Historic places

The diocese of Fredericton is participating in a pilot project of the National Historic Places Initiative, which will compile data and write “Statements of Significance” for 20 Anglican churches in the diocese that are deemed historically significant based on architectural merit and history.

“Some church buildings, including Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, are already recognized and designated as national historical sites. As such, their rich and irreplaceable heritage is well documented and the structures are maintained with a careful eye toward achieving a balance between conservation of fabric and contents and function as a place of worship,” the diocese reported on its Web site, www.anglican.nb.ca. “Other churches have been designated provincial historic sites, but many other churches have no such designation, so many Anglicans are unaware of the historic, cultural and artistic riches in their own churches.”

Gregg Finley, a history professor, has been given the task of writing the profiles for the chosen churches. A parishioner at Christ Church Cathedral and a member of the diocese’s historic properties committee, Mr. Finley said he and another committee member, Wayne Burley, had “attempted to include churches from both urban and rural areas in different regions of the province” in the list and are hoping that there will be additional funds to add others.