Bagnall Lodge and Surrounding Land Returns to Diocese

At the end of October the Board of Canterbury Hills formally returned Bagnall Lodge and the land upon which it sits to the Diocese. The move comes after thorough discernment in which the Board decided to refocus its mission on the camping ministries of Canterbury Hills with an eye towards sustainability. A previous agreement will also see a separate parcel of the Canterbury Hills property, some sixty acres of environmentally sensitive land, formally transferred to the Hamilton Conservation Authority in 2015, the use of which will continue to be enjoyed by campers and other users.

With the knowledge that the lease of this part of the property would be ending, Synod Council voted to consider offers of purchase for the five acre Bagnall Lodge parcel of land on the Canterbury Hills property. A conditional offer of purchase from the Dundas Valley Montessori School has been accepted by Synod Council. The School plans on using the existing building and surrounding land for its secondary school program. Canon Christyn Perkons, the diocesan representative for this matter, commented that the agreement was "quite exciting for both the School and the Diocese because of our shared values and commitment to see the site offer quality educational programming that supports intellectual and spiritual growth while preserving the ecological integrity of the property." The sale is expected to be completed in the spring of 2015. 

A service to deconsecrate the chapel at Bagnall Lodge will take place in mid-November. At that time Bishop Michael Bird will give thanks for the conference ministry of Canterbury Hills and the many ways it has served to further God's mission in our Diocese. 

The Canterbury Hills property, located in Ancaster, Ontario, is part of the Dundas Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area, and the Provincially Significant Sulphur Creek Valley area.