Ground Breaking Ceremony

*Saturday May 30th, 11:00 AM
Prayers can be answered. The proof was that the rain held off during the Church of the Epiphany’s ground breaking ceremony. In fact the weather was hot and sunny, though a bit on the humid side. Rev Teresa Corrigan welcomed the guests and dignitaries to initiate the ground breaking ceremony which will once again bless the community of Manor Park with an accessible community hall type facility.
Epiphany (the little church that cares) has started down the road to accessibility. The ground breaking ceremony represents the beginning of three months of construction. The end result will be an addition that will join the church and memorial hall together and make them both fully accessible.
The planned addition will house an elevator and an accessible washroom. This does not come cheap or easy for Epiphany. Fundraising began nearly eight years ago. To date, almost $500,000 has been raised – thanks to the efforts of the congregation, their supporters, various donors, and generous grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Federal Government’s Enabling Accessibility Program, The Westminster College Foundation, and St James Westminster Church.
Archdeacon Sam Thomas led off the addresses by reading a letter from the Bishops. Minister of State for Science and Technology Ed Holder was next, bringing greetings from the Federal Government. Ms Peggy Sattler, MPP for London West, reflected on how the loss of Manor and Highland Park Public School deprived Manor Park of an accessible meeting place, and how Epiphany has stepped up to the plate by making their Memorial Hall accessible. Councillor Stephen Turner, representing the City of London, congratulated Epiphany for their fundraising efforts, pointing out that the congregation had raised well over $200,000 – nearly 50% of the funding required. Mr. Ross MacDonald told how pleased the Ontario Trillium Foundation was to be involved in this partnership. By coincidence, another Stephen Turner (warden for St James Westminster Church) talked about how proud his church was of the work done by their offspring. (The Church of the Epiphany was founded as a mission by St James Westminster).
The touching ceremony was made more memorable by trumpeter Paul Stevenson who played several pieces during the service and an especially moving hymn during the release of a dozen white doves at its conclusion.
Architectural and engineering drawings are complete. Construction will be starting as soon as building permits are obtained and hopefully will be complete for October 18th – when Epiphany celebrates their 100th anniversary.

*Here’s some photos from our ground breaking ceremony