The Inflammable Dominion

On February 4, 1961, the elder statesman of Ottawa’s United Church community was destroyed by fire. The fire, reputedly the result of an unfortunate meeting between an electric heater and stacks of dry paper, resulted in $500,000 in damage. When it became clear that Ottawa’s developers were not interested in blending the ecclesiastical with the commercial (as they would later be with St. Andrew’s), Dominion United’s congregation and the nearby Chalmers voted to merge. If you’re attending the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, this should ring a bell.

Continue reading The Inflammable Dominion

On February 4, 1961, the elder statesman of Ottawa’s United Church community was destroyed by fire. The fire, reputedly the result of an unfortunate meeting between an electric heater and stacks of dry paper, resulted in $500,000 in damage. When it became clear that Ottawa’s developers were not interested in blending the ecclesiastical with the commercial (as they would later be with St. Andrew’s), Dominion United’s congregation and the nearby Chalmers voted to merge. If you’re attending the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, this should ring a bell.

Continue reading The Inflammable Dominion

Brief: Kitchissippi United Church

Kitchissippi (formerly Kingsway) United Church. April 2014.
Kitchissippi (formerly Kingsway) United Church. April 2014.

1967-10-23-Picture-Page-38Now Kitchissippi United, this midcentury church began life as the Kingsway United Church. The congregation, which was mostly comprised of Parkdale United members, kicked off a fundraising campaign in November 1947. Fresh from his securing the runner-up slot in housing design competition in Atlanta, Ottawa architect Watson Balharrie was retained for the design.

The sod turning ceremony took place in July of 1948. Balharrie is pictured to the left. Source: Ottawa Journal, July 3, 1948.
The sod turning ceremony took place in July of 1948. Balharrie is pictured to the left. Source: Ottawa Journal, July 3, 1948.

A 1977 profile of Kingsway United. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 14, 1977.
A 1977 profile of Kingsway United. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 14, 1977.