First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church
Address:
401 4th Avenue North
Status:
  • Regular

Description of the Historic Place

First Baptist Church is a traditional cross shaped church in the neighbourhood of City Park. Built in 1945, the church occupies a prominent spot along the corner of 4th Avenue and 25th Street at 401 4th Avenue North.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of First Baptist Church lies in its unique architecture. Designed by Webster & Gilbert, the church is frame and stucco construction with red brick trim around the arched doors and windows. The church has a seating capacity of 330 people with straight pews in the centre section and circular pews in the east and west sections. A choir loft is located behind the pulpit and the building also contains the pastor's vestry, choir room, women's clubroom, Sunday school room, and a kitchen.

Built in 1904, the original First Baptist Church in Saskatoon was located on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 21st Street (where the Avenue Building now stands). The second First Baptist Church was built in 1911 at 401 4th Avenue North. This church had a seating capacity of 700 people and was built of brick with heavy cut stone trimmings. The interior was shaped like an octagon, and it was one of the first churches in Saskatoon to have a pipe organ. The building was destroyed by fire on January 1, 1943. The current First Baptist Church was built in 1945 on the same lot as the previous one. The concrete foundation of the former church was used as much as possible in the construction of the new church. 

Today, the First Baptist Church continues to be a neighbourhood landmark in City Park.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

  • Its unique architectural style, evident in: its traditional cross shape; stucco and brick exterior; parapets; arched doorways and windows; and
  • Those elements that speak to its status as a neighbourhood landmark, including its orientation on its original lot and prominent location along 4th Avenue North.

 

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