Archbishop Fred Hiltz affirms the restoration and renewal of Old St. Thomas

Archbishop Fred was present for the special covenant ceremony that took place on August 4, 2024, to transfer the primary control and management of the building from the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee to the Moose Factory community.  He pointed out that Old St. Thomas Church is “one of the oldest churches on Turtle Island and by far the oldest church in the Diocese of Moosonee…For hundreds of years, it was a place where people gathered for services and for Holy Communion.” Although the church was deconsecrated in 2007, “Our covenant states that the building still retains a sacred character in that it is located on sacred burial grounds where local community members have laid to rest their loved ones. The Šawelihcikewin covenant continues to pay respect to the sacred nature of the building and cemetery by honouring the sanctity of the baptismal font and the altar in the restored and renewed Old St. Thomas”

To donate to the Šawelihcikewin fundraising campaign to help reach our goal of $3,200,000 for the restoration and renewal of Old St. Thomas, please click this link. https://www.mrhha.ca/how-to-give.