“An agreement in principle” has been reached between the Diocese of Niagara and the three parishes that left the diocese in 2008. This article (my emphasis) chronicles the experiences of the Church of one of them, the Good Shepherd in St. Catharines.

Anglican Diocese of Niagara Archdeacon Michael Patterson said the situation has been difficult for all sides and he is looking forward to its conclusion. An agreement in principle has been reached between the two parties, and all that’s required are signatures.

The diocese has not determined what it will do with the church building on Granthoam, Former members of the Good Shepherd parish who disagreed with the split have moved to other congregations in the city, he said.

“They have been patient and waiting upon outcomes to determine what would happen, generations of people who were members of that community, (who) hope upon hope that we’ll be able to re-ignite the community.”

But Patterson said that given the climate of church closures, amalgamations and declining attendance, the diocese cannot commit to re-opening the church.

Archdeacon Michael Patterson admits that the diocese has no real use for the building in St. Catharines; the same would go for St. Hilda’s since there is no congregation eagerly awaiting the return of the diocese there either.

This is at odds with a letter sent to the congregation of St. Hilda’s by Bishops Michael Bird and Ralph Spence in 2008 where they declared their determination to keep the church doors open come what may:

The doors probably will remain open – for the real estate agents and their prospective buyers.