An anonymous $50,000 donation has those looking to re-build Merritt’s Murray Church feeling optimistic.

It has now surpassed the halfway mark towards the $200,000 goal. Fundraising Committee Member Christina Miller says it totally changed the attitudes of those involved.

“We got this $50,000 anonymous donations which of course not only changed the whole tone of our [most recent committee meeting], but it put a huge amount of spring back into our step to keep going because this is obviously something that is worthwhile to people.”

Miller says it was a bit slow going up until this point, but this significant contribution seems to have more people willing to donate to the cause.

“When people see big donations like that they can see that the project is worthwhile, it’s not just something that maybe we’ll happen it’s not something we’re just talking about. I mean we have had posters up since February trying to raise money and I mean we’re a small little community, but we can do great things and I know with the support from outside the community, it’s amazing.”

The Murray Church was first built in 1867 and was burned to the ground in January. Miller says the loss of the historic building has impacted people both near and far.

“People of Merritt have been extremely affected, but it’s been very far reaching. All over Canada people have sent us letters about the loss. Even people from Europe have contacted the church to express their condolences. So yes, it has impacted the community, but it has gone far beyond that as well.”

People can donate to the gofundme page here. Miller says people can also contribute by mailing a donation to trinity united itself and any CIBC branch will have the Murray Church project account linked to them.

She adds there is a buy-a-brick campaign which you can do through any of those means mentioned, just label your donation buy-a-brick. That’s $50 a brick and it will go towards building up that chimney again with the original bricks.