The Anglican Church announced it would close seven churches on Vancouver Island due to declining attendance and revenues, but one reverend says there's still a light at the end of the tunnel.
Over the next 18 months, the churches will be sold or leased and their parishioners relocated to four newly created "hub" churches designed to serve a wider community. The dramatic decision was made using a set of recommendations put forward by the Diocese of British Columbia earlier this year.
Rev. Christopher Parsons is the rector for two of the parishes being closed, St. Columba and St. Martin, but the 34-year-old said he is nothing but pleased with the church's decision.
"I feel a lot of excitement, I think this is exactly what needs to be done," he said. "To use a surf analogy, it's kind of like we're on the verge of catching a big wave."
Parsons admitted the church council didn't come to the decision easily, but said he has faith his parishioners will embrace the move.
"There are people who remember travelling to school on a horse and buggy and now they're telecommunicating. They've seen so much change already."
And while the buildings themselves may be gone, the sense of community will continue on at the larger hub churches, Parsons said.
"The very unique ministries that parishes provide and offer to their communities don't stop. Those things continue. It's just that we can do them better, faster, smarter from a different place."
Churches that will be closed down over the next year-and-a-half include:
- St. Saviour, Victoria
- St. Martin in the fields, Victoria
- St. Columba, View Royal
- All Saints, View Royal
- St. Philip, Oak Bay
- St. Mary, Oak Bay
- St. Andrew, Cowichan
Money made from the sale of disestablished churches will fund new programs and church maintenance. More than a dozen other churches will continue to operate and be reassessed by the church at a later date.
