The future of the small, white church that splits Highway 75 near Ste. Agathe is uncertain.

Scott Parker is one of four individuals who make up The Union Point Church Association. The group has taken it upon themselves to preserve this landmark and prevent it from falling into disrepair. He says, despite their efforts, the main foundation of the church is slowly crumbling and hopes there will be enough continued interest in the building to support its general well-being.

Union Point Church dates all the way back to the 1880s, notes Parker. Typically, a building this old would be considered a heritage site and therefore eligible to receive federal support, he explains, however, because the church was rebuilt after a fire burnt it down in 1939 the building is no longer old enough to qualify for government funding.

"So we had one of three options. One, they move it to a museum site. Two, they tear it down. Or three, we take it over and try and keep it here on the site."

In order to keep it on its original site, Parker and the other volunteers spend time mowing the lawn around the church, or cleaning and fixing what they can with the money they receive from donations. "We depend on donations" he stresses, "and we are considered a charitable organization."

Parker notes Union Point used to be a bustling town back in the 1880s with trade boats coming down the Red River on one side and a busy railway on the other. He adds that the church is now, essentially all that remains of the old town.

Parker indicates the church is seldom used anymore, but for the very occasional wedding or nostalgic church service, still, he says, it is something everybody enjoys driving by. "We just like that fact that so many people know of the little church and it's just a local landmark that we'd like to keep here for as long as possible."

Inside of Union Point Church