Description of Historic Place

The St. Laurence Anglican Church is a Municipal Historic Resource located on three lots at the corner of Regent Street and Alberta Avenue in the Hamlet of Monitor in Special Area Four. The property features a small, wood-framed church constructed in 1915.

Heritage Value

The St. Laurence Anglican Church is valued for its association with the settlement of the Hamlet of Monitor and the surrounding area. Constructed in 1915 for the Anglican parish, the church quickly became a nucleus for the growing community. The Methodist and Lutheran congregations periodically held services here as well. The building also served several secular functions: public school classes were taught here until a schoolhouse was built, a public library operated from the building and both the Boy Scouts and the Red Cross met here.

The St. Laurence Anglican Church is also valued for its historic use as an Anglican Church. The church has been home to the local Anglican parish for nearly a century. Several generations witnessed the baptisms, marriages and funerals of parishioners in this place. During both World Wars special services of intercession for victory were held here, and then following each war a service of thanksgiving was celebrated. The Honor Roll, unveiled at the Armistice service in 1921, is inscribed with the names of 318 local men who served in the Great War.

Source: Special Areas Board Order No. 11/09

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the St. Laurence Anglican Church resides in the following character-defining elements:

Those elements associated with the settlement of the area, such as:
- form and massing;
- lath and plaster walls;
- plank floors in the vestibule;
- original burlap wainscotting;
- open post and beam cedar ceiling;
- original floor and wall material;
- the Honor Roll naming First World War veterans from the area;
- the large interior space used for meetings;
- flag pole on top of the bell tower;
- orientation on its original lot.

Those elements associated with its use as an Anglican church, such as:
- bell tower with crenellated top, and pointed, arched louvered windows;
- original door with arched transom window above;
- three pointed, arched windows on the north and south sides;
- cross on the east end of the nave roof;
- small vestibule with library cupboard and coat hooks;
- double entrance doors to nave;
- hymn book shelves at the back of the nave, with a bench below;
- baptismal font of Bedford limestone;
- a framed copy of The Lord's Prayer on the west wall of the nave;
- 12 pews complete with kneelers and book racks;
- prayer desk and lectern;
- choir pews;
- communion rails;
- raised altar;
- panels inscribed with The Lord's Prayer and The Creed flanking the altar;
- original Sanctuary shelf;
- hymn board;
- intricate gold stenciling around three sides of the chancel;
- door to vestry from right side of the chancel;
- pointed, arched stained-glass window which depicts Christ as "The Light of the World" above the altar.