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yearh achievement. For the elderly. the infirm and the disabled. a push-button eleva- tor has been installed that. as early as next month. will be activated. The modem-day lllt will replace the 22-step "stairway to heaven” that. for some. had become an understandable reason for non~ attendance at Sunday morning worship and other functions within "the little white church on the hill". Eighteen months ago. the board of managers. headed by retired pm~ fessional engineer Bob Curgenven along with members Bruce Niven. Don Zwicker and Don Miller decid- ed something had to be done to improve access to a lower-level hall and an upper level sanctuary. “Like most churches. ours is an aging population. Some couldn‘t cope with the steps outside. We had to do something or risk losing several parishioners." Mr. Curgen- ven said. In addition. he explained. the job of carrying hot bowls of soup. 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Stouffville architect Bmce Arrow- smith was hired. Financial require- ments had to be considered and permits requested. Fmrh four tendered bids. the firm of Ban'y Doner Custom Carpentry Ltd. of Oshawa was the lowest with “(b-opération was wonderful." Mr Curggnven said. Roaming Around with Jim Thomas a round-figure prlce of 3200.000. The end result. “a fabulous job”. the board chairperson agrees The elevator will accommodate up tofivepeopleatatimeorone wheelchair and several helpers “Mo washrooms have also been installed. one on each floor. Major excavation leading up to the church was required but the adjoining cemetery was not dis- turbed. An electrically heated walk- way will keep the elevator entrance clear of ice and snow. “The site was propefly surveyed in advance.” the chairperson said. The septic system has also beam replaced. A final stamp of approval is expected in the next couple of weeks. A ceremony marking the project's completion is already planned with fonner interim pastor. Rev. Bill Fritz. an invited guest along with town mayor Wayne Emmerson andWard 3 Councillor Clyde Smith. Mth respect to fundraising. a $70.0“) was set forthecongre- gadon wi $60,000 already received. member Marion \‘Wlls V “It's all very pleasing to the Mr. (Iurgenvcn said. “One would think it had been them forever." "Everyone got on board." she OPINION said. “it's been amazing.“ A pig roast held at the nearby community cen- tre last summer ul a huge dent in the debt. Seve additional fund- mixers have also helped. said Mrs She honestly admits that many. including herself. were initially con- cerned at what appeared to be an awesome expense. "It seemed like a pretty big effort for a congregation our size.“ she said. “but everyone was committed and very generous” She praised the work of contractor Barry Doner. describing the com- pleted project as “excellent”. Lemonville church. built back in the late [(1505, was closed for several years but rc-opcnod in 1961. to the ammmem of the pwsbytcry. many country chumhcs were closing their doors back then. but ours mopened." Mm Wells said. "and we're still going strong." What pleases her gmatly about the elevator project is the fact the pmpeny. from the road. appears little changed. “We're how the extended little white church on the hill." she Diane Ward. clerk of Simian. is ecstatic conceming the outpouring of suppon. not only by the congreâ€" gation but the entire community. 'your gateway to employment “It's been exciting. heanwaml- ing." she says. “I'm also flabbetgast- ed at how much fun it’s all been." She agrees with Mr. Curgenven that. for some members. coping with the steep outside stairs, had become a hardship “There wen: some who wanted to attend. (Sunday worship). but couldn't.“ she said. The only thing holding up final appmval is a need to have (he eleva- tor fireproofed. Ms Ward explained. a delay she finds “frustrating”. Baflier. it was hoped all Would be ready by Christmas. lean Nauta. a long-time mem- ber. said that. like Mrs. Wells. she too was somewhat concerned when told of the cost. But xhv 5mm changed her mind. “It's not for any one of us but ewntually for all of us." she said l‘o add impetus’to the project. she noted no objections had been voiced. “'l'hem‘s been no dissonsiun.’ she stated. Bob (Iurgcnven: "I'm look- ing forward to a quieter new yvar." mmlsammnm MWUWWMMMBD