Canadian Heritage Minister, Sheila Copps,commits financial assistance at parish hall meeting November 16, 2001

l to r: Andrew Eisenhauer,
Rev. Irving Letto,
Senator Wilfred Moore,
Minister Sheila Copps Andrew Eisenhauer,
Minister Sheila Copps l to r: Rev. Irving Letto,
Senator Wilfred Moore,
Minister Sheila Copps

l to r: Andrew Eisenhauer,
Rev. Irving Letto,
Minister Sheila Copps -
balcony stairs

On Friday morning, November 16, 2001, more than 100 people gathered at the Parish Hall of St. John's Anglican Church, Lunenburg, to hear Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.
According to Ms. Copps, the Parish Wardens had written the Minister just after the fire, inquiring as to what assistance might be forthcoming from Heritage Canada. St. John's is a National Historic Site, which falls under the minister's portfolio.
The meeting was arranged by Parks Canada and chaired by Mart Johannsen, Parks Canada Superintendent for Mainland Nova Scotia. Speakers were Mr. Johannsen, Senator Wilfred Moore, Minister Sheila Copps, Mayor Laurence Mawhinney and Rev. Irving Letto, minister of St. John's.
Among those in attendance were the federal Member of Parliament for the South Shore, Gerald Keddy, as well as the provincial Members of the Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg, Michael Baker, and Lunenburg West, Don Downe. Also present were the president and vice-president of the Student Council of Lunenburg Jr-Sr High School.
Ms. Copps said that she was here to offer help to a friend in need, hoping that this would be only the first of many meetings to help. She stated that the devastation of the church was a tragedy for the whole country, noting that St. John's had been designated as a National Historic Site for more than just the architecture. It represented one of the earliest ecumenical worship sites in the country, sharing worship with both (the present) St. Andrew's Presbyterian and Zion Lutheran congregations over 200 years ago.
The minister stated that the work already done and immediately necessary to stabilize, conserve artifacts, protect the site and winter protection would be covered by Heritage Canada. There was no monetary figure mentioned. [editor: but see her subsequent comments during the media scrum]. Parks Canada experts will continue to assist. She made an offer of partnership to work with the province on a dollar for dollar basis, up to $1,000,000. But the minister clearly stated that Heritage Canada needs to hear from the people of the church what kind of rebuilding process is desired.
Ms. Copps stated that the Government of Canada considers St. John's Anglican Church the highest priority for conservation. "This is a national and international treasure."

MORE LINKS:

News Updates

Photographs of the church before, during and after the fire:

November 1, 2001 - The Burning
November 2, 2001 - The Aftermath
The interior after the burning - November 2001
The interior clean up progress - December 7, 2001 and December 28, 2001
The exterior encapsulation progress - January 16, 2002, January 23 - 27, 2002, January 31, 2002, February 7 - 15, 2002 and February 23 - March 2, 2002
Non-structural elements
The restoration of the altar
The exterior before
The interior before
The interior Christmas 1991
"Simon Birch" 1997

Canadian Heritage Minister, Sheila Copps, commits financial assistance at parish hall meeting November 16, 2001
Photograph of Solomon Morash, master builder in charge of the 1892 changes
A Short History of St. John's Anglican Church
People buried under the Church 1761 - 1826
Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia Historical and Architectural Survey and relevant Links
The Commemoration of St. John's Anglican Church as a National Historic Site October 11, 1998
Interesting Facts & Figures about St. John's

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l to r: Andrew Eisenhauer, Rev. Irving Letto, Senator Wilfred Moore, Minister Sheila Copps	Andrew Eisenhauer, Minister Sheila Copps	l to r: Rev. Irving Letto, Senator Wilfred Moore, Minister Sheila Copps

	l to r: Andrew Eisenhauer, Rev. Irving Letto, Minister Sheila Copps - balcony stairs