Bell tolls for Island's Catholic churches

The closing ofdozens of Roman Catholic churches will change the unique character of the P.E.I. landscape, says an Island historian.

'The churches of Prince Edward Island are part of our cultural landscape.' Harry Holman

The loss of churches on P.E.I. has already begun, with many being put up for sale, converted to other uses or taken down for materials.

Traditionally the steeples and white shingles or clapboardhave broughtmany Island vistas into focus. Historian Harry Holman, who works for the provincial Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, says the churches are among the last community-defining buildings.

"The churches of Prince Edward Island are part of our cultural landscape," said Holman, "but so are our lighthouses, so were the 410 one-room country schools that we used to have, so were the 70-odd railway stations that we used to have. our communities are changing."

Arecent announcement by the Roman Catholic Church that it intends to amalgamate many parishes is the current focus of attention, but Holman argues this is just another step in a long process that has seen Island communities come apart.

"We've made choices over the years which have certainly changed the way we look at our landscape," said Holman.

"It used to be that communities centred around the general store and the post office, the train station and the one-room country school and the local church or local churches in some communities."

That's changed, said Holman, as the easy transportation provided by cars has led people to drive to larger centres to shop, to work and to send their kids to school. That has put all public institutions in smaller communities under threat.

"Those are choices that we as Islanders have made," he said.

"I don't think we can lay the blame on any particular institution or organization. It's a process of change that we haven't been managing as well as we should."

A failed effort

While some community icons have gone without a fight, others havedisappeared despite the best efforts of community members.

'This is arguably the most prominent historic structure in the village, and it's gone.' Ben Smith

Victoria, on P.E.I.'s south shore, is well known for its efforts to retain its architectural heritage.

"As a village we are very aware of historical and cultural heritage," said Ben Smith, who lives in the village.

"We've preserved our schoolhouse, we preserved our lighthouse, the community hall."

But last year the village was stymied when it attempted to save the decommissioned United church. Two community groups put in offers to buy it, but when realtors got an offer above the asking price from an Ontario couple,it wassnapped up, without consulting the community.

Smith is already lamenting the condition of the building.

"It's been what, a year now, and it's starting to look down[at the]heels. We have pieces of shingles missing, badly in need of paint, it's just starting to look a little rough around the edges," he said.

"This is arguably the most prominent historic structure in the village, and it's gone."

Holman shares Smith's concerns.

"It is a tragedy, I think, that our landscape is becoming much more homogeneous," he said.

"It used to be that the way Prince Edward Island villages and landscape looked were noticeably different from other places. Now it's hard to tell sometimes if you're in Prince Edward Island or upstate New York or Kansas for that matter."

While success can't be guaranteed, Holman advises communities toconsider what they'd like to see happen with churches put up for sale, and then get involved. That will be difficult in some rural areas, though, where a sense of community has already vanished.