St. Mark’s Church Ground-Breaking and Funding Announcement

HAMILTON, ON – Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Members of Council and Durand Neighbourhood Association Board members broke ground on the restoration of St. Mark’s Church today. This adaptive re-use project will transform the historic 1877 building into a new cultural programming space with the generous support of the Patrick J. McNally Charitable Foundation.

Construction components of the project

• Building an addition to provide barrier free entrances, washrooms and kitchen
• Restoring the historic interior for multi-use
• Building a barrier free stage and interior spaces
• Creating a large outdoor gathering space and community perennial garden
• Installing an on-site storm water management system to limit sewer impact

Rehabilitation of St. Mark’s Church social benefits

• Access to cultural programming
• Supporting group activities
• Providing flexible exterior gathering space with gardens, a patio and grassed area with trees
• Adaptations to enhance the visitor experience for the visually impaired, developed through consultation with the CNIB
• An open concept design to support social distancing in interior spaces
• Proximity to the future LRT, bike lanes and the bus routes for ease of access

Green Initiatives

• Reducing energy consumption by 30%
• Installing energy and water efficient HVAC equipment and fixtures
• Diversion of 100% of storm water from the sewer
• Enhancing the tree canopy - 80% native species will be planted

Quick Facts

• The St. Mark’s Church adaptive re-use project went to tender in March 2022 with the contract awarded in May 2022.
  • Construction will begin in July 2022 with completion scheduled for summer 2024.
• Located at 130 Bay Street South, St. Mark's Church is a heritage building in one of the most densely-populated downtown neighbourhoods in Hamilton.
• Built in 1877, St. Mark’s was the first Anglican Church in Hamilton to be built of brick.
• The church closed in 1989. The City of Hamilton purchased the property in the 1990s.