A Catholic church in Innisfail is looking to raise $600,000 to repair its deteriorated roof structure.
Our Lady of Peace Parish had needed roof repairs for several years. Nearly $100,000 was raised, and right when it seemed everything would be fixed, a fire damaged the roof to the point where the building was eventually condemned.
“It was devastating,” church secretary Sandy Kathan said of the fire, which happened around Christmastime.
“We were really close to having all the money necessary for the repairs – the roof needed to be re-done, and then we discovered there was some water damage to the beams.
“At that point, the engineers said we were fine and that we just had to do some additional repairs, which we would have two years to raise money for.
“Then, when those minor repairs were being done, the fire started. Now we’re scrambling to raise $600,000 to basically redo the church.”
Construction is expected to begin next week and will hopefully be complete by spring of 2020, said Kathan.
“We’ve got roughly over $100,000 raised so far. But we have quite a ways to go.
“We are hoping to be in by the end of March, or at least for Easter. All of this depends on the weather.”
Mass has been held at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School in Innisfail in the interim.
Kathan said the community has been “wonderful in coming together and helping with this” situation.
“Not only (St. Marguerite), but even at the time (of the fire), we had another church come forward and offered us their building for our service,” she said.
Our Lady of Peace will host a fall roast beef supper fundraiser at Innisfail Legion Hall on Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Money will also be raised through a travel voucher raffle, a gift card fundraiser and a fall Value Village fund drive.
For more information, or to donate to the church, visit www.oloppinnisfail.com.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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