The tiny Island Brook United Church has closed its doors and is up for sale. In a special meeting of de-consecration, the church building was offered for "repurposing," in the words of Pastor Tami Spires. Some 70 people attended the service, including Muriel and Irwin Watson. They had been married in the church exactly 63 years earlier, to the day.
"It is sad to close the doors to this church, but it will always hold a special place in many people's hearts. The building may go, but the memories made there, or the relationships formed there, or the faith celebrated there will never go." That was a message from former pastor Barbara Willard in an email that Minister Spires read during the de-consecration service.
The church was built in 1870 as the Methodist Church of Island Brook. It became part of the United Church of Canada in 1925. It has not been used full-time since 1969, but it still holds memories for many members of the United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge. Other United churches in the group are in Cookshire, Sawyerville, Bury and Brookbury. The church building is on cemetery property and will have to be moved, said Minister Spires.
