Designed
by Joseph Connolly, the same architect who designed both St. Peter's Cathedral
in London, and the magnificent Church of Our Lady in Guelph. “It stands
as the most precise expression of Connelly’s view of gothic architecture.”
(Amy Marshall – Architectural Historian)
St. Patrick's Church in Kinkora is an extraordinary building in an extraordinary community. 105 families at a cost of $30,000.00 constructed the church in 1882. It is a work of faith and love by the original Irish community of immigrants. Subsequently, it has become a house of worship for many of the Dutch immigrants who arrived in the early fifties.
One of the architectural masterpieces of Perth County, it stands in apparent isolation on a country crossroad. Yet, the emigrants from the Emerald Isle, being loyal to and mindful of their birthplace, gave the parish the name of Kinkora "a place of beauty".
St. Patrick’s Parish is a young dedicated Catholic community. 91.1% of our parishioners attend mass on a weekly basis with 59.9% of our population under the age of 45 (Vitality Study). Farm families make up the largest part of our population. With most families working large livestock operations they are dedicated to the land and their parish.
Among the hallmarks of the parish community is the cluster’s yearly Vacation Bible Experience that is shared with St. Brigid’s. The wonderful structure that the parish gathers in is a mere reflection of the life and faith of the community. This 14 million dollar structure is both a blessing and a burden. Yet it is a burden that this generation has the will and ability to restore for future generations.
Currently, the parish is undertaking a renovation project of approximately $1,000,000. St. Patrick's has a small but devoted congregation who in just four years has raised an amazing $500,000.
Priority 1 – To ensure the facility is safe the steeple must be removed and the plaster dealt with. At the time this work is done, the tie rods should be installed as well. To minimize water infiltration, the metal pan around the tower needs to be reworked as part of this initial work. In doing this, we have a couple of options with regard to how far the finishes are restored, but our architect recommends completing all work to the interior nave of the church both structural and decorative, before removing the scaffolding.
Priority 2 – Reinforce the balcony, correcting the deflections and reinforcing the floor to meet appropriate engineering standards. While the consultants do not place as high a priority on this work as the tower removal and plaster repair, we should consider doing this at the same time to minimize disruption to the church.
Priority 3 – The reconstruction of the steeple should be considered only after these structural and safety issues have been addressed.
In 1998, initial investigations were made into the restoration of the interior of the church. After consultation with the diocese, Fr. Bester and the Parish Building Committee contracted Garret & Marklevitz Architects (now Marklevitz Architect) to complete a Compressive Building Condition Report.
On March 4, 1999, a Building Condition Report was issued that outlined a review of structural, mechanical, architectural, electrical, lightning protection and stain glass elements. It helped refocus the priorities of the parish to concentrate on the envelope of the structure before addressing the plaster and paint work.
In spring of 2000, the repointing of the masonry work was tendered with the stain glass windows being included in the project. Isbister Restoration completed the masonry restoration under the supervision of our Architect, Terry Marklevitz.
During the repointing of the tower, it was discovered that the steeple was leaking. Before this time, it was assumed that the steeple, re-clad in the early 90’s, was sound. Under the direction of Gary Minal, Bob Peterman was contracted in 2001 to investigate the condition of the steeple. It was discovered that nearly a decade of water penetration had caused a great deal of rot in the structural members of the steeple.
In the spring of 2002, it was agreed that a comprehensive approach be taken with the steeple. Bob Peterman and Terry Marklevitz were contracted to draw up plans for the replacement of the steeple. Plans for a new steeple consisting of structural steel clad in slate and copper is now complete.
The unexpected cost motivated the Advisory Board to revisit the total expected cost of the restoration project. The Building Committee was asked with the help of Terry Marklevitz to provide a summary of all the costs that were expected for the total restoration project (see Financial Outline).
In the fall of 2002, the Parish Building Committee and the Advisory Board outlined to the parish the entire scope of work that St. Patrick’s requires. This was done in the form of a letter and announcements after mass.
The Building Committee’s and the Advisory Board’s priorities were focused on addressing the envelope of the church first and then as soon as possible addressing the interior. A two-phase project was outlined addressing the steeple first and then the interior.
The parish as a whole has been very supportive of the idea of proceeding in a comprehensive manner, yet there is some frustration that no work has been done since 2000. Thankfully, the money still comes in and now we are ready to tender the entire project.
Based on the success of our fundraising for this project in the past, we have received a $400,000 line of credit to cover the outstanding amount of the entire restoration project. We have raised more than $500,000 and we hope to raise $100,000 a year until our debt is repaid.
a. Interior Scaffolding of entire Church
b. Plaster replacement and repair. Assumed 100% ceiling replacement (11,200 s.f). Assumed 25% wall repair (6,400 s.f.)
c. Decorative Painting of walls and ceilings.
d. Electrical repair/rewiring of devices if in poor condition
a. We assume that this work would be completed during the plaster repair to share scaffolding.
b. Fabricate and install five tie rods and brackets
c. Exterior architectural repair
a. Remove the existing metal pan between the tower and the roof. Replace with copper clad pan and flashing.
a. Structurally reinforce Choir Loft framing
b. Restore architectural finishes and new guardrail to meet requirements of Ontario Building Code
a. Reinforce/modify the existing spire to prepare for removal.
b. Remove existing spire
c. Prepare existing masonry tower walls to receive new spire and to construct the new spire floor
d. Install poured concrete caissons as a construction base for new spire
e. Fabricate and assemble the new steel spire frame on site including the wood nailers
f. Install ½ plywood sheathing to entire spire for new roofing
g. Install 16” X 10” slate roof and 16 oz. lead coated copper flashings and decorative dormers
h. Lightning protection for new spire
a. Replace all eavestrough and downpipe similar to existing with extra down pipes to the rear. All copper 20 oz. plain eavedrip and scaffolding included.
1,106,176.22 Includes all GST and consulting fees Capital Revenues
$363,760.62 Repointing of masonry Isbister Restoration and Consultant Fees
$114,993.51 In Diocesan Loan Fund
$74,504.78 In Parish Building fund (waiting to be deposited to Diocesan Loan Fund)
$553,258.91
Total raised to date
$552,917.31 Maximum needed
Donations have equalled $100,000 a year.
We expect to need only a $400,000 line of credit throughout project.
We are back and we need a bigger sign! After a year's break to work on World Youth Day activities, we find that we have reached our goal of raising $500,000; thanks to your generosity. Wasn't that fun?! Let's do it again!
We brought you pig races, car rallies, Irish nights and sno-pitch tournaments. It has been a lot of work but a lot of fun too.
And now we are ready to do it all over again. On June 22, 2003 we will have our Second Biennial Car Rally with Catholic trivia this time. Come and get lost!
November 21, 2003 we will try something new. We are going high class with a Kinkora twist. This will be a Gala Evening with a down-home theme.
We are always looking for new members. Do not wait to be asked. Join up while there is still money to be raised!
Your overwhelming generosity continues to inspire all, as the restoration of St. Patrick's becomes a reality. In the next year there will be a great deal of activity around our parish. We look forward to your continued support and patience as the construction begins.
For up to date information check out www.stpatricks.rcec.london.on.ca . For e-mail pkeller@rcec.london.on.ca . As always pledge forms are available at the back of the church.
Cheques to be made payable to:
St. Patrick's Restoration Fund
RR#1 Sebringville
Ontario, N0K 1X0
(519) 393-6187
(519) 393-6047 FAX