Mystery and intrigue have gripped a small sea-side Newfoundland town after someone toppled the steeple of the community's 115-year-old Anglican church, a violation some residents are calling an "act of vengeance".
The steeple of the historic St. Philip's Anglican Church in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, N.L., was found lying next to the church yesterday shortly after 8 a.m. local time, after it appeared to have been deliberately pulled down.
Mayor Bill Fagan says the city believes a group of about three people managed to get onto the roof of the church where they sawed through the four steeple supports, tied a rope around the structure and pulled it down using a large vehicle.
"People can't believe this has happened," he said. "We have a very quiet and law-abiding town. It's very sad. People were in tears this morning seeing the destruction of a landmark in the community".
The vandalism comes at a time when emotions are running high in this town of 6,500 just outside St. John's in the debate over the future of the historic building, which was deconsecrated several years ago and is now being used to store recyclables.
The church's minister, Reverend Edward Keeping, has been insisting for the past year that the building be demolished because it is no longer needed, thanks to a larger, modern church that was built adjacent to the old building six years ago. However, many parishioners and residents want to save the old deconsecrated building in the hope that it can be turned into a museum.
"The fact is, the parish wants it out of there and seems focused on demolishing it," said Steve Sharpe, president of Church by the Sea, a community group intent on protecting the old church, which was built in 1894 on the partial foundation of the original 1848 building. The group has submitted to Rev. Keeping a 13-page proposal offering to look after the building and suggesting sources of funding. But there has been no response.
On Tuesday night, town council rejected an application by the church ministry to demolish the building, a move that was widely lauded by residents. But what happened after the meeting has been the talk of the town and has many people pointing fingers in the wake of yesterday's vandalism.
Mr. Sharpe says as he was leaving the council meeting, he met Rev. Keeping in front of the town hall. Local media on scene described Rev. Keeping pointing his finger in Mr. Sharpe's face, warning him not to come near the cemetery or church again.
"As he turned to leave, he was obviously upset and said a few words that he probably regrets saying today," Mr. Sharpe told the National Post. "I'd just like to sit down with someone and talk about this sensibly to see if we can solve the problem and make the best use of the old church building".
Earlier in the week, at an information meeting for parishioners, residents questioned Rev. Keeping over his determination to tear the old church down. Before leaving, he is alleged to have told the audience: "Just you wait and see. I'll show you what I can do." Several calls to Rev. Keeping were not returned yesterday.
Long-time Portugal Cove-St. Philip's resident Winston Fiander says he looks out at the church every morning when he opens his blinds, and what he saw yesterday at about 7:30 a.m. was no different. "The tower was still standing when I woke up," he said.
About an hour later, he says he got a phone call from a friend telling him the steeple had been ripped down. "I was shocked, and I was angered at this despicable act of vengeance".
Mr. Fiander said not one person representing the church ownership, including Rev. Keeping, showed up today to survey the damage. "I think it speaks volumes".
Local police say they can't commence a criminal investigation until they receive a complaint from the church's owners, which has not been done at this point. Mayor Fagan said last night he has not heard from anyone from the church ministry.
For now, it appears residents concerned with the church's fate have been granted something of a reprieve. Following the discovery of the toppled steeple yesterday, town council called an emergency meeting and declared the old church a heritage structure, meaning it can't be torn down.
"If anything, this event has given people greater resolve to put the steeple back to its rightful place," Mr. Fagan said.
National Post
