Church in Ottawa's Centretown could receive heritage designation
A 130-year-old church in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood could be designated a heritage building due to its cultural heritage value.
A report for the Built Heritage Committee recommends councillors issue a notice of intention to designate the McPhail Memorial Baptist Church on Bronson Avenue at Lisgar Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The red-brick church was constructed in 1893, and continues to function as a Baptist church.
Staff say the property was listed on the city's Heritage Register in 2020. Changes to the Ontario Heritage Act through Ontario Bill's 23 and 200 will result in the removal of the property from the Heritage Register if council does not issue a notice of intention to designate the property by Jan. 1, 2027.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The report for the Built Heritage Committee says the property meets five of the nine criteria to be designated a property of cultural heritage value, including for design value as a unique example of the Queen Anne Revival style with elements of the Romanesque Revival style used in religious buildings in Ottawa.
"The church at 249 Bronson Avenue evokes the Queen Anne Revival style through its corner tower, turret, gabled roof, repetitive dormers, and sash and leaded windows," staff say.
"The church at 249 Bronson Avenue also includes elements of the Romanesque Revival style through its rectangular massing and rusticated stone lintels and sills."
Staff say the church displays a "high degree of craftsmanship," is directly associated with the growth of the Baptist church in Ottawa and is "historically and functionally linked to its surroundings."
"The growth of this area of Centretown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed to Bronson Avenue’s development as a hub for institutional buildings, including the Bronson Centre (formerly Immaculata School), the landmark Peace Tower Church (formerly the Erskine Presbyterian Church), the Saint Vincent hospital, and Centennial Public School," staff say. "As a place of worship, the church at 249 Bronson Avenue is historically and functionally linked to the institutional character of this area of Centretown."
The property includes two buildings. Staff say the building at 251 Bronson Avenue is excluded from the designation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.