Parishioners at Grace United Church and community supporters will gather for a vigil tonight after an overnight fire destroyed the church.
The vigil will start at 7 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the Minnow Lake-area church.
“It's a place to bear witness to what the church means to us,” said Rev. Melody Duncanson-Hales, a regional minister with the United Church of Canada.
She spoke to Sudbury.com about the church's destruction this afternoon in place of Grace United's minister, Rev. Erin Todd, who is preparing to present a liturgy at tonight's vigil.
“There has been a lot of grief and a lot of lamentation, especially for a number of our older parishioners and those that have been with Grace for their whole life,” said Duncanson-Hales, who provides congregational support for the church, and does not have a parish of her own.
“This is place where marriages have happened and baptisms have been celebrated and sacraments have been shared. It's deeply meaningful for people ... This is not what people expected to see at any time in their lives.”
Greater Sudbury Fire Services told Sudbury.com they were called to Grace United Church twice Wednesday evening.
They investigated a report of a lightning strike at the church at around 6 p.m. Three trucks were dispatched and firefighters searched the area for about half an hour before departing.
Then, at around 9 p.m., they were called out to Grace United once again after flames broke out.
It took firefighters five or six hours to put out the blaze, and they were still on scene early Thursday morning, putting out hot spots.
The fire's cause is under investigation.
Duncanson-Hales, who lives in the Minnow Lake area, said she was on site at the fire from about 11 p.m. last night until around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, and back at the church at around 8 a.m.
“There were parishioners there,” she said. “We gathered in prayer.”
While the building has been destroyed, Duncanson-Hales said the congregation does have insurance. Whether or not the church will be rebuilt is “up to the local congregation,” she said.
“We all understand that it's a building, it's not who we are,” she said. “It houses our community, but our church is the people. It's our mission. It's our love and care for each other and our faithfulness that marks us as a church.”
Until recently, Grace United Church was known as St. Luke's United Church.
The congregations of St. Luke's and Trinity United Church in Garson amalgamated in January 2018, and made the former St. Luke's building their home. According to the church's website, the church building was completed in 1941.
“I'm well acquainted with the congregation,” said Duncanson-Hales, adding Grace United is her community church. “They're very strong. They're a very resilient congregation.”
Unfortunately, Trinity United Church has been sold and is now a private residence, so it can't be used for services.
Duncanson-Hales said neighbouring churches have already been in touch with Grace United to offer up their space. Sunday's service will likely be held outside, as the church often holds outdoor services in the summer.
The priest said Grace United Church is also home to the Minnow Lake/New Sudbury Co-operative Nursery School. Sudbury.com plans to reach out to the daycare about the fire as well.
In case you'd like to attend the vigil, Grace United Church is located at 1520 Bancroft St. Duncanson-Hales asks that people bring lawn chairs.
Sudbury.com will provide coverage after the vigil.
