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Friday, March 27, 2015
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USED SALE 20
Slightly used gm’s to choose from!
BANNISTER
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM DL#9133
Historic home comes crashing down JENNIFER SMITH
I
Morning Star Staff
t was a bittersweet day as a piece of Vernon’s history turned to rubble Thursday. The old rectory next to the All Saints Anglican Church was demolished, after unsuccessful attempts were made to sell the historic home for $1 to anyone who would move it. “It’s sad to see it gone,” said Associate Priest Jane Bourcet as she reminisced. Originally built in 1892 as a home for William Maurice Cochrane, the structure has housed many over the years. In 1904, it served as a school for boys before the church took possession in 1912. It then housed incumbent priests in it until 1993, including Reverend Paul Robinson and his wife Pat and their children. It was also like a second home to Bourcet, who came to town in 1983 fresh out of seminary, and was ordained at All Saints. “I have fond memories of kids and dinners,” she said. “I dressed for my wedding in that rectory and walked over to that church. I have special memories of waiting for a midnight service to start and we’d be over there hanging out.” It served as a second home to her own kids, who were among those who picked from the fruit tree that was once there, and hunted for Easter eggs in the yard. “I spent a lot of time in that house.” The building was later rented to families, leased on and off, was home to a recovery program for women on the street and provided space to Venture Training. But following an extended vacancy, the church could no longer afford to maintain the home, as the foundation began to crumble. “It began to age to the point where we couldn’t keep it to building standards,” said Bourcet. “We tried every way we could.”
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
An LRM Contracting excavator rips into the old rectory next to All Saints Anglican Church on the corner of 27th Street and 32nd Avenue Thursday. The 123-year-old building (pictured right in its prime) will likely be replaced with parking and green space. See a video at vernonmorningstar.com That included listing the home for a loonie, with the stipulation that whoever bought it would have to move it. Although there was some interest, such a costly venture (estimated to be a minimum $100,000) wasn’t viable. Therefore the decision to demolish was made. “It’s time to move on,” said Bourcet. The space, at the corner of 27th Street and 32nd Avenue, will likely be replaced by some additional parking stalls and green space. Bourcet envisions a place where walkers can stop for a break halfway up the hill, or a spot for people to come to pause and reflect. “Sometimes we forget how
VERNON
valuable a patch of green is to a community.” Although it will be different seeing the empty space that was once home to so many memories, new ones are hoped to be made. “It’s going to be amazing how it changes the corner.” Although the view will change without the towering home, the lot still has an abundance of trees to offer a shady rest. The idea of a community garden has also been bantered around and other ideas are welcome. More grandiose plans, such as affordable housing, have been discussed but are not in the budget. The church will vote on what will become of the property.
S S E N MAD Honest Otto's
TOYOTA
DL# 30382
250-545-0687 • 3401 - 48 Ave Vernon VISIT US 24/7 AT VERNONTOYOTA.COM th
SALE
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