Inventory Updates: Trinity United Church

On December 11, 2020 the Heritage Calgary board approved the following site to be updated to the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources.

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Trinity United Church - 1401 10 AV SE (Inglewood) Year Built: 1912

Re-evaluated as a City Wide Historic Resource

It was the second and final home of the neighbourhood’s first and only Methodist congregation and, after the church union of 1925, this was the neighbourhood’s first and only United Church of Canada congregation. (Institution Value, Community Significance)

William Henry Cushing, a notable industrialist, politician, and community leader in the city, was a trustee, steward, and benefactor of this church. The stained glass windows were manufactured at Cushing’s planing mill, and he donated the majority of their cost. Cushing reportedly financed reconstruction costs after a 1921 fire. The congregation and building were briefly named Cushing Memorial United Church in memory of Cushing’s late wife and in gratitude for the Cushings’ support. (Person Value, City Wide Significance)

William Aberhart, an educator and lay preacher who later served as Alberta premier, led adult bible study classes in this church between 1913 and 1915. (Person Value, City Wide Significance)

The church building and its predecessor served as headquarters of the First Company of the Boys’ Brigade, an international uniformed movement for boys that originated in Scotland in 1883 and was extended to Canada in 1889. The church’s gymnasium was constructed for use by the Boys’ Brigade and the congregation’s Young Men’s Club. (Activity Value, Community Significance)

This building has style value as a good example of a Gothic Revival church in the city, in particular because of its very intact interior. (Style Value, Community Significance)

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