Located at the corner of Park & Victoria in Downtown Windsor, St. Andrew’s was built in 1895.
Designed in the Romanesque Revival style which was all the style for the 1890’s, the building is a great example of the style of architecture. This entrance was originally open to the elements, much like a front porch.
According to Wikipedia:
The building bears two cornerstones. The first church was built on the corner of Park & Victoria in 1883. March 16, 1895, a fire broke out and burned that church to the ground. The present structure was erected in 1895 to replace that one.
The church took part in Doors Open back in 2004, sadly this is one of my only photos that turned out that day (sorry the old camera wasn’t the best…).
A post card of the church that was postmarked 1907. If you look, you can see the front entrance along Park Street without the windows and doors in the arches.
The building was designed by Detroit Architects Spier & Rohns. Above is a photo from the University of Michigan collection. See the full sized photo by clicking here.
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I know St. Andrew’s well, I was Christen there and my mom taught Sunday School. Have always and still do like the design of the church, especially the bell tower.
I forgot about that church… It’s strange how so many buildings and structures seemed to have caught fire and burned to the ground in the latter part of the 1800’s and early 1900’s. I wonder what the original church looked like.
Makes me want to become a Presbyterian.
Three generations of my family (mine being the last) attended St. Andrew’s. Rev. Lawson and Mr. Rose (the organist) were the leading personalities on staff during my time there (1956-72). As children, my sister and I would gather up the paper programs after the service every Sunday. That meant eventually climbing to the top of the balconies (on three sides) and looking way way down at the massive pipe organ. They had the same colour carpets back then. Thanks for the memories.
Hey- a general question… what’s the absolute oldest building still standing in Windsor?
The oldest building is the Duff-Baby house at mill & russell in Sandwich. It was built in 1798.
Tristan, during communion grape juice would be served in lieu of wine. Even for a kid of Scotch/Irish ancestry the parsimonious nature of the service was a bit much. Still want to be a Presbyterian?
LOL Ted. No, on second thought, that might not suit my lifestyle.
Ted, we as kids probably knew each other in the church during the time of 1956, 57, we moved from Windsor in 1958.
Deeerrrrrrr… of course it’s the Duff Baby house. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking! Any idea what the second oldest building still standing is??? LOL
Nevermind… John sent me a link to the Windsor Municipal Heritage Register!
Urbanrat, a recent first lady of Canada sat with her parents and brothers in the pew immediately behind us. I was born in late 52, so we would have crossed paths at Sunday school perhaps?
As a kid I used to walk by this Church often , either on the way to the old (Victoria) library , across the street , or on the way to St Alphonsis Church (1955 to 1964).
I LOVE this website !!!
I moved away from Windsor in 1972.
One of the first parishes to offer second language training to new immigrants.
I was married in this church by Rev Lawson. alas, the marriage fell but the church is still standing, My Dad used to sing in the choir back in the twenty and thirties as a young man. Lets hope this structure is safe for a long time