In a story repeated in many communities across Canada changing urban landscapes make history difficult to afford. It is far easier to seed a new Christian community than to breathe life into a community saddled with historic buildings no longer meeting the needs of the communities surrounding them. Wiring and plumbing (if it exists) no longer meet code. Cement holding rubble walls together needs repair and slate roofs are impossibly expensive. Leaded windows bend and warp.
In their search for a solution to the problem of aging and dated buildings the current congregation of Holy Trinity Cathedral have walked down many paths. Most, including finding heritage funding sources from the Federal and Provincial budgets, have led to dead ends. The only money available federally needed to relate to the war of 1812 (see above for the foundation date)! The only avenue municipalities have available to help preserve significant historic buildings is the use of a Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA). Such an agreement allows for increased density on a site in exchange for preserving key elements in the historic building (usually the exterior). The resulting increase in value of the land on which the building sits can then be sold. Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver sold their density as air space to be added to another downtown development. Holy Trinity Cathedral plans to develop the land next to the historic Cathedral as a condominium tower with community space and parking at the base. The property is located next door to a Sky Train Station in the urban core of New Westminster.
Working with the Diocese in 2009 the HTC congregation began exploring the possibility of using an HRA to enable the future of the Christian community in the downtown of New Westminster. An architect was employed to help identify the size and shape of structure needed to both preserve the Church and supply parking and community space. Terra Housing Consultants joined the team in 2011 to help the parish with the complex process from vision through construction and occupancy. While the process is far from complete Holy Trinity Cathedral offers a model designed to help the historic Anglican Church transition successfully in the midst of a rapidly changing urban landscape. This year the parish is applying to the City of New Westminster for a development permit. If all goes well new construction will begin by 2016 with an occupancy date two years after the start. As communities change, so must the Church. Failure to engage the transforming neighbourhoods where we worship leads away from the Gospel call to hope and joy.
Images: Top and Bottom, Architects drawings of two different views of the how the proposed development will appear upon completion