Crews demolished the parish's office at the Our Lady of Peace Church on Tuesday, marking the end of the building's 70 years in Meadow Lake (Submitted photo, Fr. Doug Jeffrey)

By Elliott Knopp

ML Church

Our Lady of Peace says goodbye to former priest’s house

Dec 9, 2020 | 12:00 PM

A historical building attached to a local church has served its final days in the community.

Before being demolished by crews on Tuesday, the rectory at Our Lady of Peace Church stood in the Meadow Lake for nearly 70 years. The structure served as a house for priests and a school for children before becoming the parishioner’s office in its final years.

At the end of its life, the building began to develop issues that required repairs that came with a significant price tag. The parish community decided the cost of having the area renovated and modified to abide by modern safety codes was too much to bear.

The Our Lady of Peace rectory (Fr. Doug Jeffrey)

Father Doug Jeffrey said while the decision came with emotion, making the call to have the building torn down was the right move.

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“It was hard,” Jeffrey said. “It’s not hard when you put the facts in front, and if you can detach yourself from the sentiment that this building has been here for a long time.”

The Our Lady of Peace rectory (Fr. Doug Jeffrey)

“We were experiencing issues with the roof leaking. There was mold, and access was limited to people who were quite mobile. We have some parishioners who couldn’t quite get into the building as easily as they once did.”

The parishioners relocated their offices to the chapel hall and bid farewell to the rectory that served them for seven decades. As Jeffrey reflects on the decision, he said he is excited for new possibilities ahead.

“While there is a sense of sadness about the demolition of the building there is also the realization that as one chapter ends, a new one begins,” Jeffrey said. “Despite COVID-19 times, there is excitement about that! There should be some significant savings for the parish, which is good news any day, but especially these days.”

The Our Lady of Peace rectory (Fr. Doug Jeffrey)

Currently, there are no plans for any new additions once the space has been completely vacated, but Jeffrey mentioned he would explore options on how to utilize the new space when the time comes.

“I’m thinking I will make a garden there in the spring, but that remains to be seen in terms of how everything will unfold here in the parish.”

The Our Lady of Peace rectory (Fr. Doug Jeffrey)

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Elliott.Knopp@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp