With restoration work set to get underway this month at the historic Assumption Church, a fundraising campaign has been launched to help pay for a new copper roof.
Project spokesperson Paul Mullins says roughly 3,500 panels are needed to cover the building and the public is being given a chance to purchase a piece of history.
For a $250 donation, a copper panel will be installed on the roof with the resident's name inscribed on the back.
The church requires 3,500 copper shingles (Photo by AM800's Teresinha Medeiros)
Mullins says their name will be up there for at least 100 years."
"You're not going to be able to see the name yourself, but I say to people that you know it's there, your grandkids will know that it's there and, I guess, God knows that it's there," he says. "To get to the identical patina that's one those pinnacles right now will probably take up to 15 years."
Mullins says it took a lot of work to get to this point, but financial help is still needed.
"Over a decade since the first fundraising campaign began. There was a question as to whether we would ever get to this point. So to actually have the contracts issued, to have local contractors all from Windsor-Essex, it's just great news for the whole community," he says.
The copper roof campaign has already raised more than $25,000.
If all goes to plan, phase one of the restoration, which includes a new roof, heating system and foundation work, will be completed by the fall.
The work carries a price tag of $1.35-million — the entire church restoration is expected to cost between $14-million and $20-million.
CLICK HERE for more on the fundraising campaign and how to donate.