Heritage committee eyes designation

While the church building and organ are impressive, said Nathan Etherington, chairman of Brantford’s heritage committee, it is the hand-painted murals that make it extraordinary.

“The murals are more valuable than the building,” said Etherington. “The murals are not in a good state but they’re not gone yet.”

Etherington said there is still hope the murals can be properly restored. He is planning to call a special meeting to make a second attempt to have the building designated and protected under the Ontario Heritage Act.

For 20 years, the church had a federal designation declaring it as having national architectural significance, but that provided the building no protection.

Last year, the heritage committee attempted to have the church designated under Ontario law, but the diocese wasn’t in favour. City council ultimately decided against it.

“The mural work is unique,” said Etherington. “It is famous all over Canada. Sometimes it’s hard to put value on cultural assets. People tend to under-value them.”