St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Description of the Historic Place

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is a brick Gothic style church located in Saskatoon’s Central Business District. Built in 1951, the church is situated on a corner lot at 436 Spadina Crescent East, and is adjacent to the South Saskatchewan River.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is its Gothic style of architecture, a style of architecture characterized by great cathedrals, pointed arches and richly decorated fenestrations. The building maintains the Gothic tradition although it was built much later than other Gothic buildings in the city.  Designed by Webster & Gilbert, the church’s interior features arching laminated wood trusses, oak woodwork and stained glass windows.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is also valued for its status as a religious and cultural landmark. In the early months of St. Andrew’s ministry, the congregation met to worship in a variety of places: initially in the basement of the Masonic Temple, and then as it grew, in the Great War Veterans’ Hall, and finally in the Castle Gardens Hall. A variety of ministers came to preach and lead worship from around the province and from further afield. In 1926, the initial steps were taken to provide a church building for the ministry of St. Andrew’s congregation. The building committee undertook the task of raising funds and of planning and supervising the erection of the building. A new Presbyterian Church opened in 1926. Not too many years later, the congregation undertook the large task of erecting a new church that would accommodate a growing number of people and programs in 1951. A stained glass window in the church is dedicated to Rev. W.G. Brown, minister from 1925 – 1940 and a member of parliament.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its Gothic style of architecture, evident in: its brick exterior with stone accents, gabled roof with parapets, and its arched windows and doorways; and
• Those elements that speak to its status as a historical and neighbourhood landmark, including its prominent location along Spadina Crescent East and its stained glass window.