The clock is officially ticking on the Irondale church.
Eighteen years after the 19th century parish was deconsecrated, the volunteer group that initially saved the building from ruin has put out a warning to the community – new leadership needs to come forward by the end of September or risk seeing the space that was once the hamlet’s beating heart die forever.
Douglas Rodger, a member of Bark Lake Cultural Developments (BLCD), the residents’ group that owns the church site, said the situation really is that desperate. Meeting with The Highlander last week, Rodger confirmed the organization’s current president, Carol Simmons, is retiring from her position in September.
Because BLCD has charitable status through the Canada Revenue Agency, it must always maintain a three-person executive; someone filling the roles of secretary, treasurer and president. If an entity is unable to meet those requirements, they lose charitable status and are mandated to liquidate and donate all existing assets, Rodger said.
Simmons said she’s been president since 2008 and filling all three positions for much of 2026. She presented her resignation letter to the BLCD board last December, initially wanting to finish by May. She pushed her retirement back hoping to give the group more time to find replacements.
“If nobody steps up then I’ll formalize things on my end and the CRA will tell us we have to sell everything, liquidate – and that means the building, too. So we’d lose the church and then have to give the money away,” Simmons said, noting that was the commitment the group made when securing charitable status several years ago.
Background
The historic white building located at the corner of Irondale and Salerno Lake roads has fostered community connection since it was built in 1887. It was financed by a U.S. industrialist, Charles Pusey, who invested heavily in local iron mining. His wife, Ruth, was instrumental in forming the first congregation.
It officially became an Anglican Church in the early 1900s and remained so for almost a century, known as St. John’s. It was deconsecrated in 2008, with a final service held on Aug. 29, 2010.
Shortly after the church closed, the Toronto Diocese put the Irondale site on the market. Loathe to lose a building with so much history, a group of prominent families came together to buy the property. Simmons said the locals just finished paying off the $95,000 mortgage in April.
Simmons said it was her husband, Fred, born and raised in Irondale, who did a lot of the active boots-on-the-ground day-today work that needed doing. He died in February 2023.
“It’s been tough. I’ve just reached the end of my time [with the church]. A lot of times the stuff I do is something anybody can do. It just needs to be done,” Simmons said.
Asked about her favourite memories, Simmons chuckled when reminiscing about old wild game dinners held every July.
“Fred used to do all the hunting and cooking for those dinners – they were always a big deal. We’d get 200 people at least. He always managed the kitchen end, and I did the front of house. We always worked well together,” Simmons said, noting the longtime event didn’t survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Help needed
It’s been a quiet few years at the church since. Rodger said they’re back to hosting informal non-denominational gatherings on Sundays that are open to anyone – even those who don’t have an active relationship with God.
“Religion doesn’t have the same hold over people today that it used to, but folks still need community and a place to gather. I think that’s what this place offers,” Rodger said.
Working in show business, Rodger said he’s lined up one potential final performance at the church Aug. 22. Folk trio Mystikana will play a set beginning at 7 p.m. It’s the latest in a long line of concerts Rodger has been responsible for organizing since 2015.
“We’ve had some great times here – performances from Albert Saxby, who is known to County residents. We had Russell DeCarle here, who was a Juno award winner; Stephen Fearing; Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar,” he said, noting the church can fit up to 100 people.
After spending a month in Spain last year and marveling at the 15th century Catedral de Sevilla, a core piece of the city’s history and identity, Rodger said he wants to do everything he can to ensure the Irondale Church lives to see 140. It will celebrate the milestone in 2027.
Turning 75 this year – and with many of the BLCD team now in their senior years, Rodger said it will be up to the next generation to lead the charge.
“We haven’t given up on community yet – even though we’re scattered across a vast area, we still need to find ways to come together, and the church gives us an opportunity to do that.”
Looking out towards the highway, Rodger, a cottager in the area since 1994, said he’s learned a lot about the history of Irondale – most of it through conversations sparked at the church.
“There used to be a livery stables just down the way, a hotel over there and another hotel out that way,” Rodger said, pointing in all directions. “This was a booming town back at the time the church was built. I think the community would be losing the heart of what Irondale is if the church was forced to close.”
He said the facility isn’t a financial burden, costing $6,000 to $7,000 per year to run, barring any major repairs – which have been few and far between in recent years. The issue is manpower.
“We’re hoping to fix that – you don’t need to live in Irondale, as long as you have a car, can drive and have an interest in history and community then we have a place for you,” Rodger said.
Interested candidates can email: rodger. douglasa@icloud.com.
