"Bradford United Church celebrated its 168th anniversary on Sunday, September 15th. The pews were filled for the special service, which included guest speaker, Rev. Dr. William Fritz and the music ministry of Mark Holmes. Dr. fritz was the pastor of Collier St. United Church in Barrie for 20 years, president of the Toronto Conference, and most recently, Associate Pastor at St. Paul United Methodist church in Largo, Florida. The United Church holds its annual Auction Sale on Saturday, Oct. 19th, 7:30 p.m. at the Church. Donations of goods and services are welcomed."
"Rev. Phillip Carroll, Pastor at the Bradford Pentecostal Assembly just North of Town, is getting tired of crawling under buildings to unfreeze water pipes. With that as an incentive, and a growing flock of parishioners to contend with, a unique building project is set to begin at the end of March. For five weeks, volunteer workers from across the province will give up their vacation time to help construct a new church, replacing the two small portable structures at the South-east corner of Highway 11 and the 9th Concession. Each week, the Bradford Pentecostal Assembly holds services for 40 to 60 people in an area no bigger than a primary school classroom. A cold winter helped convince Carroll of the need for larger, modern facilities. The present building "just isn't meeting our needs," he said. The Church building project is being organized under the auspices of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Plans are now in the final stages of preparation, and onl;y a few building permits and a fire code inspection remain as hurdles, before the ceremonial ground-breaking two weeks from now. The new church will have seating for 170, and a full basement with kitchen facilities and classrooms. Carroll estimates the building will cost about $175,000, less than half what it would cost using a more traditional method of construction. A similar project in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, was accomplished in just under two months, and Carroll is sure things will work out in Bradford. "It's going to be very inspiring to watch...the building rise" "
Description : Bats in the tower, a bottle of wine tucked in behind the dated cornerstone, mould and dry rot in the rafters... that's what the Priestly Demolition crews found, as they demolished the old St. John's Presbyterian Church on John St. West in Bradford last weekend. The church came down more quickly than expected. When crews removed the windows in the east wall, it bowed outwards, creating safety concerns. And when part of the roof was removed, to lessen the possibility of unexpected collapse, a portion of the brickwork on the east wall fell. Structural safety was one of the key concerns that led the Presbyterian Church to sell the 112 year old building. Bulging walls, rotting rafters - estimates suggested that over $500,000 in repairs were needed, simply to preserve the structure. The cost did not include expansion, or the provision of handicapped access or washrooms. The Presbyterian Church instead has built a new St. John's Presbyterian, on Middletown Sideroad - a "House of God" that is completely handicapped accessible, large enough to accommodate the congregation, with a gymnasium and room for community outreach, filled with light and air, and free of hazardous mould. It is a vibrant expression of the Presbyterian Church in Bradford West Gwillimbury. The John St. property was sold to the neighbouring Trinity Anglican Church. Although the land will be used as a parking lot in the short term, the Anglican Church is fundraising to someday raise a new "House of God" on the site.
"Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Pat Storey (with shovel) helps to turn the sod at trinity Anglican Church in Bradford. Sod-breaking ceremony, for new addition & handicap access, took place Sunday."
"Item 58 may have been bidding on himself. One of the more interesting items up for grabs at the Trinity Anglican Church auction, a pet lamb, made more noise than a table full of bidders on Friday night. The yearly auction, held to raise money for the planned addition to the church, featured 155 items ranging from peanut butter cookies to a hot-air balloon ride. A smart bidder could have walked away from the evening never having to mow a lawn or make dinner ever again. Local auctioneer Allen Homer kept the crowd's attention with his unique mix of humor and quick-paced auctionese. Homer donates his time each year to help the church raise funds. Plans for the addition include an elevator, a handicapped washroom and parking spaces, outdoor ramps and a parson's study."
"Every year, Bradford's Trinity Anglican Church holds the largest charity auction in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Items up for bids range from the sublime - a diamond ring, donated by Universal Gems; a hot air balloon ride donated by Hugh Adams - to the downright silly. Last year, under the direction of auctioneer Allen Homer, bidding was fierce for the right to shave off the beards of two hirsute volunteers. This year, the event will be raising funds to install a handicapped access ramp and an elevator at the church. The auction takes place Friday, May 13th, 7:30 p.m. at the Bradford Arena. There is no admission charge. Refreshments can be purchased."
