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Online Heritage Inventory

Steveston Methodist Church

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of Steveston Methodist Church
Click to see full image
Type of Resource: Building
Common Name: Steveston Bike Shop, Steveston United Church
Address: 3711 Chatham Street
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Steveston
Construction Date: 1894
Current Owner: Private
Designated: No

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
The Steveston Methodist Church is situated on a prominent corner lot on Chatham Street, creating a landmark at the end of Second Avenue. The building is T-shaped with a front gable facing the street and a side gable behind. It has a steeple and an entry porch with a gable roof.

 Statement of Values
The primary heritage value of the Steveston Methodist Church is its historical association, as a church building, with the Methodist Indian Mission. Formed in 1894, the Mission was deeply committed to its work among First Nations peoples in the Steveston community. It is also historically connected to the United Church through the union of several church groups in 1925.
The Steveston Methodist Church building is the oldest extant church building on its original site in Richmond. Its architectural style reflects the modest early church structures which serviced the populations of Steveston, particularly those working in the canning and fishing industries.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· Its architectural style that reflects its original use as a church, including its T-shaped plan, front gable roof and façade, arched windows, steeple, and gable-roofed entry porch
· Its symbolic connection to the First Nations populations of Steveston, and later to the United Church congregation.

 History
The Steveston Methodist Church is situated on a prominent corner lot on Chatham Street, creating a landmark at the end of Second Avenue. The building is T-shaped with a front gable facing the street and a side gable behind. It has a steeple and an entry porch with a gable roof.

 Architectural Significance
Architectural Style
T-Shaped Church Architecture

 Building Type
Church - Methodist

 Design Features
The church is constructed of wood and assumed to have a post on concrete foundation. The exterior cladding was originally horizontal wood drop-siding which has had stucco applied sometime between 1953 and 1964. The roof is a combination of front gable with a cross gable at the rear, and the covering is asphalt shingle. Early photographs show rectangular sash windows and a front elevation oculus. The windows have been replaced and trimmed with rounded or slightly gothic arches, or have been boarded over; the oculus is covered by a commercial sign. There is a central bell tower and a central gable entry porch with wooden stairs and handrails.

 Landscape Significance
Landscape Element
A row of poplar trees planted along Chatham Street by Herbert Steves was removed in 1944. Mature coniferous trees planted along Second Avenue are ivy covered and appear to be deteriorating.

 Integrity
Alterations
There have been many interior and exterior alterations to the building. The interior has been altered to sustain the current use as a bicycle store. The exterior has had stucco applied, windows removed or boarded up, and the front porch and the bell tower have been closed in with wood and stucco. Earlier notes indicate that the original stained glass windows were removed and installed in a new Methodist church.

 Original Location
Yes

 Condition
The overall condition seems good taking into account the many alterations to the building.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Denise Cook BLA, PBD (Public History)

 Date
Sunday, September 24, 2000

 Documentation
Inventory Sheets by Foundation Group Designs, January 1990
“Heritage Inventory Phase II” by Foundation Group Designs May 1989

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