The Consecon Branch of the County of Prince Edward Public Library is housed in a beautiful, decommissioned church. The former Holy Trinity Anglican Church served the community from 1847 through to the late 1970s. After it was closed, a petition was organized requesting the building be used as public library and almost 250 signers indicated their desire for access to reading material, gathering space, and a public building in the community. After some renovations, it became a public library and continues to serve as a connection point and community hub in the village.
As with all heritage buildings, maintenance and care is essential to keeping the building safe and welcoming for all to enjoy. About eight years ago, the “crown of thorns” atop the library was removed for restoration, and now attention is being paid to the windows.
The windows on one side of the branch are rotting and crumbling from the wear of the sun, weather and age, and will be replaced with new windows that are as close as possible in appearance to the original windows. The new windows will reduce drafts and keep the building more energy efficient. If you have visited the branch, you’ll know that there is a remarkable stained-glass window in the back of the library – please be assured that this window won’t be impacted as part of this project.
The library will be closed during the time of installation for safety. Anticipated dates are June 22 to July 7, but please check the library website or call Gisa at the Ameliasburgh Branch at (613) 968-9327 for updates. During the time that the Consecon branch is closed, the Ameliasburgh branch will be open extended hours and patrons of the Consecon branch will be able to collect their requested titles from Ameliasburgh. Other arrangements (for example, picking up at a different branch or sending materials by mail) may be possible – give us a call to arrange. Readers are also welcome to stock up from Consecon Branch before the closure – borrow a bag full of books and be sure not to be short on reading material or DVDs. We appreciate all the patrons who have happily accepted the news of the short-term closure knowing it will have a long term benefit for the library.
Our thanks to the Parrott Foundation and a committed local benefactor for making this project possible. The Consecon Branch, being housed in the old church building, is unique among the library’s six branches, and the HASPE file (Heritage Architectural Survey Prince Edward) on the building identifies the other unique features. As it reads, “the handsome stone church with it’s Norman tower is surmounted by a wooden crown of thorns (unusual for this part of the world) is not only a landmark at Weller’s Bay but the oldest Anglican church building in part use in the County…The interior has an atmosphere of spaciousness and light with its high ceilings and balcony.” The library is committed to continuing to maintain the heritage buildings that provide homes for the six branches, and this window restoration is the next step in doing so.