12/22/2025
It cost just under $15,000 to build the church and Parish House 125 years ago. The original cost sheet breaks every dollar down from the architect, the contractor, the windows, the bell work, even the vault in the Parish House.
Today you’d be looking at a cool eight to twelve million to recreate it.
I’m posting the full transcription below if you want to see exactly what they paid for, line by line.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE COST LEDGER
(line-for-line)
Cost Mount Carmel Church Construction
Geo. E. Baker architect plans & spec & inspection ……… 375.00
M. F. Schurman Contract ………………………………………… 10,700
unknown ………………………………………… 309.25
M. J. Schurman acct for material for chimney & foundation & labour putting in front ……… 656.63
Kavanagh metal front ……………………………………… 380.67
Vault door Caldwell ……………………………………… 78.00
Wiring W. P. Powell ……………………………………………………… 143.40
Electric machine F. Lemire & Cameron ……………………… 64.53
Elevation & Bells Freeman 126 +12.50…………………… 138.50
Drain to shore A. Cohan ………………………………… 55.00
Drain pipe R. J. Holman & Richard co…………… 16.25
Paid labour sheathing etc ……………………………… 136.50
Painting Sundries payments ……………………………… 73.25
Sundries hardware Paul Locks ……………………… 91.96
Plumbing Chase Best …………………………………… 13.00
Plumbing Paul Bourke contract. ………………………… 140.73
Glass plates Dunson & Co …………………………… 524.40
Windows Holman & T. W. S. Co ………………………… 64.62
Ceilings Gass & Wells Co …………………… 149.02
Carpenter work Doyle …………………………………… 100.00
Furnaces Thompson & Sutherland…………………… 230.00
Installation extras ………………………………………… 42.00
Marble Ben Courcel & Catin Drum……………… 240.70
Total ………………………………………………………… 14,418.91
If you are able to transcribe it more accurately please do as this is the best I could make out.
