Society seeks to preserve hundred-year-old church before it’s too late

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

The Western District Historical Society requested the Town of Strathmore to give consideration to designating the former St. Michaels and All Angels Church and property as a Municipal Historical Resource, following rumours that a new mystery landowner is entertaining the idea of a demolition.
Although the 106-year-old parish building doesn’t meet the necessary criteria for a provincial historical site, due to several changes and an addition over the years, Strathmore can grant designation to the site as a Municipal Historical Site by bylaw without seeking the property owner’s consent. Because of hearsay that the building may be torn down, the Western District Historical Society approached the town to implement the site designation, thus preventing any destruction to the church.
“We just wanted to put it to [council] that we would like to save it, and the only way to have it is by it staying in that location and by it being designated so that it can’t be demolished, because there was definite word told to us that it was going to be demolished,” said Lynne Fair, a member of the Western District Historical Society.
“It can only be designated if it stays in that location, moving it would not let it qualify for historic designation anymore. We have not yet been able to establish contact with whom we were told purchased the land that the church sits on. So we haven’t been able to negotiate anything with whoever that buyer was. We don’t know why there is a fly in the ointment, but there just is at the moment.”
Fair spoke before council on Nov. 4, informing council that an individual from Alberta Culture and Tourism visited the site, taking extensive notes but informed the society that due to the alterations to the building it would not qualify under provincial statute. Fair continued to explain the delay in presenting a letter to the diocese, as a member of the board recently suffered a death in the family which moved productivity back a month.
While the Historical Resource Act states that a council of a municipality, after giving the owner a 60 days’ notice, may by bylaw designate any historic resource within the municipality whose preservation it considers to be in the public interest as a Municipal Historic Resource, administration urged council to work together with the property owner and come to an agreement prior to bylaw approval.
The process of designation consists of first presenting a Statement of Significance explaining the worth and need for protection and understanding its heritage value, then presenting to council for consideration before a compensation agreement is reached with the property owner, and then follow many other additional steps. Councillor Bob Sobol and Councillor Steve Grajczyk voiced their concerns regarding possible financial responsibility with a lack of information and an unease about the possibility of becoming trapped financially. However, Councillor Peterson felt the information presented was viable to proceed, and felt confident the society was serious about the project.
“I think that we do have a fair amount of information at this point, and I think we have enough information to begin the process,” said Councillor Peterson in regards to the Statement of Significance.
“I think that’s a reasonable and rational place to start in this process and it’s one where we can engage property owners. The Western District Historical Society will not put the town in any kind of jeopardy and they’ve been extremely open with the diocese, with the minister, and with the local community in every step that they’ve taken. It’s been really admirable to see how they’ve moved forward with openness and absolute clear clarity on their position and desires.”
Administration also assured council that any compensation agreement would be required to come before council for consideration. Councillor Peterson called for a motion to have the Western District Historical Society provide a letter to the town explaining the church’s worthy of protection to give further understanding to its heritage value and in doing that write a Statement of Significance to be brought to the Nov. 18 regular council meeting. In regards to timing, administration said the landowner would be required to apply for a demolition permit and didn’t appear too concerned about the timeline of bringing the issue back next week.