Staff
Several community members, federal and municipal representatives, and Cook Street Pentecostal Tabernacle clergy and parishioners gathered on Sunday, November 13 to celebrate and to mark the contributions of the federal government, along with church and community volunteers who have helped to create a fully accessible multi-purpose meeting and worship place at the church.
With a federal grant of approximately $19,000 provided by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) and the help of many volunteers, Cook Street Pentecostal is now one of a few churches in the region that is fully accessible in its worship and meeting rooms.
Accessibility at the church has been achieved without costly elevators, and has transformed its worship room into a multipurpose room. The addition of new furnishings and an electronic automated door and some creative thinking in working with existing outdoor and indoor ramping helped to retrofit an older building into a remarkably welcoming space for all people’s needs.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Larry Miller noted that, “With the federal grant program this helps many organizations with added funds to make spaces in older buildings more welcoming to those who have special needs.”
The Pentecostal Assembly of Canada’s Mark Collins remarked, “on how God works to welcome everyone and this adapted space helps to achieve that extra special care to also welcome those with special challenges.”
Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus added that, “This is a great example of government and community working together.”
“We were privileged in the summer of 2015 to receive a federal grant to make our worship facility more accessible for those with disabilities. The funds enabled us to replace our pews with chairs, allowing us to use our worship room for multi-use. The grant was used to purchase chairs, tables, and to install a powered door,” said the church. “On Sunday, November 13, 2016, we hosted a celebration ribbon-cutting service marking these changes. This was to recognize, in part, the funding by the Government of Canada, Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF), and efforts by our local MP Larry Miller and staff, and to mark your contributions along with many community volunteers and funders. We highlighted their work and showcased these enhancements and this improved facility as an example of how government and community support has helped our physical space to become all-inclusive. We offer a worship and meeting space which better accommodates peoples with disabilities.”
With the project complete, the church says that they are able to accommodate all who wish to visit the church.
“Our desire is that all our friends and neighbours in Meaford and the surrounding area feel welcomed to join us for worship anytime. We want all to know they are welcome at our church,” said the church.
