STELLARTON – A construction project at Christ Church has revealed an unknown history of the building.
Pictou’s Construction Engineering Flight started building a new staircase leading to the church’s basement last week. Days into the project, Private Brandon Vaughan uncovered several signatures on the under side of the stairs leading to the balcony.
Vaughan said he was 100 per cent sure the signatures were left by men who worked on the church over the years.
Vaughan said through construction projects in the past, he has seen markings left, but nothing like what was found in the church.
Once the word spread of the names, people starting coming by.
Alice Fraser, who volunteers for the Church, discovered her grandfather’s signature: ‘Thomas G Scott’ was on the stairs.
“He came over from England in 1927,” she said, adding she never met her grandfather. “He spent some time here as the janitor looking after the church.
“I was delighted. I couldn’t believe it.”
There are several dates, 1850, 1870 and 1890 painted on the stairs and another signature, ‘Willis McNeil,’ with the date July 11, 1910, and ‘Eureka’ written beside it.
The church organist Julie Wynands said some of the dates could be related to different custodians who worked in the church. She doesn’t know who McNeil was and is trying to find a relative.
“The things you find you begin to uncover,” said Wynands.
She said the congregation was told on Sunday about the signatures and Wynands will be posting pictures on the church website to spark some interest.
“I’m excited to do more research to add to the church,” she said.
To follow with tradition, the CEF has mounted a plaque under the stairs.
