A Note from the Property Resources Team

Welcome to the second issue of The Property Post newsletter. As summer approaches and many of us prepare for a well-deserved break, we want to take a moment to thank you for the work you do to care for parish properties.


Our team is here to support you.  Whether you’re managing regular maintenance, thinking ahead, or have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.


Focus Areas: Licensing & leasing; department administration; insurance enquiries; Canon 6 enquiries (checklists, license, lease)


Focus Areas: Diocesan-controlled portfolio (i.e. closed churches); deferred maintenance, BCA and capital planning consultation with parishes.


Focus Areas: Fund/grant applications; property and project consultations; governance and approvals process; property strategy and execution.


Wishing you a safe and relaxing summer.

News

Caring for the Quiet Spaces


Even though St. George, Newcastle has been on sabbath rest since 2021, it’s clear the community hasn’t stopped caring. Recently, thanks to Sabrina Revington and her team at Chandos Construction, the church grounds got some much-needed attention.


Sabrina gathered a group of volunteers who came prepared with gardening tools, brown bags, and plenty of energy. After a few hours of digging, trimming, and hauling, the gardens and outdoor spaces looked tidy and refreshed.


Just because the doors are closed for now doesn’t mean the place can’t shine. The church may be quiet inside, but outside, it still reflects the love and care of its neighbours.


A quote from St. George's website:

Our doors may be closed but our hearts are still open … like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1 Peter 2:5]

Chapel Check-in: Help Us Keep Our Records Accurate


Did you know the Diocese of Toronto has five official Chapels of Ease?


These chapels are located in Lakefield, Gore’s Landing, West Brock, New Tecumseth and Wilberforce. Each one has a sponsoring parish that agreed to take on responsibility for the chapel building and, in some cases, an attached cemetery.


A Chapel of Ease is designated when a congregation is no longer sustainable, but there is still a need to provide ongoing pastoral care in that community. It is a practical and caring way to continue ministry when maintaining a stand-alone parish or a multi-point model is not possible.


We’ve learned over time that chapels can sometimes fly under the radar. You’d be surprised how often we find out about a property that no one realized was still part of the diocesan portfolio. If your parish has a chapel, even a small one on your cemetery grounds, please send a quick note to the Property Resources Consultant. We want to make sure our records are accurate and that we are practicing good stewardship.


On a personal note, I’ve never visited any of our chapels. This summer, that’s going to change. What began as a personal goal to see all five has turned into a team effort. Staff from Property Resources and Archives are coming along for the adventure.


Lakefield, Gore’s Landing, West Brock, New Tecumseth and Wilberforce, we’re on our way!


PS, if you are interested in learning more, read our Guidelines for the Designation of Chapel of Ease.

In Case You Missed It: A Recap of Our 2025 Workshops


The Property Resources team has hosted two workshops so far in 2025, with two more coming this fall. Each session is designed to support parishes in caring for their buildings and making the most of their property. If you couldn’t attend, here’s a brief look at what was covered so far:


Workshop 1: Optimizing Parish Property

This session focused on why optimizing property matters and how it connects with stewardship, mission, and long-term sustainability. We explored how parishes can better understand and use their space by:

  • Starting with the “why” – understanding property as a resource for ministry, justice, and mission.
  • Assessing space use – a five-step process from inventory to implementation.
  • Managing licenses and leases – the difference between a lease and a license, screening tenants, Canon 6 approvals, and next steps.
  • Exploring optimization strategies – including licensing excess space, anchor tenants, land-leasing, and redevelopment.


Workshop 2: Building Stewardship Policy and Building Condition Assessments

This workshop introduced the Building Stewardship Policy approved by Synod Council in June 2025 and explained how Building Condition Assessments (BCAs) support long-term planning. Highlights included:

  • What a BCA is and why it’s important
  • How to use the BCA in capital planning
  • Understanding the standardized report format and Schedule A of the Building Stewardship Policy
  • Group purchasing benefits through the shared service model
  • What to do after receiving a BCA
  • How to prepare a 15-year capital planning snapshot


Coming This Fall

Stay tuned for details on our upcoming workshops:

  • Preventative Maintenance Planning – September 2025
  • Insurance Renewal Best Practices – December 2025


Whether you're managing property day-to-day or planning for the future, these sessions are designed to help.


We hope to see you at the next one!

Past Issues of The Property Post

 
 

Insurance Information
 
 

Church Property Resources
 
 

Policies & Guidelines
 
 

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