The Church By The Sea Inc. Heritage Group held a Moose Stew Dinner Fundraiser Saturday November 15 2014, not only to raise funds for saving the St. Philip’s Parish’s Municipal designated Heritage Building, but also as a celebration of the 120th. anniversary of the historic church (built in 1893 on the partial foundation of the original 1848 church; and consecrated November 20th 1894).

The celebration dinner was at the PCSP Town Recreation Centre, with almost 90 people attending: over 75% of whom were residents and tax payers of PCSP.

The other diners consisted mainly of residents from neighbouring places such as Paradise, Bauline, Conception Bay South and St. John’s. Former St. John’s mayor Shannie Duff and her husband attended the dinner, and Shannie gave a heritage talk of the benefits of such an iconic building to continue to be part of the town of PCSP. MP Jack Harris and his wife also joined the dinner, with Jack at the microphone stating his positive comments on the benefits of St. Philip’s 1894 Church continuing to be an asset to the town and community.

After dinner, the evening continued with a “kitchen party”, with volunteer musicians entertaining - many of those attending then danced into the night, to guitars, accordions, singing and even an ugly stick. The band “Nuttin’ Fancy” and friends were: Dean Sharpe, Wes Tucker, Bob Guy and Cyril Brant, with ugly stick player Carl Picco joining in.

A fun event and interesting time had by all!

Please see the evening program, as was put at each place setting. We suggest you, and others, who want to save and preserve the St. Philip’s 1894 Heritage Church, contact Bishop Peddle and the PCSP Town Council now, to express your concerns and thoughts: see the program back cover for contact information. Thank you.