PH26573 - Church

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Community : Bradford
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Description : The Springdale Christian Reformed Church marked another milestone in its 46 year history, with the formal Dedication of its new church, on Friday, May 22nd. The octagonal wood and stone church, its clear glass windows overlooking the Holland Marsh, was filled nearly to capacity for the special ceremony. Invited guests included M.P. Aileen Carroll, M.P.P. Joe Tascona, the Mayors of King Township and Bradford West Gwillimbury, and 5 of the church's 7 pastors. The original white frame Springdale church was completed in 1952, for a congregation of 46 families, and 14 single members. Just two years later, the area was flooded by Hurricane Hazel, causing extensive damage to the building. By 1955, the church was restored and redecorated, and continued to serve a growing population. Now one of the largest Christian Reformed congregations in Canada, the church members began talking about an expansion project and a new building back in the 1980s. In 1994 an Ad Hoc Committee, reporting that 25% of the congregation was under the age of 25, urged the expansion - and in 1996, a Steering Committee and Stewardship Program were created, as the church was "Called to Grow." The Committee looked at 30 different drawings, before coming up with the final design - fully wheelchair accessible, air conditioned, with seating for between 600 and 700 people on padded pews. The church is also a community centre, with a fellowship hall, gymnasium, babysitting facilities, classrooms and library. Construction began in 1997, not at the site of the old church, but on higher ground in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, at the bottom of the 5th Sideroad - the former site of the Springdale school and community centre. With volunteer efforts, and donations from the local businesses and church members, the building was completed this spring.