A little surreal to read this. I grew up in French River and attended this little church a few times after the neighbouring United Church closed. My parents still live there and my dad is a bit of a local ‘historian’ as he’s been a resident since 1947. We now have a cottage two doors down from them on Dry Pine Bay. Perhaps we will have to come by next summer to check out all your hard work :)
Glad your dream was finally realized. (after herculean effort) The result is absolutely stunning in your photo.
For others interested in renovating a church to a residence, I'm sure there are more choices out there these days due to the closing and combining of parishes.
So evocative! I love your renovation story and the beautiful way you wrote it. And I'm grateful for writers, like you, that will never, ever be replicated by AI. Merry Christmas and thank you!
Excellent! Someone who dreams,imagines and builds! My kind of couple! We bought,Reno,sold 3 homes while working full time jobs and had a lake lot(2). Another story another day. Raising kids,visiting parents and family in ON,we built our lives and home in AB. My son,Rig Welder contractor said the same thing. He was in oil,grease and dirt welding questioning his life choices. I have more than once,always alone,on Sunday,in the rain,snow,cold and dark nearing the send where I need to drive home to get up and go/fly drive to work. All worth it,as I sit in our brand new home,across from the Christmas tree with friends coming for dinner. At Lake Side. Forests. Foxes. Deer. Damn squirrels(hahaha )ect at our bird feeders. Cindy&Clay @ Lac Ste Anne,AB
Great tale of a wonderful (if inadvertent, modified by reality and a bunch of other good things) pursuit of a dream. I am another who had a very similar life path over a few decades, also culminating in a wonderful second marriage, and a move from Toronto to Midland.
Yep, Gratitude is such an important attitude - "it" can and does get better, if you choose pursuit of the positive, and acceptance. Your deck, my sailing escape to any of innumerable "secret" anchorages in Georgian Bay. Best wishes to all, for your dreams in this next year and always.
These are the kinds of stories people need to hear more of in Canada. I love reading about how people accomplish their dreams and goals.
Great fun to read ... who woulda guessed?!! Shared already to a guy who lives in an immaculately restored church here in the Crowsnest Pass!
My favourite article of 2024.
Well, that was just lovely. Thank you Michael. You give "home" a whole new meaning. Congratulations to you and Aly, and Merry Christmas.
Thanks for sharing. Vision, committment, work, and a bit of luck. What we all need.
Thank you for this uplifting essay. It adds context to our own six year renovation of a stone farm house, and ongoing battles with squirrels.
A little surreal to read this. I grew up in French River and attended this little church a few times after the neighbouring United Church closed. My parents still live there and my dad is a bit of a local ‘historian’ as he’s been a resident since 1947. We now have a cottage two doors down from them on Dry Pine Bay. Perhaps we will have to come by next summer to check out all your hard work :)
We'd love to meet you. Message me through the app and we will get in touch.
Glad your dream was finally realized. (after herculean effort) The result is absolutely stunning in your photo.
For others interested in renovating a church to a residence, I'm sure there are more choices out there these days due to the closing and combining of parishes.
So evocative! I love your renovation story and the beautiful way you wrote it. And I'm grateful for writers, like you, that will never, ever be replicated by AI. Merry Christmas and thank you!
I am excited for you that you got to live your dream!
Sounds like the basis for a book a la Peter Mayle in Provence. We need these Canadian stories as they give us our culture and values.
Excellent! Someone who dreams,imagines and builds! My kind of couple! We bought,Reno,sold 3 homes while working full time jobs and had a lake lot(2). Another story another day. Raising kids,visiting parents and family in ON,we built our lives and home in AB. My son,Rig Welder contractor said the same thing. He was in oil,grease and dirt welding questioning his life choices. I have more than once,always alone,on Sunday,in the rain,snow,cold and dark nearing the send where I need to drive home to get up and go/fly drive to work. All worth it,as I sit in our brand new home,across from the Christmas tree with friends coming for dinner. At Lake Side. Forests. Foxes. Deer. Damn squirrels(hahaha )ect at our bird feeders. Cindy&Clay @ Lac Ste Anne,AB
Is Manitoulin Island still considered the world’s largest freshwater island?
Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Your future repairs will be that much more.
Great tale of a wonderful (if inadvertent, modified by reality and a bunch of other good things) pursuit of a dream. I am another who had a very similar life path over a few decades, also culminating in a wonderful second marriage, and a move from Toronto to Midland.
Yep, Gratitude is such an important attitude - "it" can and does get better, if you choose pursuit of the positive, and acceptance. Your deck, my sailing escape to any of innumerable "secret" anchorages in Georgian Bay. Best wishes to all, for your dreams in this next year and always.
Thank you sir, this was wonderful.