More than four and a half years after the final service at the old Brechin United Church, the first service will be finally be held at the new church next weekend.
The church on Estevan Road opened its doors to the public for the first time Saturday, Dec. 10, for the annual Christmas Cookie Walk fundraiser.
It was “kind of a soft opening,” said Val Neilson, church member.
“As you can see, we’ve got lots of empty spaces still, things aren’t all put away. It’s going to be, I think, a months-long process to really get us moved in and settled with community groups that are going to want to use the spaces,” she said. “We didn’t really want to elevate people’s expectations that we’re up and running.”
The final service at the old Brechin United was Easter Sunday in 2018, and the building was demolished two months later. The new church is attached to a five-storey apartment building, with half the units dedicated to affordable housing through a partnership with the provincial government.
READ ALSO: Nanaimo’s Brechin United Church demolished
Church member Marilyn Huffman said it was exciting to walk into the new Brechin United for the first time this week, though she recognizes how much work is still ahead.
“We always knew that we would get it built back up, but it was taking longer than we anticipated…” she said. “It means lots of relief and lots of excitement.”
The cookie walk was supposed to happen last weekend at Hope Lutheran Church – which has been accommodating to its Brechin United neighbours these past few years – but the event was cancelled due to snow.
“And then we realized, you know what? We might be far enough along that we can do it here,” said Neilson. “So it is really fun to be doing it here.”
Brechin United has been holding Sunday services at Sands Funeral Chapel, but starting next Sunday, Dec. 18, services will be be held at the new church. Church members said an official opening isn’t expected to happen until late winter or early spring.
READ ALSO: Brechin United looking back at the life of times of the church
READ ALSO: Brechin United Church redevelopment receives city’s blessing
READ ALSO: Province to partner with church to build new affordable housing in Nanaimo
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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