COMMUNITY NEWS

Pastor Joel Sherbino says guests will have the chance to witness the official unveiling of the church’s stunning renovations by community leaders, explore the transformed spaces, discover the congregation’s vision brought to life through storytelling and music and hear firsthand how the renovated space will benefit the community.

“We strive to be a church not simply 'in' the community but one that is 'for' our community To create spaces that benefit our community,” explains Sherbino. “On average we have between 12-14 groups (both church and community related) using our building. That works out to 15,000 people yearly using our building. This includes small groups, youth and kids, the Embers, summer camps, concerts and plays, our Community Dinner and the Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise ”

Theatre production groups and musicians get better use of the renovated sanctuary platform and upgraded sound system; the Girl

Guides of Paris (amongst many other groups too) love the expanded, open space for their meetings; the sounds of kids’ playing at summer camps pour from the church doors in the summer – all of this possible because of the renovation. With such roots in the community, it only made sense to change the church’s name from Paris Presbyterian Church to Paris Community Church

“That is why our tag line is 'forparis'. Therefore, we felt that it was appropriate to change the name of our church. To have a name that is simple and conveys that we are for our community. We are still a Presbyterian church, and that remains unchanged,” said Sherbino

To date the project has cost $2 5 million and that includes a $700,000 mortgage. Approximately $260,000 was saved and on hand before the project commenced. Since the fundraising campaign began in 2020, a total of $1, 460, 814 was donated to the project. The group also accessed funds through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The Paris Presbyterian Church is one of the founding buildings in Paris. If you look through old photos of Paris, undoubtedly the church will sit perched on top of the hill coming out of downtown, in all its glory.

Designed by Thomas J Rutley (1847-1910) of Chatham Ontario, the church effectively meets the Victorian demand for grandeur, size and scale in church architecture. The building stands with its French Chateau style tower and four corner minarets, textured bricks, a stepped brickwork cornice, moulded brickwork in door and window arches. Mrs. John Penman laid the cornerstone in 1893 The complete cost to build and furnish the church at that time was $56,000

If you’d like to learn more about Paris Community Church, drop by the celebration on Sunday. You can also find more information online.

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