It’s been a United Church for more than 90 years, but soon Shiloh Sixth Avenue church will have a new owner.
The sale of 105-year-old church isn’t official just yet. (Listing Realtor George McLachrie with Colliers International wouldn’t say who bought the church or when exactly the closing date is). But already the congregation is preparing for the imminent move – a move Reverend Shannon Tennant believes is best for her congregation.
“I know it’s going to be a hard transition time, but it is my hope that the sense of mission and the depths of faith of this congregation that will allow them to realize that this is a change – it’s an ending with a beginning,” Tennant said.
The decision to list the property came down to either sinking more money into the aging building or moving the congregation and using the profits for more outreach work in the community.
In about a month’s time, the flock will pack up their things and head to St. Barnabas Anglican Church on Fifth Avenue. While details are still being hammered out, Tennant said they plan on renting office and storage space, and the two congregations will stagger their Sunday services to accommodate each other.
The agreement with St. Barnabas will be in place for a trial period of about six months, and then the congregation will decide if the arrangement will continue permanently.
While Tennant is optimistic about the move, she didn’t want to downplay the sense of loss many of herparishioners are feeling.
“It’s mixed. It’s really hard to leave a building that’s so beautiful and beloved. That is a big loss,” she said.
The church and adjacent lots were listed for $3.3 million more than a year ago. Since then, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank has been searching for another suitable location in the city, but because the new owners of Shiloh Sixth Avenue are making some rezoning applications, there’s no pressure to move out just yet, Ariela Friedmann, communications director for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, told the Record.
“We’re not under any dire, emergency, must-go (deadline),” she said. “We’re committed to remaining there and serving our community.”
As for the future of the Hospitality Project, executive director Coun. Jaimie McEvoy, said they too are looking for a new site.
Like the food bank, the Hospitality Project will remain at Shiloh Sixth Avenue church until a new location is found.
“The new owners are supportive and willing for the current location to continue until a new space is found,” he added in an email.
