Historic Resources Inventory Evaluation Form Evaluation Date September 12, 2017 Community District Riverside Designation National Historic Site Grade 1 The place should be rated for each of the criteria below, in order to establish its relative significance. This will determine if the place merits inclusion on the Medicine Hat Historic Resources Inventory, or not, and whether it is Grade 2 (Moderate/High Heritage Significance) or Grade 1 (Exceptional/Outstanding Heritage Significance). Site Name(s): St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church Municipal Address: 238 2 Avenue NE Architectural Style: Gothic Revival Architect: Manley N. Cutter Legal: 7611175;2;3 Site Area: 0.62ha Date of Construction: 1912-14 Builder: Purdy & Henderson Consultant(s): Donald Luxton & Associates Heritage Planner: City of Medicine Hat Evaluation Date: Y 2017 M 09 D 12 1
Statement of Significance Site Name St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church Site Name: St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church Municipal Address: 238 2 Avenue NE Description of Historic Place St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church, constructed from 1912 to 1914, is a monumental transept-plan church designed in the Gothic Revival style in Medicine Hat s Riverside neighbourhood, just north of Finlay Bridge. The imposing church is distinctive for its single material cladding of reinforced concrete, front-gabled massing with clipped eaves, and dominating twinned steeples with classic pointed arched gothic-style windows and louvres. The two sets of oak double doors are set back under a massive pointed arch arcade. The church is located on the east side of a full city block property with its primary facades fronting 2 nd Street and 2 nd Avenue NE. Heritage Value of Historic Place St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church, constructed from 1912 to 1914, is highly significant as a rare and outstanding example of pure Gothic Revival design in Medicine Hat. The style, which originated in France in the 12 th century, was resurrected in the 1800s in Canada and the United States of America, gaining popularity in both ecclesiastical and residential form. The design is an important surviving example of the work of New Jersey-based architect, Manley N. Cutter (1851-1931), active in New York City beginning in 1880. After 1905, Cutter left New York and moved to different cities for work, following the waves of economic booms during the early 1900s. He settled in Medicine Hat in 1911 to design the church. After completion of the exterior of the church, Cutter moved to Charleston, West Virginia in 1914; this is the only known example of his work in Alberta. Gothic Revival design is evident in the church s emphatic verticality and picturesque asymmetry with its steeply gabled roof with clipped eaves, prominent rosette windows on each façade, and soaring twinned steeples with 46 metre tapered polygonal spires flanking each side of the entryway, all elements designed with the intention of drawing one s eyes upwards towards the heavens. The deeply recessed front entryway, under a pointed arch arcade and gabled pediment, is elevated from the street, and marked by two sets of double oak doors with Roman Catholic imagery in the stained glass transom panels above the doors. Traditional Roman Catholic iconography is evident in the building through its formal transept and apse plan, with attached chapel. As the main catholic church in the city, its concrete walls and lavish interior create a sanctuary of calm and solemnity amongst its formal interior layout. The interior of the church retains its original design, including the spatial configuration of the sanctuary with its arches, pillars, vaulted ceilings, and decorative traceries. Much of the church s original wooden furnishings, such as pews, remain alongside modern handmade liturgical furniture as reminders of the constant grandeur and grace of this historic house of worship. St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church is further valued as one of the first reinforced concrete buildings constructed in Canada and the only building of its kind in Medicine Hat. Modelled after New York s St. Patrick s Cathedral, built in 1879, the church was constructed in one continuous pour of concrete, a construction method that would not gain popularity for many decades in Alberta. The process, undertaken by Montreal-based construction firm, Purdy & Henderson, entailed a large motor-driven concrete mixer connected to a 23-meter elevator. The concrete was delivered to various sections of the building through large conveyor pipes where it was poured in sections into a form that became the walls of the church. The entire building was constructed of poured-in-place concrete, from its substantial 56- centimeter diameter foundation, walls, and its roof. Purdy & Henderson were hired in 1913 as construction managers for the $63,000 contract. Excavation of the foundation commenced in September 2
1912, by local contractor, Andrew E. Forester. Construction of the exterior was completed by January 1914, and included the exterior walls, plumbing, gas fixtures and electrical. Three brass bells, donated to the congregation in 1914, and cast in France by Pacard and Sons Foundry in Annecy-le-Vieux, are housed in the bell tower. Due to a lack of finances after completion of the first phase, a worldwide crash in the economy, and the outbreak of the First World War, the interior remained unfinished until the 1930s. As a result, for nearly 20 years church services were held in the basement of the building. As the second Catholic church in Medicine Hat, St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church is also valued as a strong symbol of the longevity and community contribution required to build the church, and remains valued by its congregation as a welcoming place of worship with strong ties to the past. The Roman Catholic church has a long history in Medicine Hat with the initial church services held every second Sunday in the home of the first CPR superintendent, J.C. Shields in the 1880s. The first formal petition for a purpose-built church arose in 1886, and building on the congregation s momentum, the first Roman Catholic church was completed and opened in December 1886. Plans were brought to the congregation by Father Graton of Regina, and Father Therien purchased two lots from the CPR at the northwest corner of Toronto Street and 5 th Avenue. The church, originally part of the Dioceses of St. Boniface when the building was first constructed, was transferred to the Diocese of St. Albert in 1891. With the rapid growth of the congregation to 650 families by 1913, the Corporation of the Parish of Saint Patrick Medicine Hat was established in 1911, with the first item of business to develop a new Roman Catholic church in the then town. Reverend Auguste Cadoux, appointed Superior at the time, spearheaded the original concept and development of the new church. That same year, the 1886 church property was sold to a developer for $67,000, earmarked for use to construct the new church. A 21-lot site was purchased for $22,000 in the newly subdivided Altawana subdivision, near Finlay Bridge on the north side of the South Saskatchewan River. Work on the church began in 1912, with just the exterior of the church constructed by 1914. Completion of the church did not commence again until after the First World War in 1919. At that time, the newly appointed Reverend Father Dean Fitzpatrick had a rectory constructed at the rear (north) of the church, due to inadequate accommodation provided in the basement of the church. His tenure through the 1920s primarily entailed travelling through Canada and central U.S.A. to solicit funds from Roman Catholic organizations to relieve the church of its $63,000 debt, incurred during construction. Reverend Fitzpatrick died in 1926 of cancer, and was replaced by his nephew, Reverend Michael Joseph Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, with Bishop John Kidd and several donations from the local Roman Catholic community, were instrumental in undertaking the completion of the church s interior. The completed church opened at the height of the Depression in 1932 on St. Patrick s Day. Highlights of the interior included its: elegant oak pew seating for 625 people; exquisite Carrera marble altar, made in Italy and donated in 1913 by Michael Leonard, a successful baker in the city; and a magnificent and finely crafted brass chandelier suspended over the altar. A false hammer beam ceiling 14 8 (4.5 m) below the concrete roof was also installed (1931-32), designed by Father Robert McGuiness, a graduate in engineering, to help cut heating costs during in the winter months. Later additions to the church included stained glass and rosette windows manufactured by Rault Fréres and imported from Rennes, France in 1953, a new rectory to replace the 1919 rectory on the north side of the church in 1969, a new copper roof (1979) to rectify the chronically leaking concrete roof, and the installation of a Galanti Classic Organ, manufactured in Italy, in 1997. St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church also has significant landmark value for its prominent siting with unimpeded sightlines of the church from downtown Medicine Hat, its spectacular and rare Gothic inspired architecture, and its strong ties to the Roman Catholic congregation in Medicine Hat. The site was declared a National Historic Site in 1996 and is on the City s Historic Resources Inventory. 3
Character-Defining Elements The key character-defining elements of St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church include, but are not limited to its: - location on the east side of a large full city block with the main facades facing 2 nd Street and 2 nd Avenue NE in the City of Medicine Hat; - location in a residential area, well set back from the street near Finlay Bridge with views to downtown; - set on the corner of a raised lot with mature plantings and grassed front and side areas; parking lot on west side of building; decorative carved brick church sign by local artist James Marshall; - form, scale, and massing of its traditional Catholic plan including: one-storey with full-height raised basement; cruciform plan with six-sided apse, nave and transepts; front-gabled roofline with clipped eaves; - reinforced concrete construction including: poured concrete foundation; smooth concrete walls; wooden doors and windows; concrete roof under later copper roof; - French-influenced Gothic Revival style including: twin towers each capped with four pinnacles with pronounced polygonal spires with latticework louvres and topped with zinc crosses; pointed arch arcade with triangular pediment above and deeply recessed front entryway; substantial buttresses with polygonal pinnacles at corners of towers and gable ends; pointed arch windows with intersecting tracery; pinnacles along main roofline; - fenestration such as: pointed arch openings with recessed wooden-sash windows; single assembly wooden-sash pointed arch stained glass windows with intersecting tracery on lower portion of facades; groups of three wooden-sash pointed arch stained glass windows with intersecting tracery; clerestory stained glass windows on east and west facades; groups of two narrow tall pointed arch stained glass windows with intersecting tracery on towers; large round rosette stained glass windows with floral tracery at gable ends and entryway; single assembly 3-over-3 wooden-sash single-hung windows at basement level; door openings with recessed doors and pointed arch wooden-sash transoms with stained glass intersecting tracery; two sets of oak double doors with lancet windows and All Seeing Eye imagery with wooden sash pointed arch stained glass transoms above (installed in 1980); - additional elements associated with the Catholic Church such as: brass bells cast in France in 1914; various dedication plaques throughout church; cornerstone; and - interior elements from 1931 and later interior renovation including: original layout of transept plan including choir loft; battalion tiled flooring in sanctuary and chancel area; Carrera marble altar donated in 1913 and installed in 1931; 1997 Galanti Classic Organ; pilasters and ribbed columns; original wooden trim and wooden panelled doors with coloured leaded and textured glass in transom; oak pews; brass chandelier; 14 stations of the cross (1960); decorative masonry mural by local artist James Marshall (1999). 4
Historic Images 1912 circa. St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church, postcard [Esplanade 0110.0004]. 1913 circa. Nott, Jessop. St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church [Esplanade 0350.0024]. 5
1919 circa. St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church Glenbow Archives NA-5002-6]. 6
1970s. Nohr, Axel. St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church [Esplanade 0760.0350]. 1972-08-21. Koppereed, H., St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church HS 49852 [Alberta Heritage Survey 72- R0342-37]. 7
Additional Images West façade (DLA 2017). Details of louvres (DLA 2017). 8
Details of wall and rosette window showing staining from copper roof (DLA 2017). Details of front doors with oak doors installed in 1980 (DLA 2017). 9
East façade showing apse (DLA 2017). 1969 rectory at north end of church (DLA 2017). 10
Interior showing altar and liturgical furniture (DLA 2017). Details of altar (DLA 2017). 11
Details of hammer beam ceiling, installed in 1931-32 (DLA 2017). Details of masonry wall installed by James Marshall in 1999 (DLA 2017). 12
Door with decorative glass transom (DLA 2017). Details of brass chandelier (DLA 2017). 13
Statement of Integrity Site Name St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church Values Summary: St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church, constructed from 1912 to 1914, is highly significant as a rare and outstanding example of pure Gothic Revival design in Medicine Hat (Theme Value Built in Medicine Hat). St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church is further valued as one of the first reinforced concrete buildings constructed in Canada and the only building of its kind in Medicine Hat (Theme Value Built in Medicine Hat). As the second Catholic church in Medicine Hat, St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church is also valued as a strong symbol of the longevity and community contribution required to build the church, and remains valued by its congregation as a welcoming place of worship with strong ties to the past (Theme Value Spiritual Life). St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church also has significant landmark value for its prominent siting with unimpeded sightlines of the church from downtown Medicine Hat, its spectacular and rare Gothic inspired architecture, and its strong ties to the Roman Catholic congregation in Medicine Hat (Landmark Value). Period of Significance: 1910s; 1930s 14
Chronology of Alterations: 1914 Exterior of church complete 1919 Original rectory constructed at rear of church 1931-32 False wooden hammer beam ceiling installed to cut heating costs Interior finishes and floor completed Altar donated in 1913 installed 1953 1958 1960 1968 1969 Stained glass windows and stained glass rosette windows installed. Purchased through Rault Fréres regional representatives, Burns-Hanley Church Supplies, Regina. Manufactured in the Rault Fréres studio in Rennes, France. Battalion tiled floor in sanctuary and chancel installed 14 stations of the cross painted by HG Glyde donated by Gibson family Marble communion rail removed Original rectory demolished and replaced with new 1978-79 New copper roof, electrical/mechanical repairs, sealing of stucco, restoring of opalescent hue of concrete walls 1980 1981 1983 1987 1994 1999 New oak front doors installed donated by Watson Construction with material donated from local Knights of Columbus Flood lights added to front of church Installation of elevator in narthex Resurfacing (stucco) of walls Oak pews restored Masonry sculpture covering back of sanctuary designed by James Marshall installed 15
2004 Church sign designed by James Marshall installed High back wooden chair donated by Knights of Columbus Circa 2015 New Galanti Classic Organ purchased, replacing one initially installed in 1997 Aspects of Integrity: 1. LOCATION Yes No N/A Location is the place where an historic resource was constructed or the site where an historic activity or event occurred. 2. DESIGN Yes No N/A Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure and style of a resource. 3. ENVIRONMENT Yes No N/A Environment is the physical setting of an historic resource. Whereas location refers to a specific place, environment refers to the character of the place in which a resource played its historic role. 4. MATERIALS Yes No N/A Materials are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period(s) or time frame and in a particular pattern or configuration to form an historic resource. 5. WORKMANSHIP Yes No N/A Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history. It is important because it can provide information about technological practices and aesthetic principles. 6. ASSOCIATION Yes No N/A Association is a direct link between an historic resource and a significant historical theme, activity or event, or an institution or person. 16
Statement of Integrity: St Patrick s Roman Catholic Church maintains all the aspects of integrity necessary for it to convey its significance/heritage value. The church is highly intact and in excellent condition, clearly expressing its Gothic Revival design. The original 1912-14 church form is in good condition with no known additions apart from the 1969 rectory on the rear (north) of the building. This rectory is obscured from the front view of the building. The 1931-32 renovation to complete the interior has been retained. Foundation: The foundation appeared to be in good condition with no evidence of major cracking. Cladding: The original reinforced concrete had an opalescent hue. The opalescence was restored in the 1978-79 renovation but was later covered by a stucco layer in 1987. The stucco has some areas of staining from the copper roof and cracking around downspouts but nothing significant. Roof: The copper roof appears to be in good condition and was laid over top of the original concrete roof which had been leaking badly since it was constructed. The copper roof was laid over a rubber base to protect from moisture (1979). Roof elements: Gutters and downspouts present and functioning. The gutters were replaced with the roof in 1979. Windows: The stained glass windows at the main and clerestory levels as well as in the towers and rosettes are in excellent condition and have been well maintained and recently painted. Some of the basement windows have been replaced with vinyl windows. The original wooden windows appear to be in good condition. Doors: Many of the original doors have been replaced including the oak front doors. Two original wooden doors on the east façade are in good condition with some original hardware. Additions: 1969 a rectory was added to the rear of the church. It is not sympathetic but is subdued in comparison to the original design. 17
CRITERIA Statement of Criteria 1. The place is closely and meaningfully associated with one or more themes, events, periods of time, or cultural traditions considered important in the history of Medicine Hat. (Historic) 2. The place is strongly associated with the life or work of a person, group of persons, or institution(s) of importance in Medicine Hat s history. (Historic) 3. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or represents an important creative achievement in design, architecture, landscape architecture, planning, construction, materials, or technology. (Aesthetic, Architectural, Technical) 4. The community, or a social or cultural group within the community, is deeply attached to the place for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons. (Social, Cultural, Spiritual) 5. The place, by virtue of its location, its symbolism, or some other element, serves to communicate the heritage of Medicine Hat to a broad audience. (Landmark, Symbolism) 6. The place could yield important information that will contribute to the understanding of Medicine Hat s past. (Scientific, Educational) 7. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Medicine Hat s cultural history. (Historic, Rarity) 8. The place is important in the historic urban development of the neighbourhood or city. (Context, Landscape, Urban Context, Group Value) Site Name: St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church Level of Heritage Significance N/A Low Moderate High Based on the above criteria, does the place merit inclusion on the Historic Resources Inventory? (at least 1 High or 4 Moderate ) Does the place possess exceptional/outstanding qualities for any of the criteria listed above? No No (result GRADE 2) Yes Yes (result GRADE 1) Does the place retain sufficient integrity to convey significance? If not, the place will not qualify. No Yes FINAL EVALUATION Date Approved by Heritage Resources Committee: September 12, 2017 GRADE 2 GRADE 1 18