What to do with an old church...

Another church is closing. Hyde Park United is shutting down after 134 years. Built as a Presbyterian Church in November 1876, the congregation has served its community well. But sadly, its dwindling congregation has decided it cannot afford the upkeep. A September 19th open house service will celebrate the church's long history and a final service will take place on September 26th. 

Many of you might say, so what? In our increasingly secular age, the United Church of Canada is closing a church a week. Other denominations aren't doing much better. But from the point of view of heritage preservation, the closure means another historic building is threatened. What will happen to this old sanctuary and its manse? Well, they're likely to be put up for sale and, as a Free Press reporter euphemistically put it, the land "redeveloped." To put it more candidly, a land developer will likely regard the property as a fine place to build "luxury" condos. 

Here are some better ideas. Check out this - if Stratford can do it why not our very own H.P.? Or this. I know, some people will be offended at the thought of church structures being used for culinary or domestic purposes. But as we say in the heritage world "it's better than tearing it down."

Update, March 23, 2011: Rumours are circulating. A potential buyer wants to remove the steeple, stating it would cost too much to repair. Stay tuned.

A long overdue update: The building was rescued by a new owner, dermatologist Dr. Wei Jing Loo, who moved her business, DermEffects, into the building in 2012. Although the tower was torn down, it has been replaced by a replica. The manse next door was demolished but its bricks used to renovate the rear of the church building where businesses have opened. Wooden pews now make up the seats in the waiting room. Altogether, a fine example of adaptive reuse. For more info, see here.