This brick and stone building at the northeast corner of River Avenue and Nassau Street North in Winnipeg, measuring 98 feet by 98 feet, was built in two phases as the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The foundation and basement were designed by local architects Lewis H. Jordan and Walter Percy Over and built between 1910 and 1911 by the construction firm of Wallace and Akins at a cost of about $70,000.
Four years later, Jordan and Over designed a superstructure with a seating capacity of about 1,000 people. The work was completed by the Fort Garry Construction Company at a cost of about $33,800 and was completed in early 1916. At this time, the basement became a Sunday School with a capacity of 300 pupils. The church was dedicated officially on 28 December 1924.
In 2011, the building was sold to the Stonebridge Development Group. It was subsequently renovated into residential apartments. In 2014, the project was given a Preservation Award by Heritage Winnipeg.
First Church of Christ, Scientist (1916)
Source: Contract Record and Engineering Review, 17 May 1916, page 484.
The former First Church of Christ, Scientist (April 2017)
Source: George Penner
The former First Church of Christ, Scientist (January 2025)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Location (lat/long): N49.87857, W97.14919
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Walter Percy Over (1874-1944)
Manitoba Business: Wallace and Akins
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Church of Christ, Scientist (265 Inkster Boulevard, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: First Church of Christ, Scientist (409 Queen Street West, Virden)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2287/1910, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Winnipeg, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 13 April 1910, page 24.
“First church of Christ, Scientist,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 March 1911, page 12.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 891/1915, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Mainly constructional - good progress has been made on the erection of the First Church of Christ, Scientist on River Street, Winnipeg,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 8 September 1915, page 947.
“First Church of Christ Scientists dedicate a new church at Winnipeg, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 17 May 1916, page 484.
“Dedication of First Scientist Church Sunday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 27 December 1924, page 1.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, 511 River Avenue, City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, May 2006.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 23 June 2025
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