"It got so hot inside one of Burlington’s oldest churches one summer morning that a parishioner fainted."

Painted shut years ago, the wooden windows on St. John's - Nelson were impossible to open, and Sunday morning services became unbearable. 

But this past week, thanks to a local renovator who donated his team’s time and resources, the fresh air is flowing. And the cool air is a welcome change for parishioners and their Rev. Stewart Carolan-Evans.

Renuitt Builders Inc. spent hours painstakingly scraping, prying and using elbow grease to loosen the stubborn windows. The family-owned and operated Oakville home renovation and contracting company – was happy to help.

Owner Dylan Resnick said he enjoys doing the work.

“It’s a family business and you need to take care of those around you,” he said. 

Once a year, Renuitt Builders performs an act of kindness for someone in the community in the hopes that it is paid forward to others, or that another contractor might consider doing a similar service to the community.

This year’s project got started when churchgoer Linda Frape, who had hired Renuitt to do some renovations in her Brant Hills home in the summer, told them about the troubles.

Renuitt had spent several weeks at her home, but rarely saw Linda, mostly dealing with her husband. Turns out, she spent most of her time volunteering at the church, including a tree-planting project they completed in October.

After asking her about her volunteering, Dylan learned of the hardship the church was battling with its lack of airflow, and a number of other urgent needs facing the historic landmark, and the second oldest Anglican church in the city.

 “We have tried everything to open or get the windows to function again and we have had no luck,” she said, noting St. John’s was built in 1839 and is on the verge of being designated a historic landmark.

Renuitt Builders Inc. is a strong believer in giving back to the community that has supported them over the years. Though they’ve done so anonymously in the past, Frape was having none of that.

She was so impressed with the kindness of the men who worked on her home that she wanted to spread the word, notifying a few news sources in the process.

“Their kindness has truly overwhelmed us, and this act is simply too heartwarming not to share,” she said. “It's a powerful reminder of the positive impact we can all make in our community. Rev. Stewart, our congregation, and I are immensely grateful for Renuitt's generosity, and we hope this story inspires others.”

Renuitt also donated $1,000 to the church so it could take on some of its other projects. Last year, the group of young contractors made a difference to the lives of a Mountainside family. https://www.burlingtontoday.com/local-news/favourite-stories-of-2023-contractor-steps-up-with-free-reno-for-local-family-8028560

Justin Resnick, Dylan’s brother, agreed that helping the church out this year made everyone feel good.

“The church had a list of things they were having issues with in their day to day,” he said. “We knew we could do something that would help each of the members.”

Carolan-Evans said air conditioning isn’t an option. It would cost $80,000 – money that would be better spent on many needed items the local church members already have. There are about 120 parishioners at the church that will celebrate its 190th anniversary next year, while the church was built in 1839.

“We’re here for the community but we have many needs greater than an air conditioner,” said Carolan-Evans, who moved from Dover, England in February to become the church’s new reverend. “This means everything to us. Worship is where we start inspiring people. We want them to be listening comfortably, not sweating.

“A lot of the members are seniors,” he added. He’s thankful to Renuitt, and said they were enthusiastic and generous with their time and resources.

Renuitt Builders looks forward to seeing just how many people this story can reach, in order to start a domino effect of others paying it forward as well.