Hillsdale debates future of church
Hillsdale Baptist Church the last remaining historic structure in the community
CBC News Posted: Jul 08, 2012 7:50 PM AT
The tiny community of Hillsdale, N.B., is debating if it's time to sell its 150-year-old Baptist church building for timber.
In its heyday, the church thrived with 100 members of its congregation. Now, just a dozen people say they belong to the church.
As the population dwindled, services petered off to just once a year, but even that has come to an end.
On Sunday night, people gathered in Hammond Vale to discuss the future of the building.
"For one thing, it's the only historic building left," said Winnie Parlee, who grew up in the community.
Parlee said it would be a significant loss if the building's torn down.
"My father had a store there, and that burnt in the '60s, the schoolhouse was closed in the '70s. They had, years and years ago, a gristmill, a cheese factory and different things like that," she said.
"To me, it's like an historic building. And if it goes, that's it. There's nothing."
The Baptist Home Mission Board in Saint John currently owns the building, but an offer has been put forward to sell the church for its timber.
Willard Mallory, a member of the church, said Sunday's meeting would be crucial to determine what steps to take next. He said the community may form a committee to try to save the church.
Hillsdale is located approximately 72 kilometres northeast of Saint John.
From CBC News