Good Evening,

As we continue to uncover more history about the building, and the area, we feel the addition of a history section may be of some interest. Be on the look out a new blog post focused on the background of this beautiful building, as well as the community it is based out of.

If anyone has any information they think is relevant to this study, please feel free to forward any information to balmoralkirk@gmail.com

Also, dont forget to 'Become a Fan' of the Balmoral Kirk on facebook. Our interactive fan page allows you to stay up to date with our day to day activities, and also the provides the opportunity to give personal feedback on the project.

Balmoral Kirk Expands Online Presence!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We apologize for the lack of updates lately on the blog, its been a busy start to the new year. However from here on out we vow to stay on top of the online updates so everyone can stay up to date with any new information regarding the official grand opening of the Balmoral Kirk this Spring.

In an approach to reach a wider audience, the Balmoral Kirk is making strides towards becoming more internet savvy, and in doing so have established both a facebook and twitter page.

Check out the Balmoral Kirk on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/BalmoralKirk

Check out the Balmoral Kirk Facebook Fan Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Falls/Balmoral-Kirk/429320740152

We encourage everyone to get involved and provide feedback in the process by following the Balmoral Kirk updates online.

Stay tuned for updates! It promises to be a busy 2010!

The Renovation Process

Upstairs: The process began by tearing down the old wooden paneling, exposing three windows that had been covered over. This allowed for greater natural light into the balcony area. Once the room was then drywalled, the construction team mimicked the original construction by applying the old batten construction method, instead of simply just of taping the joints, as the building will not be heated in the winter.

The upper half of the balcony was cut out to allow viewing access to the ground floor, which also opened it up for acoustical purposes. This upstairs area is now a focal point of the building as Northumberland sunset inspired colors (brilliant oranges and yellows) are lit up by newly installed hanging light fixtures.

Before

After

Balcony: The original design did not serve as a balcony. With a portion of the wall removed the beauty of the building is revealed. Both the up and downstairs areas have a new look and a new feel. The entire building is warmed and brightened with this transformation. 

Before

After

Doors: The recently installed doors were built in 1825, and came from a Presbyterian church in Oxford, Nova Scotia. A local antique dealer had acquired them when it was demolished. What really astounded the construction crew is how perfectly the doors fit into the original openings, considering the passage of time and the settling of the building.

Before

After

Foyer: The idea behind the foyer was to represent the beautiful landscape of Nova Scotia. The mural of the province showcases visitation spots for both tourists and local people alike.

Before

After

The Construction Team

The Balmoral Kirk construction team consists of four young, talented adults, each bringing their creative strengths and energies to the projects.

Lucas Austin and Jeff Cole: Responsible for carpentry work. Lucas’ main responsibility was preparing the balcony. Several challenges were presented while the detailed work was undertaken. Lucas diligently overcame all obstacles and produced a wonderful balcony area completed with fantastic trim work. A carpenter by trade, Jeff was a driving force behind the transformation of the balcony and stairwell. His precision work helped bring the room together with great drywall and trim work. Together the team rebuilt the pews and converted them from fixed to mobile pews without compromising the integrity of the structure.

Thomas Hunt: Served primarily as a painter, painting many things, including pews, the walls and ceilings both upstairs and downstairs, and the majority of the outside walls. More recently Thomas has expanded into helping develop the Balmoral Kirk blog, and is also focused on helping bring about promotional activities and rental ideas.

Jill Ritchie: Artist. Jill painted the mural in the foyer, depicting a map of the local area and featuring local businesses and landmarks.

Jinx MacGillivray: Responsible for all the photos depicted on the Nova Scotia mural in the front foyer, as well as the photos shown above showcasing the progress the construction crew had made on the building. Jinx is also responsible for the color choices in the building, as the paint colors used in the church were drawn from a photo she had taken over Brule Point. (Photo shown below).

"Truro woman saves historic church from demolition"

SHERRY MARTELL 
The Truro Daily News

THE FALLS – Beth Johnston’s life has become a serendipitous journey of faith following an impromptu visit to a rural parish in The Falls.

Earlier this year the Truro native accompanied a friend wanting to view the vacant St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which was for sale. But when she arrived she immediately felt a strong connection to the towering structure and ended up buying it herself.
“It found us, we didn’t find it,” said Johnston, standing amid paint cans and neatly stacked salvaged wood pieces. 
“The sun was streaming in the windows and the real estate agent mentioned it might be torn down and something happened.”

The experienced interior decorator said a rush of creative ideas suddenly engulfed her and she knew she had to do something to save the once vibrant gathering place and give it a renewed life.
“I was not looking for an old building, but the space itself completely captured my imagination,” she said. “I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It just kept tumbling and tumbling in my mind.” 

Johnston never attended a service there but feels the historic building remains an important anchor  in the community today.
“There isn’t a day that has gone by that someone hasn’t stopped in,” she said. “I didn’t want it to be made into something else. A gathering place. That theme kept percolating to the surface over and over again. That is embodied in this place.” 
She said the possibilities for its use are endless from being a venue to host weddings, reunions or wakes to jazz festivals, art exhibits or theatrical presentations. 

Since May, Johnston has be toiling alongside friends and family, and has already made great progress in bringing a renewed energy to the inside of the 137-year old building that will continue to serve as a place for people to come together in celebration, sharing or sorrow. 
To convert the church into a suitable location to host a great variety of events, Johnston has modified the exiting stationary pews so they can now be moved around the spacious room and plans to make cushions for them.   A second-storey balcony that had been closed off decades ago has been reopened to overlook the sanctuary, and the walls inside the upper level have been painted a deep orange mimicking the bright light the sun casts through the massive windows lining the sides of the building. 

A large bell that had been donated to the church in the 1930s will remain in service and will be rung on special occasions. 

A set of gently used thick plank front doors will soon be installed and the new owner is aiming to have the floors painted and a stage at the front of the building modified by the end of the year. 
Next on her wish list are larger items, a well and septic field.
“I need to put together some fundraisers but I know it can be done,” she said. 

A large map of central Nova Scotia has been painted in the foyer and it will be used to feature a variety of photographs taken throughout the region.
She wants the building to be a welcoming place for both residents and tourists and is open to any suggestions to make it a thriving centre of activity during the summer season. 

Balmoral Kirk - Business Plan

Balmoral Kirk

A Gathering Place

Business Plan

“Every church is three things: a legacy from the past, a fellowship for the present and a vision for the future.”

Executive Summary

Balmoral Kirk, formerly St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, was for 130 years the centre of community life in The Falls. It is located on Highway 311, ten minutes south of Tatamagouche and 35 min. from Truro, at the junction of highway 256 which links to the Wentworth Valley.

Balmoral Kirk will be renovated and upgraded in 2009, and open in 2010 as a multi-purpose rental facility. It will be available to rent on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The space can accommodate up to 200, with a smaller reception area upstairs with kitchenette facilities and internet connection. The space will be used for weddings, funerals, non-denominational ceremonies, receptions, and other functions. Local contractors, merchants and suppliers will be used.

The business plan is laid out in two phases. Phase One is the renovation and up grading to take place in the summer of 2009. Every attempt will be made to maintain the building’s integrity both inside and out. Phase Two begins the first year of operations, with a Grand Opening in May 2010.

Vision and Goals

Balmoral Kirk will become, once again, the focal point of The Falls with the addition of an art gallery, internet café and visitor information centre, the community will again have a place to gather, as they have done in the past. Visitors will have a stopping place on their way to and from Truro and the North Shore, and a referral service on local businesses will be readily available. We also feel this large historic building with its 20ft. windows, floods of natural light and terrific acoustics is a space which inspires the creative arts .Our vision is to restore, rent and preserve this piece of N.S Scottish heritage (see appendix 1-Historic Details) and to make it another link in the chain of the co-operative business climate that is working to draw visitors to the area (see appendix 2)

Company Description

Balmoral Kirk, a sole proprietorship registered in 2009. It is administered by a Team of Directors consisting of Beth Johnston, President, Dee Appleby, Vice-President, and a Secretary and Treasurer/Financial Advisor(as yet these two positions are available) .This team will draw upon additional volunteer directors as required. Ex. Business development, Community Liaison, Construction

Products and Services

The KIRK is a large, flexible RENTAL FACILITY, a beautiful Historic Building in a strategic location. Possibilities for rental include but are not limited to:

• Weddings and receptions

• Funerals

• Concerts

• Theatre/rehearsal space

• Day camps

• Artist studio/gallery

• Sound studio

• Movie set

• Farmers’ market /.Vendors village

• Dance /yoga/gym space

• Fundraisers

• Art gallery/craft market

• Festivals/picnics/family reunions

• Gathering place for clubs, meetings

• Conference and workshop venue

• Rallies

The main floor consists of an entry vestibule, where a map of Central Nova Scotia will be painted along the back wall, indicating local points of interest, businesses and things to do in the area in a photo gallery format. Tourist information brochures will be available and the staff person will provide information to tourists on local sites and services. To the left will be two public washrooms, to the right the stairs lead to an internet café where visitors are welcome to use the wireless internet service. Coffee, tea, oatcakes, ice cream, and other local, seasonal foods will be available. Seating capacity is 20 people. Historic information showcasing Scottish settlers from area, the church and bell (which will remain onsite) will be displayed in this area.

The main hall will have a stage and flexible seating for 200 using the original 40 pews. Windows will have curtains to allow for black-outs. An upright piano will be installed to accompany performers. Moveable walls will serve as the art gallery, which can be hidden from view when required.

Rental Rates

Rental rates will be structured as follows:

• Community

• Private

• Corporate

Competitive Analysis

The objective of the Balmoral Kirk is not to compete but partner with local business to attract visitors and provide a referral service to what is available in the area. There are few places one can rent facilities of this size in the area – the Legion, fire hall, and church hall, none with the historical and creative ambience of this historic building. See Appendix 2 for details.

Marketing/Sales Plan

Initially, interest generated by the renovation process will provide the basis of a publicity campaign for this project. Promotional activities such as vacation photo contest, painting parties and development of the historical displays will generate interest and funds for continued renovations.

The Kirk will be advertised through its own website, and linked to any websites, of associations or businesses to attract visitors to the North Shore. Brochures of the Kirk will be distributed to all VICs, and tourist areas in the province. It will be advertised as well by word of mouth and media in the Truro and North Shore area as a rental facility for events such as weddings and other functions. Businesses in the area will be encouraged to tell visitors about the Kirk and its historical significance. Because of its connection to Sutherlandshire in Scotland, visitors from that area will be invited to visit Nova Scotia and tour the area where their ancestors immigrated following the Highland Clearances. Tours will be offered, with historical interpretation of how the settlers came to The Falls, who they were, and how they lived.

Balmoral Kirk Restoration Project Underway!

Stayt tuned for updates regarding the restoration project as well as a summary of how this project came to be! Pictures and more coming soon so make sure to check back!