When the Milner church was moved a block away from where it had stood for decades, it left a gaping hole in what is essentially the heart of the small farming community.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the church, which is now a non-denominational wedding chapel on 216 Street, and on Dec. 12, Township council approved building an $80,000 commemorative cairn which will be erected on the spot where the church had stood until it was moved in 2006.
Elaine Horricks, the Township’s heritage planner, said that the cairn will interpret and celebrate the history of Milner by developing the original site of the church for public use.
Images presented to council show the site, which takes into account eventual improvements to the intersection of Glover Road/216 Street/Crush Crescent, with concrete paths connecting to the cairn.
The cairn will be sheltered by a maple tree that was planted to commemorate the Langley men who died in the First World War.
“It really captivates what Milner is all about,” said Councillor Charlie Fox, who represents council on the Heritage Advisory Committee.
“It is of major significance to the community,” he said, adding that it will improve that corner of Milner.
Asked by Councillor Bob Long if funds were available from other levels of government, Horricks said that “support from senior levels of government is not high right now.”