The Diocese of Huron opposes a city staff proposal to grant heritage protection to a church in London’s Orchard Park area, expressing concerns that such designation could excessively limit future development possibilities for the property. According to a staff report, the Church of the Transfiguration at 33 Bromleigh Ave. fulfills five out of the nine heritage criteria set by the province, with a minimum of two needed for consideration. Constructed in 1962, the church was designed in the Mid-century modern style by architect Philip Carter Johnson, known for his work on landmarks like London’s City Hall and Centennial Hall.
The church features modernist design elements such as a stone facade on the east and west walls with small square colored glass windows that provide a gentle illumination inside the church nave. Additionally, the church boasts distinctive paired tile mosaic entry doors, each crafted with 6,000 tile pieces depicting biblical scenes. Despite these unique features, the Anglican Diocese of Huron, through Jacqueline Davison, its acting secretary treasurer, opposes the heritage designation. Davison argues that alterations over time, including the addition of metal siding, have diminished the building’s architectural significance. She also highlights concerns that heritage designation could escalate maintenance costs and hinder future development plans.
Davison emphasized that the removal of the mosaic doors and the existence of other buildings by the same architect diminish the church’s uniqueness. Although there are no immediate redevelopment plans for the property, which currently hosts an active congregation and a daycare, the diocese aims to maintain flexibility and avoid constraints imposed by heritage regulations. Davison pointed out that buildings with heritage designations typically attract less interest in request for proposal processes.
The Church of the Transfiguration is among approximately 2,000 city structures recognized for their heritage value but are at risk of missing the deadline for full heritage designation due to provincial legislation. The legislation mandates municipalities to remove non-designated properties from their heritage list by January 1, 2027. City staff have proposed 13 properties, including the Church of the Transfiguration, for heritage designation consideration before the deadline. Following January 1, there will be a five-year moratorium on adding non-designated properties to the heritage registry.
Former church warden Paul Webb, who advocated for heritage protection, emphasized the church’s uniqueness and the importance of preserving it to prevent unsuitable redevelopment that could disrupt the surrounding residential area. Webb highlighted the church’s significance within the local community and urged the preservation of its heritage status. The decision on the church’s heritage designation has been deferred to the December 1 council meeting, allowing for further discussions with the property owner beyond the upcoming municipal elections on October 26.