The Paris Independent
5
October 28, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS Pastor Joel Sherbino says guests Guides of Paris (amongst many donated to the project. The group will have the chance to witness the other groups too) love the also accessed funds through the official unveiling of the church’s expanded, open space for their Ontario Trillium Foundation. stunning renovations by meetings; the sounds of kids’ The Paris Presbyterian Church is community leaders, explore the playing at summer camps pour one of the founding buildings in transformed spaces, discover the from the church doors in the Paris. If you look through old congregation’s vision brought to summer – all of this possible photos of Paris, undoubtedly the life through storytelling and music because of the renovation. With church will sit perched on top of and hear firsthand how the such roots in the community, it the hill coming out of downtown, renovated space will benefit the only made sense to change the in all its glory. community. church’s name from Paris Designed by Thomas J. Rutley Presbyterian Church to Paris “We strive to be a church not (1847-1910) of Chatham Ontario, Community Church. simply 'in' the community but one the church effectively meets the that is 'for' our community. To “That is why our tag line is Victorian demand for grandeur, create spaces that benefit our 'forparis'. Therefore, we felt that size and scale in church community,” explains it was appropriate to change the architecture. The building stands Sherbino. “On average we have name of our church. To have a with its French Chateau style between 12-14 groups (both name that is simple and conveys tower and four corner minarets, church and community related) that we are for our textured bricks, a stepped using our building. That works out community. We are still a brickwork cornice, moulded to 15,000 people yearly using our Presbyterian church, and that brickwork in door and window building. This includes small remains unchanged,” said arches. Mrs. John Penman laid the groups, youth and kids, the Sherbino. cornerstone in 1893. The complete Embers, summer camps, concerts cost to build and furnish the To date the project has cost $2.5 and plays, our Community Dinner church at that time was $56,000. million and that includes a and the Raw Carrot Soup $700,000 mortgage. If you’d like to learn more about Enterprise.” Approximately $260,000 was Paris Community Church, drop by Theatre production groups and saved and on hand before the the celebration on Sunday. You musicians get better use of the project commenced. Since the can also find more information renovated sanctuary platform and fundraising campaign began in online. upgraded sound system; the Girl 2020, a total of $1, 460, 814 was Major renovations and upgrades were completed the 130-year-old Paris Presbyterian Church over the last few years. Enhanced community spaces, including a sanctuary equipped for theatre productions, musicians and basically anyone who wants to perform for an audience, has allowed the church to become even more acquainted with the community, which is why it’s now referred to as the #forParisCentre
