TORONTO – The 156-year-old church of St. James, Roseneath was destroyed in a fire during the evening of April 9. No one was injured. The church is located just north of the village of Roseneath, about a 25-minute drive north of Cobourg. It is part of the Parish of Campbellford, Hastings and Roseneath in the Trent-Durham episcopal area. About 15 people worship at the church on a Sunday.
“The land was donated by a local family and the church was built with people’s sweat and hard work,” said the Rev. Bryce Sangster, incumbent. “It’s terrible, very sad.”
He said the church planned to hold its Palm Sunday service on April 14 at the civic centre in Roseneath, and possibly the Holy Week services there as well the following week. “We’re exploring options,” he says.
Bishop Riscylla Shaw, the area bishop of Trent-Durham, visited the church on April 10 and says the fire was a tragedy. “We lift up Bryce and the congregation in prayer and I have offered my support and encouragement that we will find a way forward together as we come into Easter,” she said.
Bishop Andrew Asbil, the Bishop of Toronto, said he was “shocked and devastated” by the news and encouraged other parishes to help out. “It’s important for us as a diocese to reach out to the community and to support them with encouragement, prayer and tangible support.”
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