Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall plans to auction off items from St. Paul’s Chapel

The members of the Dalkeith History Club aren't sure what to make of the Diocese of Alexandria-Conrwall's plan to host an auction to sell the contents of St. Paul's Chapel.

Club spokesperson Frances Fraser told The Review the club recently met with the diocese and was told the contents of the community's last remaining historical building are set to be auctioned off on Saturday, November 12.

"We met with the diocese to discuss where we are at in terms of acquiring the property and building," Fraser explained. "It was quite a surprise to learn the diocese was planning to auction off the contents. We had no idea."

Fraser said club members were told the diocese is in the process of getting a certificate of health for the property as a result of some previous issues with the septic system. Once necessary documentation is received, the matter will be turned over to the Township of North Glengarry, which will be responsible for determining whether or not the property can be severed.

"We applied for a severance to see if the chapel and rectory/manse could be severed so they are two separate properties," Fraser explained. "We are waiting to find out where the dividing should go and, more importantly, if it can be severed at all. It's our understanding that the diocese would like to put the rectory/manse up for sale. There is a lot of legal work going on right now and everyone is hoping that will be concluded by the end of November."

After months of negotiations with the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall to save St. Paul's Chapel from possible demolition, the diocese offered the building to the community for one dollar, providing it pays for the severance, which could amount to around $5,000. The offer was made in November of last year.

Fraser said "it was a total shock" to find out the diocese was planning to auction off the contents of the chapel, especially since the history club has been adamant about maintaining the history and integrity of the building as much as possible.

"We had no idea, it was a total surprise," she stated. "If we hadn't had this meeting, the auction would have taken place before we even found out the results of our severance application. Auctioning off the items kind of eliminates any formal transfer of ownership."

Fraser said the diocese informed club members that it wished to recuperate some cash by selling all movable goods inside the chapel. Fraser said the club made it clear to the diocese that it wanted to keep some of the artifacts, particularly those dedicated with a plaque or engraving.

"We were basically told that we would have to bid on anything we wanted to keep," Fraser remarked. "If anything is left over, my understanding is that we can keep it. We were given permission to visit the chapel and see what is up for sale before the auction is held."

The history club has been busy holding fundraising events to garner the $5,000 it needs to pay for the severance. The club is currently raising funds through its Art Auction which has seen a number of talented local artists donate works of art.

"We were told we could have our Art Auction on the day of the auction at St. Paul's, so long as it doesn't interfere with what's taking place on that day," Fraser said. "I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. That's really all we can do right now."