Monday, April 18, 2011

St. Paul's Anglican closing its doors


Old age has crept up on St. Paul's Anglican Church in Holmedale.

Now 112 years old, the petite church building, with seating for 200, will close its doors -at least to congregants of the Anglican faith -after a special May 8 service that honours its past.

Audrey Elcomb, 89, plans to have a little cry.

"When we have that service and I know it's the end, well, I better bring a lot of Kleenex."

And no wonder: Elcomb has been attending St. Paul's for more than 80 years.

She started in the Sunday School program in 1928 when she was six years old.

"There weren't too many people then. It was in one of its low periods.

"My mother and father had just moved to Brantford and my mother asked the insurance agent who used to come around if he knew where there was a nice little church."

She recalls her first Sunday School teacher and remembers being thrilled by the red and green jelly served during her first Christmas potluck.

Although the little church was dedicated in December of 1888, the grand opening ceremonies didn't take place until 1889. There was a packed house and a band playing outside the windows.

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