Time is running out for the 115 year old St. Philip's Anglican Church: the oldest surviving church building in the town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's - yet the St. Philip's Anglican Parish Vestry seem determined to get rid of it. They have submitted a permit request to the Town Council to remove it. We do not want this to happen and call on Council to deny the permit at the public council meeting Tuesday January 19th.

The 1894 St. Philip's Church is a heritage gem in our town and we have very few remaining heritage structures left. Community ancestors built this church, and generations were christened, confirmed, married and buried there. It has become a landmark and is probably the most photographed church in Newfoundland and Labrador. There is even a painting of the church at Government House.

Many inside and outside the community are advocating its continuation as the icon and symbol of St. Philip's. In December, The Church by the Sea's petition (with over 600 signatures, 150 of whom are parishioners) to save the heritage structure, was presented at the Town Council meeting, and unanimously accepted by Council. The PCSP Heritage Advisory Committee, has formally recommended that the old church be designated a Municipal Heritage site. The national Heritage Canada Foundation magazine in its most recent publication made a plea for its preservation in an article, in which they concluded, "Total loss may be the fate of the 1894 St. Philip's Anglican Church in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, Newfoundland unless the parish vestry reconsiders".

A recent Facebook group, Help Save the St. Philip's Church, already has 440 members.

The Church by the Sea Committee, states: "No one is asking the parish or parishioners for money. Private, and public funds can be available to protect and preserve this landmark". For example, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador wrote in support of keeping the building, and included information about its $30,000 heritage grant.

If you want to keep the historical church, please voice your opinion. Contact the PCSP councillors www.pcsp.ca, the St. Philip's Anglican Parish www.stphilipsanglicanchurch.ca , or visit www.TheChurchByTheSea.ca or the Facebook group or write to The Church By The Sea, P.O. Box 1894, Stn. C, St. John's NL A1C 5R4

Submitted by Winston Fiander, member of "The Church By The Sea" committee.