Congregationalist Church Sarnia, ON

[johnny5]

Congregationalist church at left was erected in 1879. A church for only a few years, it has been apartments since the 1930's.

Attachments:

[ilmason]

The Congregationalist Church was one of Sarnia's earliest. The congregation was established in ca. 1838-1840. The first building was constructed on Front Street facing the river on the site of the parking lot of the federal building. The second church (the one pictured) seated 400 plus 50 in the balcony. Jean Elford notes that this church was used by the Congregationalists until 1907. A "Sarnia Observer" article reports it was converted into apartments in 1922.

[Steve]

Between 1907 and its conversion into apartments (apparently, about 1922), this church building became a steam laundry; Ideal Laundry, owned by Hugh Chittick. My great grandfather, William Loxton, was stationary engineer, operating the boiler here in 1911.

This info comes from Vernon's Sarnia and Point Edward Directory of 1911, available online.

[ilmason]

A couple more items in the Sarnia Canadian Observer provide more information about the former church in the 1920s. An ad in the newspaper of Wed. July 28, 1920 (pg. 7) reports: "The old Congregational Church property on the north side of Wellington Street, from Victoria to Vidal Streets, is offered for sale by tender. Tenders must be mailed to the owner, W. F. Marshall, Corner of Fullarton and Richmond Streets, London, Ontario..." An article about the renovation of the former church appears in the Sarnia Canadian Observer newspaper of Tues. Jan. 25, 1921 (pg. 7): "Victoria Apartments Thoroughly Modern Nearing Completion -- With the completion of the Victoria apartments on Victoria street, six more apartments will be available, which will in a measure relieve the house scarcity and provide excellent accommodation for anyone desiring [print missing] G. B. [?] Sutherland purchased the property, which at one time was the Congregational church, and under his supervision has been entirely remodelled and modernized and converted into six splendid apartments, fully modern in every respect. Each apartment has been repainted, repapered and redecorated, and present a cheerful and homelike appearance and will compare favorably with any similar apartments to be found anywhere. Victoria apartments are beautifully situated on the corner of Victoria and Wellington streets, opposite Victoria park, convenient to street cars and close to the city. Further improvements are contemplated, consisting of a large verandah across the front of the building and the beautification of the grounds. Mr. Sutherland is to be congratulated on his enterprise."