SHEGUIANDAH—Members of the United Church community gathered at two locations recently in order to deliver donations to two worthy causes, the maintenance of the Howland Seniors’ Hall and the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah. Spokesperson Tom Batman, whose settler family is commemorated in a period room within the museum, delivered the $10,000 cheques in two small ceremonies.
Mr. Batman noted that the money being presented came from the sale of the United Church property in Sheguiandah following the decommissioning of the church. He said that securing the funds for local organizations had proven challenging, but in the end the trustees and congregation of Sheguiandah United Church had been successful. “It was a long process,” he said.
Mr. Batman noted that Gail Cronin, who was unfortunately away during the ceremonies, was responsible for the lion’s share of the work in securing the funding. The Sheguiandah congregation had “no control” over the fate of the funds derived from the sale of the church property, he noted, and what followed the sale was a two-year negotiation over how the funds would be used. The United Church has a set formula for where such funds are distributed, including the church archives and Indigenous outreach programs.
“You do a great deal for the community,” said Mr. Batman in presenting a $10,000 cheque to the Howland Seniors.
He noted that a huge picture is being created to commemorate the church, a collage of the many weddings that took place in the church. He expressed hope that the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah will someday have a display featuring the church and that future generations will be able to see their ancestors in the picture.
Following the presentation at the Seniors’ Hall, the United Church gathering moved to the museum where a similar cheque was presented to curator Lisa Hallaert.
“We will be able to put the money to good use towards Centennial Museum,” said Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin of the $10,000 donation. “It’s really something that people look forward to seeing every year and this will be helpful in making sure they can add to the exhibits and make it even a greater place than it is now. I look forward to seeing it.”
