashion show and other donations will comprise about $500,000, while the other $900,000 will come from grants. The CPRQ has already confirmed $438,000.
“For us to kick off our capital campaign, we need to see construction activity at the church,” he said. People need to see concrete action before lending their support, he continued, which is fully understandable.
The church is currently overseen by the St. Francis Deanery of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec. “It is an Anglican Church endeavour to restore this [year] 1827 church,” Reid explained. The church is the oldest wooden church in English Quebec. It is a Class A heritage building – the highest possible designation.
The restoration of the building has been unofficially awarded to a general contractor with a lot of experience in heritage restoration. “We’ll actually be seeing digging this summer, which is great,” Reid said, “we’re finally moving forward.”
The coming construction in June will represent one third of the project’s cost, Provencher said. This will include work on the foundation and installing proper drainage. The stained-glass windows will also be removed and sent to a specialist in the province.
In 2025, the project will ask the CPRQ for additional stages of funding with the grand opening of the building set for May 1, 2027. In July 2027, the church will be 200 years old, so a huge gathering and celebration will be held tied into Hatley’s Canada Day parade.
The project has met with nearby cultural groups, and some from Montreal, who are all very interested in using the space for art shows, poetry readings, book launches, and concerts. A committee will be formed to manage and maintain the church.
Speaking on the fashion show, Reid said that more than a fundraiser, the project is using it to raise awareness amongst locals that the project is happening. The project was initially looking for adults to participate, but ended up finding children more amenable to the idea. “People don’t really want to strut up and down the runway,” she said with a laugh. Local clothing store Hatley jumped at the chance to provide clothing for the show.
“It’s going to be beautifully decorated… and the food will be divine,” Reid said. The event will be catered by Magog’s White Horse Café Bistro.
For additional information, potential attendees of the event are encouraged to contact the organizers via email at: stjameschurchhatley@gmail.com