The Cornerstone Campaign Leadership Team

Back row, from left: Phil Spencer, Phase Captain; Jim Webster, Phase Captain; Kevin Blagrave, Campaign Treasurer; Lorne Swan, Assistant Treasurer. Middle row, from left: David Kent, Campaign Co-Chair; Heather Gibson, Assistant Treasurer; Julia Armstrong, Communications Coordinator. Front row, from left: Michael Rowland, Campaign Co-Chair; Fr. Nathan Humphrey, Rector; Crystal Sayler, Campaign Co-Chair. 

Below: Honorary Co-chairs Alix Arnett and John Fraser (with Fr. Humphrey).

The members of the Cornerstone Campaign Committee (whom Fr. Humphrey has introduced here, here, and here) are a dedicated group of parishioners passionate about removing barriers, strengthening our spaces, and creating a welcoming and inclusive church that reflects the radical hospitality of Christ. We’re excited to combine our vision, energy, and faith with yours in bringing this important work to fruition.

Together we are setting the cornerstone to build upon, ensuring that our space fosters a sense of community and belonging for all, and ensuring the continuance of our mission “to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and witness to Christ through pastoral care, music, education, discipleship, and service” for generations to come.

A Recap of Decisions

In recent years, our parish life has continued to flourish: the children’s choir and summer choir camp have increased in size, community outreach programs have expanded, and our worship continues to be vibrant, with 22 services each week. Yet, physical barriers prevent full participation for some people.

To remedy this situation, we gained approval at a special Vestry on September 8, 2024, to build a new accessibility atrium and a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system—as much as possible within a maximum budget of $9 million and to carry out a multi-year fundraising campaign.

In the fall of 2024, we engaged M&M International to conduct a fundraising feasibility study, inviting the parish into prayerful conversation about our future. Through more than 50 interviews, open forums, and committee discussions, two clear priorities came to light: 

  • A more focused Cornerstone Project—providing an elevator, ramps, and a universal washroom. 

  • The urgent need to stabilize our heating system, with cooling being a lower priority.

These results were reported to Vestry in February 2025, with a recommendation to build a more focussed atrium as the top priority and to approach HVAC as a separate project. 

The Accessibility Working Group has proceeded diligently since then to move these projects from vision to planning. A new design for a single-level atrium was developed to reduce cost and still provide accessibility. During this process, our architects (KPMB) and their consultants advised that a new heating system for the church would need to be closely linked to the construction of the atrium. The infrastructure for the new system will be installed under the atrium and tied into its HVAC system. Thus, the two aspects of the project cannot practically be separated. An inexpensive spot-cooling solution focussed on the chancel, with larger fans in the nave to move air more effectively, was identified and integrated into the project.

Out of an intensive review process with our architects, the mechanical and electrical engineers, and our diocesan partners have emerged concept designs, revised Class D cost estimates, and building code reviews for the accessibility atrium and the heating stabilization and spot-cooling project.

The Cornerstone Project leadership team met with the bishop and diocesan administrators in September to discuss next steps towards final approvals and financing. The project will return to Vestry in 2026 for a final vote of affirmation after detailed designs are developed.

Each phase of this project will be built deliberately and faithfully, laying a cornerstone in community and commitment. We look forward to sharing regular project updates with you in The Thurible as we continue to create a welcoming and inclusive space that reflects the radical hospitality of Christ.

— The Cornerstone Committee