FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2010

The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is sponsoring a symposium that will offer expert practical advice to Nova Scotians who are struggling to keep their heritage architecture – especially their churches – viable in changing times. Professionals with expertise in architectural preservation, engineering, history, energy conservation, and stained glass conservation will speak at Conservation of Religious Buildings and their Settings.

Nova Scotia’s heritage churches form a unique historical treasure, but everywhere their survival is at risk. These building were built to answer the needs of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. How can these heritage sites be given new life and remain viable in the 21st?

The Heritage Trust has assembled a roster of top professionals to address these issues. Jerry and Gregory MacNeil, of Jerry MacNeil Architects Limited, have over thirty years of experience in design, adaptive reuse and conservation; James Cowie is a structural, architectural and forensic engineer who provides design and project management consulting engineering services during restoration construction;

Norbert Sattler, of Sattler’s Stained Glass Studio, has been recognized by Heritage Canada for his work in stained glass restoration; Arthur Irwin has been involved in the energy field for the past fifty years; and Peter Coffman is an architectural historian at Dalhousie University and Vice-President of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada.
“This symposium is for everybody who cares about the history of Nova Scotia, and everyone who has a stake in its built heritage”, says Dr. Mary Schaefer, Chair of the Heritage Trust’s Religious Buildings Committee and convenor of the Symposium.

“Our goal is to start a conversation about how to save our historic churches before it’s too late. Nova Scotia has to start taking this issue seriously.”

Visit the Heritage Trust web site www.htns.ca
or Call Peter Delefes at 902 826-2087

List of Speakers

Peter Coffman, Ph.D. (Department of History, Dalhousie University)
James Cowie (J.W. Cowie Engineering Limited)
A. Irwin (Irwin Energy Consulting Services)
Gregory MacNeil (Jerry MacNeil Architects Limited)
Jerry MacNeil (Jerry MacNeil Architects Limited)
Norbert Sattler (Sattler’s Stained Glass Studio Ltd)

The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 423-4807
Fax: (902) 423-3977
contact@htns.ca
www.htns.ca
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