Image Credit: CFJC Today
Murray United CHurch

Fundraising efforts to rebuild Murray United Church slow to get off the ground

May 31, 2019 | 5:05 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — The funds to rebuild the historic Murray United Church in Merritt have been slow to trickle in.

The small church burned to the ground in January. A man was later charged with arson in connection to the fire.

The board at Trinity United Church quickly took it upon themselves to raise the funds to rebuild the church, but the group has been challenged to come up with the $200,000 they need.

“I think we’re most likely looking around $3,000-4,000, somewhere in there, which is about 190,000 short,” said Board Director Jack Polmans.

The board says there will be a number of fundraising events coming up to support the cause.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

People wishing to donate can go to any CIBC branch and donate to ‘The Murray Church Project,’ or send a cheque directly to Trinity United Church.

A Go-Fund-Me page has raised more than $2,200.

“The plan, of course, is to rebuild it so you wouldn’t even know the difference,” Polmans said, “other than the bell, which we would have to use somewhere else. But, we’re hoping that if we do get the funds in two or three years you won’t know it was ever burned down.”