Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
The present St. John’s Presbyterian Church is the third structure in the vicinity, the first having been erected in 1904 at the intersection of Charles Street and Cathedral Avenue. Construction of a second, more substantial building began in 1914 but was halted by the outbreak of the First World War. It was completed in 1923 but the congregation divided two years later when a majority agreed to join the Methodists and Congregationalists to form the United Church of Canada. Those congregants who opposed the union began meeting in rented facilities nearby at the College Theatre and, in 1928, they erected this building at the north corner of Charles Street and Bannerman Avenue, just a block from their first church location.
Available evidence suggests the architect for the building was Edgar Prain, Gilbert Parfitt, or possibly both men in collaboration. Built for $19,500 by Langford and Birch Limited, the structure combines elements of Tudor, Gothic Revival, and Craftsman styles. Upon completion, the main sanctuary featured seating for 450. A church hall was added to the west in 1960-1961 and, in 1978, the exterior was re-stuccoed and the interior was renovated.
The building is a municipally-designated historic site.
Period
Cleric
1921-1925
Rev. Thurlow Fraser
1925-1927
Manford George Gutzke (1896-1993)
1928-1933
Rev. T. Owen Hughes
1935-1939
Rev. John Fleck
1940-1945
Rev. George Sparks
1946-1949
Dr. A. Fred. Howick
1950-1958
Rev. Dr. James D. Marnoch (c1914-2000)
1960-1963
Rev. Gordon Peddie
St. John’s Presbyterian Church (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Interior of St. John’s Presbyterian Church (November 2017)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92537, W97.12696
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Patrick’s and St. Jude’s Anglican Church (612 Valour Road, Winnipeg)
Manitoba Business: Langford and Birch
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 3170/1928, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Dr. Thurlow Fraser inducted to charge,” Manitoba Free Press, 31 December 1921, page 31.
“St. John’s Presbyterians invite Rev. John J. Cowan,” Manitoba Free Press, 22 October 1927, page 18.
“New St. John’s Presbyterian Church,” Manitoba Free Press, 27 October 1928, page 29.
“Presbyterians greet new workers from colleges in the East,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 April 1935, page 2.
“Charge is resigned by Rev. John Fleck,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 September 1939, page 3.
Obituary [Irene Marnoch], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 October 1996, page 41.
Obituary [Rev. Dr. James D. Marnoch], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 August 2000, page 33.
St. John’s Presbyterian Church (251 Bannerman Avenue), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, March 1989.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank George Penner, and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 4 October 2023
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