St. Matthew’s Online Treasures Auction returns

Cataloguing for St. Matthew’s annual online auction is well-underway, and another extraordinary selection of items will be offered. The auction site will open for bidding on Thursday, Nov. 7, and run till Sunday, Nov. 17, closing at 4 pm. The catalogue will be viewable on Nov. 1.

This year, the outreach theme is food insecurity, and beneficiaries will include the Ottawa Food Bank and the Centretown Community Food Centre. St. Matthew’s other fundraising initiatives—its online boutique and the annual scarf and jewellery sale also raise money for the Ottawa Food Bank OFB) and the marmalade sale directs all of its profits to the Centretown Community Food Centre and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

“On behalf of the Ottawa Food Bank, our agencies, and neighbours who turn to food programs for support during trying times, thank you for St. Matt’s help and generosity,” wrote Tricia Johnson, OFB’s director of communications and development.  “Your work and caring are deeply appreciated and needed more than ever before.”

The catalogue will include works by acclaimed artists Gordon Appelbe Smith, Bruno Bobak, Ed Bartram, Liliane Clement, Martha Rakine, Clemence Wescoupe and Ottawa photographer Jennifer Dickson. International art includes a fine piece by English watercolourist Reuben Wards-Binks and an intriguing carved wood painting by Emmanuel Emvic, an important Nigerian artist.

The auction features some unusual items this year such as a vintage Power Wheels Barbie Corvette for very young drivers, a Sky-Watcher Newtonian 8” telescope and a steel Zeppelin Pull Toy 1930, modelled after the Graf Zeppelin.

And look for unusual books, fine china, jewellery, Persian rugs and antique silver. Each year, St. Matthew’s bakers and cooks’ offerings of Christmas baked goods and meals are hot ticket items.

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in the Glebe held its first major auction in October 2005 when a relatively minor repair uncovered a need for major work on the church’s exterior. The auctions held since have supported other needed property work and dedicated 15 to 50 percent of net revenues to outreach partners.

Beneficiaries have included the Multifaith Housing Initiative, the Council of the North suicide prevention program, FACES refugee program, the Youth Services Bureau and the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund. Last year’s auction sponsored two rooms in Cornerstone Housing for Women’s new building.

Prior to 2020, auctions were all day in-person events that included food, wine and a tea room. Held every three years, they included live and silent auctions, netting $50,000 to $80,000 each. During the pandemic, St. Matthew’s switched to online auctions in 2020 and now online auctions are held each November. Online auctions typically raise more than $40,000.

St. Matthew’s is grateful for the support provided by Amica, The Glebe, Capital Home Hardware in the Glebe, Davidson’s Jewellers and artist Donna Lynd.