A historical church in Brampton’s Snelgrove community, more than 100 years old, is slated for a modern restoration that includes a new light-up bell tower display. The Snelgrove Baptist Church, located on Hurontario Street, has been a significant landmark since it first opened in 1905. Despite its closure after the World Wars and a brief reopening in 1959, the church has remained a part of both Brampton’s and Ontario’s heritage property rosters.
The Church of Archangel Michael and St. Tekla, which acquired the building in the 1990s, faced a city-denied demolition request in 2020 due to the building’s “Cultural Heritage Value.” The proposed restoration includes an “abstract interpretation” of the original bell tower, employing a steel frame and interpretive lighting to replace the demolished wooden structure.
Additionally, the conservation plan, developed by Giaimo Architects, includes enhanced nighttime lighting that aims to cement the church’s status as a distinguished landmark along Hurontario Street. Notably, the restoration and enhancements will be conducted at no cost to the city, with the project awaiting approval from Brampton’s Heritage Board this Tuesday.
The Snelgrove area, predominantly characterized by single-family homes and the adjacent Region of Peel’s Snelgrove Place seniors apartment building, stands to benefit from the church’s heightened visibility and historical preservation. This move aligns with the city’s commitment to maintaining and celebrating its rich cultural heritage.