As most of my regular readers know, I have an upcoming photo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Windsor (Aug. 25 – Oct. 28/07) highlighting Modern Architecture in Windsor. I was out shooting the other day when I came across St. George’s in Walkerville. Located on the corner of Devonshire Court and Kildare Rd, right behind the Tim Horton’s on Ottawa, it’s one of those buildings that you could pass a hundred times and not even notice it was there.
It was built in 1955, by the local firm of Sheppard & Masson who also designed yesterday’s subject the Dr. C. Hoare residence on Willistead Crescent.
Near the front entrance, inset in the brick are these four tiles. I’m guess that must be St. George? If there are any parishioners that are readers, I’d love to know the story behind this tile.
Textbook Mid Century architecture in the clean lines around the multi-coloured glass panes. The architects of these 1950’s era churches sure made great use of coloured glass for illuminating the chapels, a skill that has seemed to be lost in every church designed since about 1970.
Thanks for taking these picitures Andrew an I’m looking forward to the show at the AGW. I’m glad somebody is documenting Modern Windsor — the city really does have some gems — and it’s the last great era of city building in Windsor, before “they” starting putting up a generation of crap, and tearing down the good stuff.
Is somebody writing anything to go along with the show?
Yes. The text is being written by Veronica Mogrody a professor at the Uinveristy of Windsor.
I’m just glad I’ll be able to document them before some of them are lost. Sadly as we saw with the guesthouse, it was old enought to be considered “old” but too young for many to be considered “historic”. I’m sure that in 20 years “they” will lament the loss of the Cleary Guest House.
Is there not an older church structure north of this church that is attached to or somehow connected with it, perhaps as an original church from before the 1955 building, as you look from the Tim Hortons side? Strange how one can pass these places so many times without paying close attention.
You may also like one day to slide by St. Barnabas on Tecumseh and Windermere. It too was built abt. 1955 and is sistered with the original church that is nestled beside it on the south side, which looks to be early ’20s.
Correction – I meant to say “south” of St. George – on the Ottawa st. side
Yes, the original smaller church is immediately east of St. George’s. I believe it is now in use as the church hall.
St. Barnabas is a neat one, I shot it a while back, and I was lucky enough to photograph the inside as well. I’ll post photos of it soon.
That tilework is delicious! It’s so nice to see these unexpected little gems. I’m a sucker for tile. Thanks Andrew. I’ve sat (in my car of course!) in the TH drive thru many times by the Church. It’s a nice little church in a nice location.
St. George, patron saint of England slayed? (slew?) killed a dragon.
Jane, without walking up to the front door, you would never have seen the tile. It was a very cool and unexpected find.
PS – I believe it is “slayed”.
The fences are up around St. George’s. I fear it won’t be too long before it’s gone forever.