Looking for a Graceful solution

“Like many other church congregations today, Grace United is a smaller, older worshipping community, and our buildings are beyond what we need and more than we are able to maintain,” says Rev. Peter Atkinson in a message to the broader Digby community.

The congregation isn’t alone in that predicament. Last winter, Grace United and Trinity Anglican combined services to save on heating costs. Trinity’s congregation has also diminished, said Atkinson.

Grace United’s congregation is preparing for a future in which the historic church may play no part, but the members are asking the community to help suggest what the future should be for the church buildings, which include the adjacent hall. “Good stewardship demands that we downsize,” said Atkinson in his message, and a community consultation is planned for June 25 at 7 p.m. in the church hall.

Ironically, the meeting had been scheduled for the previous evening, but the town of Digby has scheduled its own public meeting to help develop a vision for its future. “Our congregation is intent on exploring all available options around the best use of this place to serve the needs of people in our community,” said Atkinson. “We are inviting community groups and individuals to share their ideas about the best use of our church buildings and property, and how we can better serve our community.”

Atkinson said the church buildings are an important part of the town’s built heritage and it would be sad to lose them, so the congregation would welcome ideas that will permit these buildings to continue to make a positive contribution to the social and cultural fabric of Digby, and honour the legacy of their builders.

Possibilities for Grace United include everything from the sale of the property, to demolition, to conversion to other uses, which might not be compatible with it continuing as a place for the congregation to worship.

Atkinson said a number of townspeople have expressed concern about what may become of the church buildings.