In 2024, following a detailed investigation and evaluation of alternatives to address the declining state-of-repair of our church tower, our Construction Manager at that time (Matt Morey) and our Engineer (RJC) established the following 2-phase tower restoration program:

• A five-year “maintenance” phase (2024-2028) with annual monitoring and essential local repairs, to maintain the structural integrity of the tower and to prevent any further degradation of the structure.
• A two-year “reconstruction” phase (2029/2030) with the wholesale deconstruction and reconstruction of significant portions of the tower.

In year 1 of the “maintenance” phase (2024), the four pinnacles were removed with other local repairs to the tower.

At that time, the Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Costs (OPC) for the “reconstruction” phase was $2.5 million (excluding HST and soft costs). These costs were far beyond the capabilities of St. Mark’s and the local community to raise, and we would require significant external support to raise these funds. No potential sources for such external support were identified, however.

Therefore, in year 2 of the “maintenance phase” (2025), this program was paused and the contracts for the Construction Manager and Engineer were not extended. Instead, alternative approaches to the tower restoration, at potentially lower costs, were pursued.

With the support of several experienced building engineers (all at no cost the St. Marks), the concept design for an Alternative Approach was developed. This concept involved the creation of a new, reinforced integral inner wall, using high-strength, flexible concrete, with the existing outer stone wall retained, acting as the exterior framework.

Earlier this year it was decided by the wardens and Parish Council to further explore the feasibility and likely costs of this Alternative Approach, and a contract was subsequently awarded to our previous Engineer (RJC) to conduct such an evaluation.  RJC were also awarded a contract to conduct a visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the tower to identify any further deterioration of the tower structure since their previous inspections.

As part of the Engineer’s evaluation, they obtained cost estimates from two independent contractors for both the Alternative Approach (installation of an interior concrete core) as well as for the “Original Reconstruction Approach”.  The lowest cost estimate for the Alternative Approach was unfortunately significantly higher than the lowest cost estimate for the Original Reconstruction Approach.  In addition, our Engineer raised several concerns related to the Alternative Approach.

As such, the wardens and Parish Council decided to discontinue further consideration of the Alternative Approach and revert to the previous 2-phase tower restoration program.

With respect to the “maintenance” phase, our Engineer, following their latest inspections, has recommended stabilizing a portion of tower where the wythes of the stone masonry wall are separating at the fourth floor on the west elevation.  We are therefore currently tendering for this work with the goal to complete these interim repairs this fall.

With respect to the “reconstruction” phase, we are left with the challenge of how to raise the total funds required which will surely significantly exceed the original $2.5 million estimate.

We recognize that a project of this magnitude extends well beyond the fundraising capacity of our congregation alone. Its success would depend upon significant support from the broader community, including local, provincial, and national partners. Before embarking on such an ambitious capital campaign, therefore, it is both responsible and prudent for us to determine whether there is indeed sufficient interest, enthusiasm, and philanthropic capacity to support the restoration.

To this end, with the approval of the wardens and Parish Council, St. Mark's has awarded a contract to a highly experienced consulting firm (BNP Inspire) to undertake a Pre-Campaign Feasibility Study. The purpose of this study is to assess whether this is the appropriate time to launch a capital campaign for the restoration of the tower and to determine the level of support that may exist within the wider community.  This study will provide:

• An assessment of the significance and relevance of the tower restoration project to the wider community.
• A detailed evaluation of the local philanthropic landscape as it relates to this project.
• Practical recommendations and a strategic roadmap should we decide to proceed with a capital fundraising campaign.
• The identification of potential donors, community partners, and volunteers who may wish to become involved.

Work is currently underway on this study, with results available later this year.

We believe this study represents an important investment in careful planning and faithful stewardship. It will provide us with objective information to help guide future decisions and enable us to move forward with confidence as we consider the long-term future of this significant heritage project.

Further updates will be provided as new information comes available.

This Sunday will be our monthly collection for the Kingston Partners in Mission Food Bank.  Donations can be left at the back of  the church. For example:

• Money * (your dollars contribute to higher purchasing power)
• Canned meat & fish
• Peanut butter, jam
• Stews, canned tomatoes
• Baby food, formula, diapers
• Pasta, pasta sauce
• Cereal
• 100% Fruit juice

Empty egg cartons also needed.

* We have special envelopes for those wishing to donate financially.  Cheques should be made payable to the Partners in Mission Food Bank.

Sunday, August 30, being the fifth Sunday of the month, is our potluck lunch following the 10:30 service.

Parishioners are invited to bring lunch items on Sunday that we will share together, in lieu of the usual coffee time. A potluck is what it is: we take our chances and share whatever people bring including casseroles, cold meat, cheeses, salads, veggie platters, fruit platters and (hopefully) some light desserts.

Please plan to attend for some good food and fellowship. A rare chance to get to know those people in our Parish you haven’t had the opportunity to talk with. There will be coffee and tea too!

St. Mark's Book Club will be meeting at 2:30 on Monday, September 21, to discuss the book "Out of my Comfort Zone - a journey with God into the unknown", by Beverley Rupke.

This book is a two-part memoir sharing stories from Bev Rupke's three decades of overseas ministry, initially serving as a single missionary, and then meeting and working alongside her husband, Chris.

Though ordinary days and extraorinary encounters, these stories reveal God's faithfulness, provision and guidance. and the surprising ways He works in ordinary lives.

The book is available on Amazon (paperback and kindle).  All proceeds from this book will go to support the African Hope school where Bev and Chris served for almost 10 years, and various other refugee work in Africa. 

Bev and Chris are known to many at St. Mark's and the photo above is from their visit here in June 2018.  St. Mark's supported their misionary work at the African Hope school for many years.

For further information, please contact Alan Rumsey (alan@planetrumsey.ca) 

A number of people have received an email that appears to have come from Rev. Sandra, inviting them to a celebration.  This is a fake (phishing) email and should be ingnored.  Do not open any attachments.  

Tips for spotting phishing emails:

1) Check email address and sender name

2) Look for poor grammar & urgency

3) Check for suspicious attachments or links.