JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report

The construction of the Côte St. Charles United Church in St. Lazare is advancing steadily and is expected to be fully completed by October, according to the congregation’s minister Kent Chown.

“We’re extremely happy with the way construction is proceeding at this point,” Chown told The 1019 Report.

The building’s exterior envelope has been completed. The next step will be installing an elevator extension to make the upper sanctuary and lower hall and washrooms “completely accessible” to church-goers with limited mobility, said Chown.

 “It used to be that you had to go up two or three stairs to get to the washrooms and it was really not designed to be accessible at the time at all.” This installation is expected to happen within the coming weeks.

The church’s metal roofing is expected to be installed by August. Stain-glass windows that were removed from the old church will also be installed in the new structure.

Chown is pleased with the progress of the work.

“Even though the drywall’s not there yet, the sanctuary already looks beautiful,” he said. “We’re looking forward towards being able to take possession of the building.”

The construction of the new church, located at 2503 Côte St. Charles, began almost two years ago, in  November 2023, following the sale in 2020 of the congregation’s other facility, Wyman Memorial United Church in Hudson. The plan was to expand the church on Côte St. Charles to accommodate all members at this location.

The construction process began with a slight hitch, however. Most of the existing structure, originally built in the early 1900s, was demolished without the proper permit. It was what Chown said was a mistake he chalked up to a “miscommunication” between the church and the city.

“The town was not expecting as much of the building to be removed as was removed,” Chown had explained back in February 2024.

The stone façade at the building’s entrance was preserved and is being incorporated into the new structure. It had been originally estimated that the construction of the new building would be completed by May 2024.

Chown added that the issue, which put reconstruction on hold for about 18 months, has been completely resolved; all necessary materials were submitted to the city and all permits needed for construction have been obtained.