St. Andrew's Presbyterian (United) Church

Building Details
Name:	St. Andrew's Presbyterian (United) Church
Address:	315 Fitzwilliam Street
Architectural Style:	Victorian
Building Use:	Institutional
Year of Construction:	1893
Builder or Architect:	Warren Hayes, Architect (A.E.Henderson, Architect - Church Hall)
Protected Heritage Property:	Yes

Heritage Value Statement

Built in 1893, St. Andrew’s United Church is a good example of Late Victorian church architecture. The church follows the square floor plan with second floor horseshoe gallery typical of Late Victorian Presbyterian churches, its original denomination. A large hall at the rear, built in 1927, features a two-storey auditorium with a balcony. The church retains much of its original character despite some later alterations, most notably a stucco finish over the original brick walls.



Still in use, the Church represents the historic and continuing spiritual, social and cultural importance of the building to Nanaimo. In addition to church services, the building has long hosted community events such as concerts and festivals.



St. Andrew’s United Church is significant because of its association with the historic national merger of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches in 1925 and it speaks to the historic and continuing complex and often divisive religious issues that confront communities. In Nanaimo, the merger was controversial. A large proportion of Presbyterians voted against union and the subsequent legal battle over the division of the property was the only union litigation case in British Columbia.



St. Andrew’s United Church is also significant because of its association with American architect Warren H. Hayes, a specialist in church design who is credited with the development of the diagonal auditorium form. He designed a number of buildings throughout the United States including the Scottish Rite Temple in Minneapolis and Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and is known to have provided the plans for at least two churches in Canada.



The manse, rock wall, landscaped grounds and attached hall all have a historic and physical relationship to the church and are an essential part of the site’s value.



The church’s tall bell tower and substantial mass dominate this corner of Fitzwilliam Street and make the building a highly visible historic landmark.

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