The city is moving forward with a plan to designate the former St. Patrick's School on Beverly Street as the property owners prepare to transform the neighbouring space into townhomes.
The three-storey school with a red brick façade and concrete foundation was built in 1938, along with two later additions in 1950 and 1970.
It meets four of nine criteria for heritage designation according to the city's senior heritage planners and is considered a prominent example of Edwardian and Classical Revival architectural styles.
Those styles are characterized by its brick construction, segmented window arches, decorative banding, and flat roofline with parapet.
Originally named St. Mary’s School, the building was renamed St. Patrick’s School in 1954 to reflect its connection to St. Patrick’s Church.
Staff contend the property is directly associated with the development of Catholic education in Galt, particularly the work of Reverend Emmet Doyle and the Sisters of Notre Dame. It reflects the broader history of Catholic community growth in Cambridge.
The property is "deeply intertwined with the history of St. Patrick’s Parish, which was established in 1851 by Father John Holzer S.J., a visiting missionary priest," the staff report reads.
Initially the small Catholic community in Galt celebrated mass in private homes, the Cooper Shop on Parkhill Drive, and the upstairs of the firehall on Water Street South. Father Holzer’s efforts to establish a dedicated church culminated in the construction of a small wooden church on Wellington Street in 1860.
"This church laid the foundation for a vibrant Catholic community in Galt, with St. Patrick’s Parish serving as its focal point. 061 By the early 20th century, the parish had grown significantly under the leadership pf Reverend Emmett Doyle, later Monsignor Doyle, who served from 1914 to 1967."
"His tenure marked a period of substantial growth for both the parish and Catholic education in Galt. In 1920, Reverend Emmet Doyle arranged for the Sisters of Notre Dame to take over teaching in the Galt Separate Schools."
"The School was originally founded by Rev. Emmett Doyle and the Board of Trustees of the Roman Catholic Separate Schools of City of Galt. Emmet Doyle was the Reverend of St. Patrick’s Parish and agent on behalf of the Roman Catholic Episcopal of the Diocese of Hamilton."
After serving the Catholic community for decades, the school closed in 2010 and has since been repurposed as the Ontario Muslim Academy.
The owners applied for a zone change and official plan amendment for 82 and 88 Beverly St. to build 46 stacked townhomes.
Greentown Developments, referred to in the application as Beverly Street Towns Limited Partnership, is proposing to retain the private school and re-use a portion of the property to build two stacked townhouse buildings with surface parking accessed from Beverly Street.
If supported by the city's municipal heritage advisory committee next week, the plan to designate would move on to council for approval.
