The first phase of a fundraising campaign to restore the historic Assumption Church has been launched.
The copper roof, asbestos remediation and a new heating system are part of the first phase of the project with a fundraising goal is $2.475-million.
Organizers hope to raise the money by the end of July.
Six local general contractors have been invited to submit bids for the project with the contract being awarded May 14th.
The church was built in 1842 and has been closed for about five years because of its condition.
Assumption Parish is the oldest parish in Canada, west of Montreal.
Paul Mullins authored a report on the church, its repairs and the cost to fix it.
He says the repairs will be done as a 'pay as you go' so it needs money in hand, not just pledges.
"So that there will be no debt incurred by the parish as an overhang from the project," he says. "It is also Easter and Easter is a time of rebirth and what we are embarking on here with the issuing of these tenders and the approval we are obtaining is really a rebirth of this beautiful church."
Given the fire at Notre Dame in Parish, Assumption Church Father Maurice Restivo says the community understands the importance of older churches.
"It is a real sign of rebirth," he says. "The recent fire at Notre Dame in Paris has shown that buildings like this have such an incredible symbolism for the whole community and the fact that Windsor is going to rebuild, Notre Dame means our lady and this is our lady of the Assumption."
Father Maurice Restivo has faith the work will get done saying it is sad to see the beauty of the church along with its deterioration.
The church requires 3,500 copper shingles (Photo by AM800's Teresinha Medeiros)
3,500 copper shingles are required to replace the roof and part of the work includes lightning protection.
A website has been launched at www.assumptionparish.ca/roof.
Local philanthropist Al Quesnel has also donated $5-million in matching funds.
The total cost for all of the work, which will be done in phases, is $20-million.