OLD ST THOMAS CHURCH
Moose Factory, ON
Introducing an epic journey of heritage restoration!
The Trinity Centres Foundation is honoured to join in sharing the news that Moose Factory, Ontario, in the Moose Cree Homeland, has been selected as finalists for their efforts to restore the historic Old St. Thomas Church as part of the prestigious National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save Competition!
This nationwide competition aims to safeguard and revive Canada’s beloved historic sites. Nestled at the southern end of James Bay, Moose Factory boasts Ontario's oldest permanent English-speaking settlement, embodying centuries of Indigenous-European cultural exchange. Erected by HBC craftsmen with Cree collaboration from 1856 to 1864, St. Thomas Church stands as a beacon of this intricate intercultural narrative, where mutual reciprocity and intermarriage predate colonial impositions.
Deconsecrated in 2006, the church now undergoes a remarkable revival, tied to the commemoration of "More than 350 Years in the Making: Moose Factory in Omushkego Aski, From Time Immemorial to 1673 to 2023." The restored edifice will transform into a dynamic multi-use community center, nurturing families, culture, arts, and language, while honoring the memories of those laid to rest in the adjacent cemetery.
Voting commences on April 18th and concludes on May 6th.
