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Coming down

THUNDER BAY -- A church's prayers have been answered after city council voted to let it demolish a building on its property.
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Trinity United Church past chair Jim Jackson. (Jamie Smith, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- A church's prayers have been answered after city council voted to let it demolish a building on its property.

Facing an aging and dwindling congregation Trinity United Church struggling with capital costs over the years to try and keep the iconic building on the corner of Waverly Street and Algoma Street in good shape. That's been at the expense of the former home of its ministers, called a manse, despite paying around $7,000 a year for the minimum amount needed.

With a new roof needed and around $100,000 in upgrades needed, the church wanted to demolish the home, which hasn't been used in more than 20 years. Since the building is on the heritage registry, it was recommended that the church pay to keep the home, something that Trinity's past chair Jim Jackson said wouldn't be possible. The church has no reserve fund and any money it raises goes to capital repairs for the main building itself.

"In our mind it's at the risk of being condemned," Jackson said of the manse.

"It's something we just don't need."

Councillors Iain Angus and Andrew Foulds asked if the church would consider severing its property and selling the manse.

"Is there a possible win-win?" Foulds asked.

Jackson said the congregation wouldn't want to lose control over what happens on property that's so close to the church itself.

Coun. Joe Virdiramo said often times people who own derelict properties stop paying taxes, which eventually becomes the city's problem. The church has been diligently paying taxes and other costs for the manse all these years.

Council voted against the recommendation, allowing the manse to be torn down. 

"I think we have to respect them," Coun. Mark Bentz said.

Coun. Brian McKinnon said the church has struggled with the manse for decades.

"It's had its time," he said.





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