The rectory for St. James Perth, built in 1875, is one of only five in the diocese that still in use by parish incumbents. But when the Rev. Canon Ken Davis retired in the spring and moved out, the parish faced a dilemma because the house was in need of a major renovation.
The kitchen required a complete overhaul, particularly because it lacked insulation and had an infestation of mice. The downstairs wood floors have significant issues with damage and splintering and are unable to be sanded in high traffic areas as they are worn down to the tongue and groove. There is no air conditioning.
The parish considered demolishing the rectory, but it was designated as a heritage building in Perth, so demolition was likely to be opposed. Renting and selling were also considered, but the best option for present was determined to be renovating the house for the new incumbent.
Parishioner Christine Erdos is a designer who offered to redesign the kitchen as a donation to the church. That just left the challenge of fundraising about $110,000 to pay for the rest of the renovation costs.
Parishioners Ray and Elaine Hook took up the challenge. Ray’s career in the military and Elaine was a nurse. “I retired young, but I still did probably 38 years in uniform and then took a series of civilian jobs,” which included development work, fundraising for universities and the Royal Military College Alumni Association, Ray told Perspective.
Elaine also had apt experience. “After a nursing career, I spent a lot of time in the not-for-profit sector,” including food banks. “So, we thought we were ideally suited, and we’re people of action,” she said.
They had the skills and also the motivation. During their working years, they had moved many times before finally retiring in Perth and beginning to attend St. James and coming to love the community they found there. “After 23 moves and nine different churches, St. James tops them all,” Ray said.
One of the places they had lived was England where they had toured historic churches. “When we came here, I thought, this is such a beautiful building,” he said. “So, I went to the council and the wardens and said, would you be willing to let me do tours of the church? Because I think it’s important that people get to know that, one, this church is open and welcoming, and two, that people see this building because of the historical significance of it. They supported me full on.”
Ray and Elaine also help with St. James monthly community dinners that the parish prepares as a free meal open to everyone and that usually draw about 100 people — those who may need a hot meal and those who want the company and social connection. The Hooks feel it is an important outreach.
Three years ago, Elaine was seriously injured a car accident. After her hospitalization, she had 10 weeks of recovery at home when she couldn’t get out at all. They have no family in Perth but were very moved by the ways that people in the congregation stepped in to help and care for them. “We feel very strongly that congregation here is like family to us,” Elaine said. “And so, this was kind of our way of giving back for what they had done for us.”
They donated $10,000 to get the fundraising started, with $5,000 used as matching funds for any donation over $100, and they are using their skills and experience to spearhead the fundraising effort with great success so far. Thanks to generosity in the parish, Ray was hopeful they would be halfway to their goal by the end of October.
The renovations are progressing, and they hope to have it all ready when their new incumbent, the Rev. Robert Camara, arrives in December.
How you can help
Anyone who would like to donate to the project can go to the St. James website: https://www.stjamesperth.ca/support-st-james
E-transfer: [email protected]
Online donations to St. James Church Perth using Canada Helps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/27635
By mail: St. James Anglican Church, 12 Harvey St. Perth, Ontario K7H 1W4
In all cases, please ensure that you direct the donation for Rectory Renovations.
St. James, Morrisburg — Stormont Deanery