When I was on leave five years ago I spent two months in the "pastor protection program" my term for the choice to go off to a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere north of Sharbot Lake Ontario. Fortunately I could have remarkable quiet time and still be joined by my wife, Ruth, for three days every week.
I wasn't required to attend church but I did connect on Sundays with a tiny congregation served by a retired minister who was a thoughtful preacher. Ompah United Church was part of a two-point charge with Plevna and both were small. The sanctuary seated maybe forty uncomfortably (the pews were ancient instruments of torture.) There was a lovely view of the trees out a front window. This was the only photo I could find online, but you can see that window.
Ompah, which sounds like a Greek toast --Ompah! -- or perhaps the sound made by a tuba, was quite a contrast with the very active faith community of St. Paul's. One Sunday there were more than twenty people in worship and I could tell folk were elated. The day after their big roast beef dinner there were maybe ten. The older gang was too tired to come to church!
I was just back in the area with Ruth for a couple of days of R&R after our St. Paul's farewell. I received notice last week that both congregations have closed and that in May there will be a service of deconsecration for the building. Sad, but inevitable.
The strength of the United Church through the decades has been as much in rural communities as in urban centres -- maybe more. But the world has changed. We have become an urbanized and secular society and those churches which were once community hubs just can't sustain themselves.
Well done to the good and faithful servants in Ompah and many other congregations which are in their twilight moments.
Thoughts?
That sucks.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing more depressing than a closed church is a closed school. Here's hoping that someone with an eye for history and a caring touch buys that place and turns it into a special home, etc.
Sharbot Lake is beautfiul, too. Many a time as a student at Queen's, we'd rip up into that neck of the world to, er, "congregate."
(Not quite the same thing as your experience, David!)
A couple of our (sadly) deceased friends at Bridge Street, Grace and Gord Mullins, had a cottage at Ompah and used to worship at Ompah UC in the summers. You may heve met them in years past.(G&G were some of my favourite "Older than I" congregants at BSUC - still miss them!)
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in Quebec I've seen a number of churches close up over the past 20 years. Big churches too.
ReplyDeleteThe United church in Lachute Quebec has been sold to the city. It is as big a building as Trinity in Bowmanville. It was a bustling hive of activity when I was a kid. Now it is going to be transformed into a library.
Lachute is the same town that had a large Catholic church that was surrounded with caution tape for 5 years because it was literally falling appart. The city eventually moved in and demolished it for safety reasons.
Hello to Judy, and all of you at Bridge St.
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky bunch to have David coming next month.
He, and Ruth will be missed here at St. Pauls.
God bless.
Thank you sjd - we are looking forward to meeting and greeting, and having David and Ruth in our midst - blessings to you folk at St. Paul's as well.
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