One of Windsor’s more recently designated buildings, the Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ, at 795 McDougall, has been immediately closed, and deemed unsafe.
The sign out front, directs members to alternate places of worship. I may have missed any mention of it in the Windsor Star, but CBC news covered it 2.5 weeks ago.
The brick building at Elliott and McDougall was built in 1939, and designed by Windsor architect J.P. Tompson.
From the 2004 Designation Report, here are some points about the church:
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Historical:
· Mr. Zion Church was established by Bishop Clarence Morton Sr. (1897-1962), an
internationally renowned preacher and founder of the Canadian and International
Churches of God in Christ in the Windsor/Detroit region. While he was the leader of
six churches in the United States, here in Canada he was instrumental in the
establishment of five churches in Windsor, Chatham, Harrow, Buxton and
Amherstburg. Bishop Morton was also famous for his radio ministry. Services were
broadcast live on CKLW radio for thirty years.
· The Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ, built in 1939, is the oldest Canadian Church
of God in Christ – the largest Black Christian denomination in the world with
headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. The annual River Baptismal Service, hosted
by Mt. Zion Church, brought thousands to the City during the 1940s-1950s.
· Construction of the church was undertaken by members of the congregation who dug
out the foundation of the church with a team of horses
Architectural:
· The church is a modest, rectangular-shaped, eclectic Gothic-Revival style red brick
structure with gable-roof, designed by local architect J.P. Thompson.
· Architectural elements of note include: three storey tower with crowstep gable, mix
of window styles with some Gothic-shaped masonry-arched windows with pressedstone
key and voussoir stones and sills, diamond-paned beveled glass windows,
central entrance with Gothic-arched stained glass fanlight, entry steps flanked by a
flared brick wall.
· The front wall of the sanctuary originally had a black manger scene painted on it.
Hopefully the building is saved, as we all know, far too much of this city’s history has already been lost.
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Yikes. I sure hope they get the grant. Let’s hope snow piling up on the roof this winter doesn’t do her in.
Does anyone know why they had to close it immediately? I assume structural problems?
What’s the specific problem with the building?
Structural damage, the roof & wall aren’t doing so good.
A church with a long history in Windsor has been forced to close for safety reasons and the congregation is scambling to find money for repairs.
The Mount Zion Full Gospel Church on McDougall Street has been deemed unsafe. Designated a heritage site, building inspectors say the roof and part of a wall could collapse.
City councillor Ron Jones said church services have been forced to move elsewhere. “The north side of the building is in danger of caving in, it’s unsafe for people to congregate there,” said Jones.
The building was constructed in the late 1930’s and has a long history of serving Windsor’s black community.
The congregation needs between $100,000 and $150,000 to make the necessary repairs and because the church is designated a heritage site, the city’s heritage committee will be asked for a grant. Councillor Fulvio Valentinis believes the church will qualify but it will be next month before a request for funding is expected to be discussed. Any funding for repair would also have to be approved by all of city council, possibly early in the new year.