A heritage designed Anglican parish, a historic landmark in the heart of a vibrant downtown connected corridor, and a plan to build an eight-storey residential building that will generate needed funds for the revival and survival of the congregation that calls the church building home.
This is the story of both Hamilton’s Anglican Cathedral Place and Winnipeg’s All Saints Church.
The Winnipeg Free Press feature’s the All Saints project in a story that reads almost the same as our Cathedral Place.
The similarities between the two churches and projects are many.
Both parishes say the project is required to infuse the church with funds for needed capital upgrades, as well, the condo will provide for long term sustainability by creating more commercial and community activity
Both churches are major landmarks in their respective cities and located on major corridors into their downtown core. (See Streetview embed below of All Saints)
Our Cathedral Place is in the heart of the James North Commercial district, just north of the Core. All Saints is just south of the Downtown Core at the foot of Osborne North which is a vibrant district with many similarities to James.
Adding to All Saints landmark status in Winnipeg, it is directly across from the provincial legislative building and located on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Both parishes have thrown open their doors to the community, offering services and providing space. They are more than just a place of Sunday worship, they are the hub of community and social services serving their downtown areas of need.
Both congregations are concerned that without the redevelopment plan, they won’t be able to afford to maintain their existing property.
Winnipeg’s plans are in their infancy, they just received a $10,000 grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to start their planning process.
In Hamilton, Cathedral Place has been to the City Hall’s Design Review Panel, been reviewed by staff at the Development Review Team, has a City Council approved negotiation with the City for the purchase of the small municipal parking lot.
The Diocese says they are making many changes to the plans and the original plans presented in 2014 are not a present reflection of the architectural plans for the project. I’m watching the planning file for updates. For more on the Hamilton Cathedral Place proposal, visit The Public Record’s topic page for the project.