Intention to Designate 200 Main St E, Hamilton (First-Pilgrim United Church)

Description of Property

The 0.14-hectare property municipally addressed as 200 Main Street East is comprised of a two-storey buff brick building constructed in 1913, known as the First-Pilgrim United Church. The property is located on the south side of Main Street East, between Ferguson Avenue South and Spring Street, in Corktown Neighbourhood, in the City of Hamilton.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

The 1913 two-storey brick structure located at 200 Main Street East has design value as a rare and representative example of the Beaux Arts architectural style as applied to a place of worship in Hamilton. The physical value of the property also lies in the high degree of craftsmanship demonstrated through its monumental scale, carved stone decorations and eclectic classical elements, including composite order columns, palmette acroterion and Roman latticework windows.

The historical value of the property lies in its association with the historic First-Pilgrim United Church which has had a presence in Hamilton since 1835. Started by a small group of Congregationalists, this church has grown and adapted to the changing needs of its members. It is also associated with prominent Hamilton architect Stewart McPhie (1874-1934), who designed several other Hamilton churches, including the Stanley Avenue Baptist Church, MacNab Street Presbyterian Church, and the First Church of Christ Scientist.

Contextually, this property helps support the historic character of the Corktown Neighborhood and is historically linked to its surroundings, being on its original location along the historic transportation corridor of Main Street East. As a large, distinctive, and highly visible structure set close to public right-of-way, this property is considered a local landmark.

Key attributes that embody the physical value of the property as a representative example of the Beaux Arts style, as a rare example of a place of worship in this style in Hamilton, in displaying a high degree of craftsmanship and its association with the historic First-Pilgrim United Church and architect Stewart McPhie, include:

• The front (north) and side (east and west) elevations and roofline of the two-storey brick 1913 building, including its:
  • Buff brick laid in stretcher bond;
  • Brick parapet with a projecting moulded cornice with brick frieze and plain stone architrave below;
  • Symmetrical front façade with its:
    • Plain triangular pediment with stone moulding and cornice, topped by carved stone palmette acroterion at the peak and corners;
    • Plain frieze and cornice under pediment supported by six composite order stone columns and two Corinthian order fluted pilasters;
    • Central entranced flanked by smaller secondary entrances with carved stone surrounds;
    • Moulded stone surround on the central entrance with oval decorations flanked by ornate carved brackets supporting cornice;
    • Roman latticework windows in transoms and windows; and,
    • Original date stone reading “AD 1912” and rededication date stone reading “1984”.
• Side elevations with:
  • Recessed window bays with dentils; and,
  • Square brick pilasters separating the window bays.

Key attributes that embody the contextual value of the property as a local landmark include its:

• Location fronting onto Main Street East with a minimal setback from the public right-of-way.