Coldwater United Church is celebrating 100 years of community this weekend.
The church opened for the first time on Nov. 11, 1923, after its previous structure was destroyed by a fire in March of the same year.
Phyllis Devine, a member of the church community, says there are no records that spell out the definite cause of the blaze.
"We are all guessing at that time it would have been all wood furnaces in the church," she said. "The previous church building was only 13 years old."
Devine says the current church is an almost exact replica of the original.
"The only difference I ever saw in pictures was on the bell tower there were kind of four peaks," she said. "Now the new bell tower roof is just flat."
Today, the church makes numerous charity donations to community organizations such as Green Haven Shelter for Women, Compassion Canada, and The Lighthouse in Orillia, among countless others.
"The food bank in our community is in our church," Devine explained. "We work with a lot of charities which is the most important part of us."
While the church is a place for Christians to gather on Sundays, Devine says the church's legacy is the charity work that has been done through it.
"It's the heart of our community," she said.
On Oct. 29 at 10 a.m., the church will have a special service to celebrate its centennial. Local dignitaries and family members of former ministers are expected to be in attendance.
"We will have speakers and artifacts for people to enjoy," Devine explained.
Following the event will be a free lunch for the community to enjoy at the church, located at 14 Harriet St.
Devine, who has been a member of the church since she was born in 1951, says she is looking forward to seeing everyone from the church past and present come together for the special celebration.
"That will be the exciting part for me," she said. "It's going to be really great."
For more information about the church and its upcoming events, click here.
