Grand Bruit decommissions church

The last ferry to Grand Bruit is set to run on Wednesday, but for many residents, June 11 marked the true closing of the community.

On that day, about 60 former residents gathered for the decommissioning of the United Church.

The Rev. Paul Vardy, chairperson of the Western District of Newfoundland and Labrador Conference of the United Church of Canada, came from Glovertown to lead the decommissioning.

Also on hand was Rev. Wilson Gonese who served as local minister, Rev. E.V. Faith March MacCuish and Rev. Kathy J. Brett of Humber United Church in Corner Brook.

Rev. Vardy said the service was to give thanks for the many blessings people received while living in Grand Bruit. Nevertheless, it was a solemn and sad service for those who attended. He believed it was a symbolic end of Grand Bruit as a community.

"The church really is the people, but the building holds a lot of memories for those people," he said.

The evening began with a flower service at the cemetery. Rev. Vardy said the people wanted to ensure that at least one flower was placed on every grave.

"We had a prayer and a moment of silence so the people could say aloud the names of their deceased loved ones," he said. "I think with any resettlement, people take with them a sense of letting down the past generation, and you could feel that at the ceremony."

From the cemetery, residents walked to the church for the decommissioning service. The residents waited for the crew of the ferry, who asked to be present for the service because they had served the community for so many years.

Rev. Vardy noted that the church had been a centre for the community, both in spirit and geographically.

"It was the focal point of Grand Bruit because it was right on top of the falls," he said.

During the service, the congregation celebrated the Litany of Thanksgiving. People gathered around key items in the church including the Bible, the pulpit, the cross and the baptismal fountain to say a final prayer of thanks for all that had taken place around them.

After many prayers, hymns and tears, the declaration of closure was started by Rev. Gonese.

"The time has come for us to go now from this house, to journey in faith in new, unfamiliar ways.

"We do so with sadness but also in hope. We do what so many faithful people have done before, walking with trust and confidence in you, knowing you do not abandon us, but lead us always with your light."

Rev. Vardy then concluded the service.

"This building, having been dedicated and named Grand Bruit United Church, together with the land at which it stands and all objects remaining in it, we now commend to other purposes. We declare that this is no longer a place of worship for a congregation within the United Church of Canada."

Rev. Vardy said the end of the service was especially difficult for some.

"At that point it's no longer a place of worship," he said. "It's like when the doctor turns to you and says your lived one has just died. You know it's coming, but that doesn't make it any easier."

The closure was followed by a gathering at the church with tea, coffee and sweets although Rev. Vardy said many left at the end of the service.

"The big thing we're faced with now it what happens with the structure itself," said Rev. Vardy.

It is his understanding that residents do not want the church to be maintained or moved.

"I believe their hope is that the church will die a natural death - as will the rest of the community."

Residents in Grand Bruit voted last year to request government help in closing out their community and resettling to other parts of the province. The provincial government offered buyout packages on their properties. The scenic but isolated outport community was only accessible by boat or helicopter.

Left to spend the night in the community after the service, Rev. Vardy remarked on what a sacred place Grand Bruit was, with its colourful houses and peaceful atmosphere.

"At the end of the day, the service ended with someone ringing the bell ever so softly and lightly," said Rev. Vardy. "There were concerns about the structure of the tower but they did ring the bell and it was very meaningful to hear it echo though the community.

"I guess 'Grand Bruit' means 'a great noise.' It was amazing how the soft bell could be heard over the great noise of the falls."

reporter@gulfnews.ca