We are rebuilding!
Interested in how we’re doing?
Read our latest progress report
April 15th, 2025
Winter is on the run and the pace of construction on the new roof has picked up considerably. The roof was finally closed in by mid-March. The roofers are currently applying two envelope membranes. The first sheets of the final stainless steel cladding have been positioned. The schedule is for the final metal roof to be completed is by mid-May.
Although the progress may not be obvious, there is a great deal going on behind the scenes. We are busy laying the groundwork for the finishing of the interior of the Church; consulting with erxperts on Hvac systems, wiring, acoustics and more.
The results are in!
More importantly, we have begun reaching out to our community to help us reimagine our place in the community. We have now interviewed over 200 people from Hudson and beyond who want to help us reimagine our church for the next decades and beyond. The results of those interviews are fascinating and they have filled us with hope for our future.
Next Steps
Building on the interview results, we have begun work in five areas: Community belonging and connection, Youth engagement, Spirituality, Church building and Halls and Grounds.
Get Involved
We are now forming teams of people interested in helping us turn all the wonderful ideas and suggestions we have been given into action.
Is that you? Do you have an interest, a skill, a willingness to work or just a desire to help in any of these areas?
Jan. 8, 2025
Yes, there is progress! And it is visible! New images have been added to our portfolio.
The Large Hall
The Large Hall was scheduled to re-open on Dec. 24th. This happened!
A flurry of construction which began on Nov. 25th brought us:
A well-insulated, temporary, exterior vestibule
The installation of a washroom trailer complete with plumbing
A new fire exit door on the NW wall of the hall
We held a lovely Pageant there on Christmas Eve and the United Church was continue reading….
November 15, 2024
We continue to make progress rebuilding St James’ Church and reopening the Large Parish Hall.
Church Exterior
Since the last update, the stonemasons have been hard at work on the tops of the church walls. All had to be checked, fortified, and repaired to support the weight of the new wooden roof structure. This work should be finished by the end of November.
The roof structure is scheduled to be installed the first week of December. Continue reading….
Oct. 15th, 2024
The Rebuild effort of our 182-year-old St. James’ Church is progressing well.
We are eagerly awaiting delivery of the wooden beams and trusses required to support our new roof. Continue reading....
Sept. 1st, 2024
Although it may not be obvious, a great deal of progress has been made since our last update. Continue reading.....
July 14th, 2024
The fire spread throughout the roof structure of the church, which had to be removed to put out the fire.
The fire consumed the choir loft, Memorial Hall, kitchen and vestry, passage to the Large Hall, washrooms and side entrance. Fortunately, the walls and the stained glass windows of the church itself were largely untouched; the Large Hall alsosurvived. Continue reading .....