On David Street, work is beginning on a piece of Victoria history.
Centennial United Church started life out as Centennial Methodist Church in 1885 before changing its name in 1925.
“This was the edge of the city and so they built a church, the first church in 1885,” says Reverend Alanna Menu. “Six years later, 1891, everybody had moved out to the suburb [and] they had to build a 600 seat church, so that’s this church.”
While the building looks pretty good for being 130-years-old, the brickwork was still in need of a touch-up.
“Unfortunately this particular church is getting tired and some of the bricks decided that they did not want to stay,” says Menu.
“We don’t know yet what the underlying causes are for the bricks falling out,” adds Menu.
So the team at CBS Stoneworks stepped in to help.
“It’s very cool and I feel very honoured to be able to do a job like this restoring an old building, bringing it back to its original self if you like,” says CBS owner Adrian Sims.
While it is still early on in the restoration, Sims already has his eye on several issues.
“The challenges are trying to make an old church like this one look old once it’s restored and done,” says Sims.
“We are so grateful for these people who have that kind of expertise,” smiles Menu.
Over the next six weeks, the work will continue, with the hopes that the building will be ready for another 130 years.
“I think the congregation is going to be very happy to bring it back to its original self,” says Sims.
Cole Sorenson
