By Carolyn Duncan
Two churches are on track to be “married” next year. The amalgamation of the First United and McLeod-Stewarton United Churches is a move to deal with shrinking attendance numbers at both churches.
“There’s a changing demography of Centretown,” said Grant Dillenbeck, interim minister of McLeod-Stewarton. “Many people from the congregation have moved away and we need to make changes that will continue into the long term.”
Representative teams from both First United Church on Kent Street and McLeod-Stewarton on Bank Street recently held a final vote on the proposed merger.
“Both groups have agreed that it’s time to move forward,” says Dillenbeck. “We’re very excited.” An employee from First United says the move will take a long time and planning is still in a very preliminary stage. “We can’t say when the merge will happen, it’s just too far from now,” she says. “There are a lot of fine details to sort out.”
One detail has had Ottawa residents wondering what would happen with the empty First United Church. It could become any number of things, but Dillenbeck says they really do not know.
“We’re having another meeting in June to establish our common vision, goals and values,” he said. “Then by September, we hope to have another meeting to discuss the physical details.”
A final move would not likely happen until about a year from now.
“There are so many things to sort out right now,” says the employee from First United.
After the two churches agree on a shared vision that would shape the new congregation, they will move on to more specific issues.
Both church buildings were old and in need of repair, and both churches continue to put some money towards upkeep. When amalgamation time comes, the new church will have its work cut out in proposing alternatives for the empty church. “People are keeping the building in the forefront of the issues,” said Dillenbeck.
He added that moving into one congregation would still provide the community support that both churches already provide. McLeod-Stewarton provides support and space to Centre 507, which acts as an outreach program and drop-in centre for community members who are both economically and socially disadvantaged.