A historical white wooden church near the St. John River, dating back to 1775, is currently being taken apart due to long-lasting deterioration from flooding. Known as the Sheffield United Church, it has not held regular services for six years. Barbara Jamieson, a church attendee, expressed sadness over the loss but accepted the inevitable fate. She shared her personal experience of having to raise her own house due to flooding in the community located approximately 30 kilometers east of Fredericton on Route 105.
Having passed by the church daily on her way to school as a child, Jamieson expressed her wish to be buried in the church’s graveyard, even after the structure is removed. She reminisced about the many loved ones laid to rest there, including her parents and husband. Despite the sentiment attached to the church, Jamieson recognized the inevitability of change in the community.
The Sheffield United Church, which has faced flooding challenges since the 1930s, has a rich historical background. Originally built in Maugerville in 1775 and later relocated to Sheffield, parts of the original structure were salvaged during a reconstruction in the 1840s. However, continuous flooding, particularly in 2018, has severely impacted the building’s integrity.
With the decline in church attendance over the years and the lack of new residents due to the threat of flooding, restoring the church became financially unfeasible. Chris Jamieson, a trustee of the church committee, highlighted the structural issues compromising visitor safety, such as dry rot and non-compliance with building codes. The decision to dismantle the church was deemed necessary, despite community consultations and efforts to secure funds.
The responsibility of maintaining the graveyard now falls on Chris Jamieson, who plans to erect a commemorative monument in place of the church. The fate of the Sheffield United Church mirrors that of Christ Church in Maugerville, which was recently deconsecrated and put up for sale due to similar flooding-related challenges and financial constraints faced by the Anglican parish of Oromocto and Maugerville.
Reflecting on the broader trend affecting rural communities, Chris Jamieson underscored the dwindling population of young residents in these areas, leading to the struggle of preserving historical structures like the Sheffield church. Despite their historical significance, maintaining such buildings often proves financially burdensome, resulting in their deterioration and eventual dismantling, a poignant reflection of changing times.