St. George’s Anglican Church: Preserving a Living Landmark

With nearly two centuries of history etched into its walls, St. George’s Anglican Church in St. Catharines stands as one of the oldest surviving Anglican churches in Ontario, still serving its original parish. It remains a living landmark—where the story of St. Catharines, and those who shaped it, still echoes today.  

Three sides of the church are currently wrapped in scaffolding as a million-dollar restoration unfolds behind protective netting. The work addresses serious water damage and years of deterioration to the exterior stucco, masonry, and historic woodwork of the building, which first opened for worship in July 1840. 

 “One of the pillars of our church community is outreach,” says Reverend Canon Tom Vaughan, co-rector of St. George’s Anglican Church, “and the walls that house our programs have been literally crumbling around us. This is the first major overhaul since a full renovation in 1972, and it’s needed now to protect the structure and preserve our place of worship and our ability to help others.” 

 Located in the heart of downtown St. Catharines, St. George’s is a welcoming church with a dedicated congregation that opens its arms to neighbours in need—a safe space where people know they can turn. The church is a lifeline for many downtown residents, serving thousands each year with hot meals, family support, youth programs, pastoral care, and a deep commitment to justice and community care. Its Community Breakfast Program, which has provided a hot, nourishing meal every single morning—uninterrupted—for 30 years, offers steadfast hospitality and dignity to those who need it most. 

 St. George’s is also known for bringing people together through music and cultural events. With its stunning 140-pipe organ, dating back to 1912, and its rich acoustics, it has become a space for artistic expression and gathering. The church has hosted concerts, recitals, and performances that build community through the universal language of music, and the choir of St. George’s plays a vibrant role in the city’s musical life, partnering regularly with musicians and choral performers from across Niagara and beyond. These musical offerings not only enrich the congregation but extend a cultural welcome to the broader region.  

By 2024, it became clear that gradual damage caused by time and weather could no longer be solved with patchwork repairs. After a diligent search, the church retained architectural consulting and heritage specialists ERA Architects Inc., and work began in January 2025. 

At the same time, St. George’s launched a fundraising campaign with a daunting goal of $450,000. The response has been extraordinary. As of this writing, nearly $340,000 has been raised—thanks to parishioner donations, corporate support, and growing community fundraising efforts. 

“At times it seemed like an insurmountable amount of money,” says Reverend Canon Martha Tatarnic, co-rector. “But every step of the way, we have seen a profound commitment to what this building makes possible, the history it represents and the faith that generations before have passed along to us today. With just over $100,000 remaining to be raised, we are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity that makes this possible.” 

“What we are restoring is not only stone and stucco,” Canon Tatarnic continues, “but the beating heart of a community. When I look out at the congregation, I don’t only see the people in the pews—I see the generations who once sat where they sit now. In safeguarding this place, we are preserving their faith and their gifts and ensuring that our doors remain open to all who seek help, hope, and belonging in the heart of our city.” 

To learn more about the restoration project, please visit https://stgeorgesanglican.ca