The timing of a new fundraising campaign to restore Windsor's Assumption Church to its former glory is no coincidence.
Father Maurice Restivo of the Assumption Church parish hopes the public considers the rebirth of the church while they contemplate the resurrection of Christ this Easter weekend.
Paul Mullins on April 18, 2019. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
The church needs to raise $482,000 to put new copper shingling on the roof, remove asbestos and replace the heating system. Previous efforts have raised more than that in pledges, but Paul Mullins, who has spearheaded restoration efforts, admits that is all they are. Pledges. The parish needs the money in hand to proceed.
"When they heard about us putting up a copper shingle roof, they said why can't we have a fundraising campaign that centres on that?" Mullins told reporters Thursday morning. "We've put up a website. We're giving people an opportunity to donate $250 for a shingle."
It will take up to 3,500 shingles to cover the entire roof, and if the fundraiser sells out, that will raise $875,000.
The parish also has until July 31 to raise over $2.4 million to unlock a $5 million pledge from local philanthropist Al Quesnel.
Restivo has watched the fundraising efforts to rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with interest and hopes the local community will be more likely to step forward to help its own "Lady".
Father Maurice Restivo CSB of Assumption Church, April 18, 2019 (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Past fundraisers have failed to raise the money needed, but Restivo believes this time will be different.
"People thought, given the previous campaigns, that this was never going to really happen. The fact that we're starting and we're going to do it in phases, rather than say we have to have $15 million before we can do any work at all, I think is going to provide a huge boost," he said. "I think the more we do; the more people will get involved."
The work on the roof, heating system, and asbestos removal will start by the beginning of June. Restivo said if the plaster inside the building remains stable, it is conceivable the church will be able to host Mass again this fall. However, it would have to close again in the summer of 2020 for the next phase of the restoration, which includes plasterwork.