Hamilton heritage enthusiasts plot next steps to save St. Giles United Church
A permit to demolish St. Giles United Church has lapsed, but those hoping to save the more-than-century-old Hamilton landmark aren't yet breathing sighs of relief.
Heritage enthusiasts want to see the vacant church at Main Street East and Holton Avenue South on the city's register of historic properties to give it a 60-day buffer should knock-down plans be revived.
They hope that the interim measure, which requires council approval, can lead to full protection through designation under Ontario's Heritage Act.
The community does not want to lose this building. It still has so much life in it," Sarah Sheehan, a local resident and writer advocating for St. Giles's preservation told the municipal heritage committee Friday.
Fans of the neo-Gothic temple built in 1912-13 argue owner New Vision United Church's plans for residential development on the site, which would provide it with a revenue stream, doesn't have to involve demolition.
Funding is available. It can be done," Sheehan said, pointing to non-profit Indwell's plans for affordable housing at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Kitchener.
In 2014, the shrinking St. Giles and Centenary congregations merged to become New Vision, which is on Main Street West by the MacNab Street HSR terminal.
In an email Friday, Rev. Ian Sloan said impact assessments" for St. Giles are underway.
New Vision will comment further when that work has been completed. I don't want to speculate beyond this."
New Vision's partner in the project is the United Property Resource Corporation (UPRC), which handles real estate matters for the United Church of Canada.
UPRC is working diligently on our analysis and will provide updates on our progress at the appropriate time," CEO Tim Blair wrote in an email. He didn't offer details about the study's nature.
Blair also said UPRC recognizes the project is important to the neighbourhood and we appreciate the feedback and input" during a recent community forum.
Sloan noted St. Giles has not been maintained since 2016 due to the costs involved," adding purpose-built housing" is more in line with the congregations' goals than an adaptive-reuse project.
In 2018, the heritage committee and staff recommended designation for the church, but council opted not to give it that status after hearing from Sloan and others about the congregations' financial challenges.
Something had to be done with one building ... so the other one can remain standing," he said, noting the hope was that rental housing at the St. Giles site would help cover costs at New Vision.
During Friday's committee meeting, city heritage planner Alissa Golden noted a permit to demolish the church issued in 2018 had since expired due to inactivity."
But committee member Janice Brown noted urgency in deciding what to do next to save the building from destruction.
I think we have to move on this. Otherwise, I think much could be lost."
Graham Carroll, another member, said he had zero trust" for the church's owners, lamenting that interior elements of the church, including stained-glass windows, had been put up for auction.
In addition to recommending St. Giles for the heritage registry, the committee directed city staff to report back on options to preserve the church, its potential for adaptive reuse and path to designation via council.
The motion goes to planning committee for consideration April 6 and then potentially to council for a final nod April 14.
Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com