From steeple to splinters: Former Anglican church in St. Philip's being razed

A former Anglican church in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's that was the source ofdeep divisionin the community is being demolished.

• Old Anglican church in St. Philip's a step closer to demolition

A demolition crew arrived at the propertyMondayand made short work of the steeple, which had become a symbol of a bitter feud that has raged since 2009when the diocese approved a plan to remove the 120-year-old former sanctuary.

Someone took a saw to the steeple in March 2010 and used a vehicle to pull it down to the ground. That's where it rested until it was hauled away and later reduced to splinters by a backhoe.

A group called Church by the Sea was proposing to take over the building and restore it.

Area resident Rosemary Drover, who was baptized and confirmed at the church,observed from a distance as the demolition got underway.

She described Monday as a "sad day" and that supporters of the church were "hoping against all hope" that another use could have been found for the building.