Renovations seldom go exactly as planned, especially when you’re dealing with an 1875 heritage building. This was the church’s first major renovation since an addition was made to the core edifice in 1961. St. Andrew’s congregation itself dates back to 1826, founded by the Rev. George Sheed.

As the renovation progressed, church officials discovered most of the old heating systems needed to be replaced. An unexpected asbestos problem arose. An antiquated electrical system needed replacement. In the end, a $1.2-million project turned into $1.6 million.

Randy Raphael, chair of the renovation fundraising committee, said the St. Andrew’s congregation has raised all but $95,000 of the needed funds, with much of the money pledged over a period of time.

Rev. Read hopes the expansion will help foster a more welcoming environment, which in turn, could help the congregation, grow. Currently about 70 people attend Sunday services on a weekly basis.

“We wanted the community to feel welcome and to see how open we are,” said Read. “We’d love to have people join our church, so we wanted the building to reflect that.”

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson commended the church for identifying the need for accessibility improvement and then raising a large sum of cash to make it happen.

“You don’t see much of that anymore,” said Ferguson. “That’s a real tribute to you.”

The St. Andrew’s property, at the corner of Sulphur Springs Road and Queen Street, is adjacent to the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre property.

Ferguson said he hopes to see the construction of the arts centre – at the former Ancaster Memorial School – begin next spring. He suggested St. Andrew’s could share the art centre’s parking lot during church services and events.