HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2026-087 - Notice of Intention to Designate 85 Strange Street
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: March 3, 2026
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals,
519-783-8922
PREPARED BY: Victoria Grohn, Heritage Planner, 519-783-8912
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: February 9, 2026
REPORT NO.: DSD-2026-087
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 85 Strange Street under Part IV of
the Ontario Heritage Act
RECOMMENDATION:
That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to
publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 85
Strange Street as being of cultural heritage value or interest.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to request that Council direct the Clerk to publish a Notice
of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 85 Strange Street
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The key finding of this report is that property municipally addressed as 85 Strange
Street meets the criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by
Ontario Regulation 569/22) and has been confirmed to be a significant cultural
heritage resource. This property is recognized for its design/physical,
historical/associative, and contextual values.
There are no financial implications with this recommendation.
Community engagement included informing residents by posting this report with the
agenda in advance of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting, providing written
correspondence to the property owner, and consulting with Heritage Kitchener. In
addition, should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice
will be served to the Owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust.
This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
85 Strange Street consists of two structures, which were once individual buildings, but are
now connected: the 1937 main church building and the 1948 rectory building. Both
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buildings were constructed in the 20 century in the Neo-Gothic architectural style. The
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buildings are situated on a 0.88 acre parcel of land located on the west side of Strange
Street between Dominion Street and Waverly Road in the Cherry Hill Planning Community
within the City of Kitchener.
Figure 1: Location Map
A full assessment of 85 Strange Street has been completed and included a field evaluation
and detailed archival research. The findings concluded that the subject property meets the
criteria for designation. An updated Statement of Significance on the prope
heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on October 7, 2025. On this
meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario
Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of the Church be recognized and
designation pursued. This work was undertaken as part of the City of Kitchener Municipal
Heritage Register (MHR) Review, initiated in February of 2023. The MHR Review is the
ced in January of 2023
through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. The City contacted owners of the listed
properties through an initial letter dated May 23, 2023 to inform them of this undertaking.
The property owners were contacted via a second letter dated November 21, 2025. This
letter was accompanied by the updated Stat
h any comments, questions, or
concerns.
Per standard procedure, should Council support the Notice of Intention to Designate
(NOID), the property owner will be contacted through
NOID. Once the letter is served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and
the newspaper ad is posted, there will be a 30-day appeal period in which the property
owner may object to the designation.
REPORT:
Identifying and protecting cultural heritage resources within the City of Kitchener is an
important part of planning for the future, and helping to guide change while conserving the
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buildings, structures, and landscapes that give the City of Kitchener its unique identity. The
City plays a critical role in the conservation of cultural heritage resources. The designation
of property under the Ontario Heritage Act is the main tool to provide long-term protection
of cultural heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the
importance of a property to the local community
value; encourages good stewardship and conservation; and promotes knowledge and
understanding about the property. Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes
awareness, but it also provides a process for ensuring that changes to a property are
value and interest.
Figure 2: Front Façade
85 Strange Street is recognized for its design/physical, historic/associative, and contextual
values. It satisfies four (4) of the nine (9) criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation
9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). A summary of the criteria that is met or not
met is summarized in the table below.
Criteria Criteria Met
(Yes/No)
1. The property has design value or physical value because it is a Yes
rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type,
material, or construction method.
2. The property has design value or physical value because it No
displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit.
3. The property has design or physical value because it No
demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific
achievement.
4. The property has historical value or associative value because it Yes
has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person,
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activity, organization or institution that is significant to a
community.
5. The property has historical or associative value because it No
yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes
to an understanding of a community or culture.
6. The property has historical value or associative value because it No
demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist,
builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community.
7. The property has contextual value because it is important in Yes
defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area.
8. The property has contextual value because it is physically, Yes
functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings.
9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. No
Design/Physical Value
The property municipally addressed as 85 Strange Street demonstrates design/physical
value through its Neo-Gothic architectural style. The 1937 main church building and the
1948 rectory building are in good condition with many intact original elements. The church
building features: a rectangular plan; red brick construction; one large gothic arch window
per bay; buttressing between bays; wood front entrance door with concrete gothic arch
door surround; large gothic arch stained glass window above front entrance door; two
small octagonal steeples with bells flank the front façade; and, decorative concrete details.
The rectory building features: a square plan; hip roof with dormers; red brick construction;
front entrance concrete pediment with cross and inscri
wood paneled door with sidelights; and, hung windows with concrete surrounds. These
features are representative of the Neo-Gothic architectural style.
Historic/Associative Value
The historic and associative values relate to the original and continued use of the building
as a church. The building was constructed as a result of growth in the City in 1937. The
church is associated with the adjacent proper
School) and the church
while the new church was being constructed. Though the superstructure of the church was
unfinished, the cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1937 by Reverand W. Beninger, C.R.,
and dedicated by Reverand Joseph Ryan on February 20, 1938.
Contextual Value
The building at 85 Strange Street is in its original location and has continued to serve as a
church since its construction. The property is physically, functionally, visually, and
historically linked to its surroundings, particularly as
Catholic School. Both buildings were constructed around the same time and have served
the community since their construction.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 85 Strange Street resides in the following heritage attributes:
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All elements related to the construction and Neo-Gothic architectural style of the
Church building, including:
o
o a rectangular plan;
o red brick construction;
o roof and roofline;
o windows and window openings, including:
one large gothic arch window per bay;
large gothic arch stained glass window above front entrance door;
Appearance of the 3-over-3 square hung windows.
o buttressing between bays;
o door openings, including:
wood front entrance door with concrete gothic arch door surround;
o two small octagonal steeples with bells flank the front façade;
o Horizontal concrete banding; and
o Decorative concrete quatrefoil motifs; and
o Any other decorative concrete details.
All elements related to the construction and Neo-Gothic architectural style of the
Rectory building, including:
o a square plan;
o roof and roofline, including:
hip roof with dormers;
o red brick construction;
o front entrance concrete pediment with
o doors and door openings, including:
wood paneled door with sidelights; and,
o window openings, including:
hung windows with concrete surrounds.
All elements related to the contextual value of the buildings, including:
o
o
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting.
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CONSULT Heritage Planning staff have consulted with the Heritage Kitchener committee
regarding designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. Property owners were invited to
consult via two separate letters dated May 23, 2023 and November 21, 2025.
Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal
Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) before giving notice of its intention to designate a
property. Heritage Kitchener will be consulted via circulation and consideration of this
report (see INFORM above). Members of the community will be informed via circulation of
this report to Heritage Kitchener and via formal consideration by Council. In addition,
should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be
served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local
newspaper (The Record). Once notice has been served, the owner has the right of appeal
to the Ontario Land Tribunal. It should be noted that should Council decide not to proceed
Heritage Register until January 1, 2027, after which it will be removed according to the
changes enacted by Bill 23. Once removed, it cannot re-listed on the Register again for
five (5) years, i.e. January 1, 2032.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
Ontario Heritage Act, 2022
Municipal Heritage Register Review October 2025 Update DSD-2025-357
REVIEWED BY: Sandro Bassanese, Manager of Site Plan
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Updated Statement of Significance
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STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
85 Strange Street
Summary of Significance
Social Value
Design/Physical Value
Economic Value
Historical Value
Contextual Value
Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 85 Strange Street
Legal Description: Plan 375 Lot 1 Part Lot 493
Year Built: 1937 (Church) & 1948 (Rectory)
Architectural Styles: Neo-Gothic
Original Owner:
Original Use: Institutional
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
85 Strange Street consists of two buildings, which were once individual buildings but are now
th
connected: the 1937 Church and the 1948 Rectory. Both buildings were built in the 20 century in the
Neo-Gothic architectural style. The buildings are situated on a 0.88 acre parcel of land located on the
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west side of Strange Street between Dominion Street and Waverly Road in the Cherry Hill Planning
Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resources that
contributes to the heritage value are the institutional buildings.
Heritage Value
85 Strange Street is recognized for its design/physical, historic/associative, and contextual values.
Design/Physical Value
The design and physical values relate to the Neo-Gothic architectural style that is in good condition
with many intact original elements. The Church building features: a rectangular plan; red brick
construction; one large gothic arch window per bay; buttressing between bays; wood front entrance
door with concrete gothic arch door surround; large gothic arch stained glass window above front
entrance door; two small octagonal steeples with bells flank the front façade; and, decorative concrete
details. The Rectory building features: a square plan; hip roof with dormers; red brick construction; front
entrance concrete pediment with cross and inscript
with sidelights; and, hung windows with concrete surrounds.
Main Church
The main church building is of red brick construction,and features a steep gable roof with a
rectangular plan. On the front façade, two small octagonal steeples flank each side of the façade, with
a large central gothic arched stained glass window. Below the centrally located gothic arched stained
glass window is a projecting central entrance with concrete door surround. There are two small gothic
arched stained glass windows on each side of the central door with decorative concrete surrounds.
There is also a large, mounted cross above the main entrance mounted on a concrete parapet.
Decorative details include horizontal concrete banding that extends throughout the façade.
The side elevations have seven (7) buttresses, dividing the elevations into 6 bays, with a projecting
side entrance on each façade. The projecting entrance has decorative concrete banding that extends
from the main façade, and two concrete quatrefoil motifs. There is a single arched gothic window with
horizontal concrete banding on the upper levels. Each bay of these elevations include long arched
gothic stained glass windows with brick lintels. The concrete foundation is visible with a pair of square
3-over-3 windows on the lower level. Towards the rear of the façades, there is another projecting area
with a flat roof. The rear façade of the church has hexagonal in massing with a small gothic arched
window on each side a chimney.
The Rectory Building
The Rectory was built in the Neo-Gothic architectural style and is 2.5 storeys in height, and is of red
brick construction. It includes a central projecting gable entrance made of concrete, with a cross
carved in the gable end. There are paired 3-over-3 hung windows on each side of the entrance, as
well as on the upper floor, with decorative concrete surround. There appears to be a small dormer on
each elevation of the residence. The building also appears to have a single-storey addition with a flat
roof and four (4) single pane windows that connects it to the main church. The side elevations of the
building include paired 3-over-3 hung windows with decorative concrete surround and a bay window
on one of the side elevations. The rear elevation of the building includes a garage attached to the
main building with a steep gable roof pitch and square windows.
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Historical Value
The historic and associative values relate to the original and continued use of the building as church.
of the City in 1937. The parish of approximately 220 families living within the boundaries of Highland
Road, Victoria park, and Waterloo, and King Street was formed in May 1937, by the late Most Rev. J.
T. NcNally. Father William F. Gleason was the first pastor of the church. He had come from the Church
of Our Lady in Guelph, and he held this position until he died in 1965.
basement for Sunday mass until
February 1938, while the new church was being constructed. Even though the superstructure of the
church was unfinished, the cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1937 by Reverend W. Beninger, C.R.,
and dedicated by Reverend Joseph Ryan on February 20, 1938. The basement of the school was used
until February, 1938. The finishing touches on the church were complete in 1953, transforming the
interior of the church from a plain concrete-block structure into a complete church. The start and
completion of the construction of church was done under Father Gleason.
Father Gleason was also responsible for constructing the rectory on the property. He rented a house
which served as a temporary rectory, and then moved into the present building in May 1948, when it
was constructed.
Contextual Value
85 Strange Street has contextual value because it is physically, functionally, visually and historically
School. These buildings were built around the same time, and have served the same communities
since their construction. Due to this, the buildings maintain a relationship to each other.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 85 Strange Street resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Neo-Gothic architectural style of the Church building,
including:
o
o a rectangular plan;
o red brick construction;
o roof and roofline;
o windows and window openings, including:
one large gothic arch window per bay;
large gothic arch stained glass window above front entrance door;
Appearance of the 3-over-3 square hung windows.
o buttressing between bays;
o door openings, including:
wood front entrance door with concrete gothic arch door surround;
o two small octagonal steeples with bells flank the front façade;
o Horizontal concrete banding; and
o Decorative concrete quatrefoil motifs; and
o Any other decorative concrete details.
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All elements related to the construction and Neo-Gothic architectural style of the Rectory building,
including:
o a square plan;
o roof and roofline, including:
hip roof with dormers;
o red brick construction;
o
o doors and door openings, including:
wood paneled door with sidelights; and,
o window openings, including:
hung windows with concrete surrounds.
All elements related to the contextual value of the buildings, including:
o
o
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Photos
85 Strange Street
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85 Strange Street
Deeksha Choudhry
85 Strange Street
Institutional
July 1, 2025
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