DEMOLITION DATE FOR O’REILLEY’S BRIDGE
Historic Pelham-Wainfleet Span Set To Go Down Tuesday
[Niagara This Week, 25 March 2010]
The demolition of the historic O’Reilly’s Bridge spanning the Welland River on the Pelham-Wainfleet border is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday starting at about noon.
Mike DiPaola, associate director of transportation engineering with the Region, said that schedule could change.
So ‘live updates’ on the bridge demolitions will be posted on the Region’s website.
“Because of the age of the bridge and its historical significance, we anticipate that this event is something residents would be interested in witnessing,” said Dipaola.
To ensure safety, spectators are asked to park and watch from the E.C. Brown Conservation Area parking lot, located on the north side of the river, west of the bridge site, DiPaola said.
The plan is to lift the 106-year old iron frame bridge off the abutments, in one piece, with a crane, place the structure on the south side, and then dismantle it. Some of the iron pieces from the bridge will be used to erect an historical marker that will include a photo and plaque.
The bridge is being replaced with a two-lane concrete bridge that is scheduled to be in place by the end of November.
Last March, regional staff told regional politicians that the bridge was too far gone to be saved, and that it had to be closed until a replacement was built.
The single-lane bridge, which dates back to about 1905, was inspected by a structural engineering consultant and the consultant found the bridge was amess: deck beams were deformed, tension lines were loose, top sway cross bracings were loose and sagging, and there was severe corrosion. The Region immediately closed the bridge and detoured traffic.
Ken Brothers, commissioner of public works for the Region which owns the bridge, flashed photos of the deterioration for politicians to see just how bad the structure’s condition was.
Regional staff investigated whether it was possible to re-open the bridge, but have found out it cannot be stabilized, Brothers said.
The rapid deterioration was probably hastened by the fact, large commercial trucks appeared to have been using the bridge, despite a posted restriction banning them, Brothers said.
[Treasured Recipes Emmanuel United Church Wellandport, Ont]
(Original date of Source unknown. This transcription submitted by “S”)
The actual beginning of the church in the vicinity of Wellandport,(then known as the Narrows) is not known as the first records were destroyed by fire. However, it is known that the first Wesleyan Methodist Church was a log building built on lot2, Concession 1. It was sometimes known as the Log Jail.
In 1836 the people decided they needed a new church, so they built a long frame building on the Leonard Heaslip farm about one mile west of the village. All that remains to mark the spot is the neglected cemetery on the hill above Chippewa Creek. It was behind the church. The church building served until 1884. Many years later the buildding was purchased by Wm. Gilmore and moved to his farm to be used as a barn. It still stands on Mrs Gilmore’s farm, now (Mrs H. Melick) west of the village. A few communion cards and relics from this church still exist.
The present United Church was built in 1884, a frame structure with no basement. The first minister was Rev. Henry A. Cook.
In 1911 a need for more room was felt, so the church was raised and a basement added. The concrete blocks used were purchased in Dunnville and delivered by tug boat and scow through the old Feeder Canal to Welland, through the Welland Canal to the Chippewa Creek or Welland River as it is known, then up the river to Wellandport to be unloaded at the foot of Welland St. They were then taken to the church by horse and wagon.
A subscription was taken to buy a bell for the steeple. Not enough money was raised so John L. Heaslip, then Post Master contributed the rest so his name was inscribed on the bell. Three of the stained glass windows were donated by J.A. Coleman. At this time Rev. W. L. Davidson was minister, serving four appointments, Silverdale, Centenary,Salem and Wellandport.
In 1948 the brick Presbyterian church was condemned as unsafe and was torn down. Some of the congregation joined the United Church. The seats and pulpit were purchased by the United Church. Rev L.C. McRoberts was the minister at that time.
In 1925 the Church became a United Church of Canada. The minister at that time was Rev Cliff McLelland. When the church celebrated its 75th Anniversary of the present building in 1959 Lay Minister Edward Hale was in charge.
In years past there were always three or four churches in the circuit. Some of them were Attercliffe, Elcho, Bethel, Silverdale and Salem.
In 1968 another Amalgamation took place uniting Salem and Zion with Wellandport. The name of the church was then changed to Emmanuel United Church. The minister in charge is the present minister Rev Bert Ball.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada 1975 many renovations were made in the church and the school room.
Counting from the beginning of this church on the Heaslip farm. The church is 139 years old this year and who knows how long the log church was used and perhaps there was a circuit rider before that. Who Knows?
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