Friends of Third Avenue United: Church to be First in Canada

Third Avenue Centre is thrilled to announce that Third Avenue United Church will be the first Canadian building digitally archived in the CyArk world heritage database. This is made possible by a partnership between Stantec, Tourism Saskatoon, CyArk and Third Avenue Centre.

Third Avenue United Church will be among 100 major world historical landmarks already archived by CyArk, an international non-profit organization dedicated to digitally preserving the world’s cultural heritage sites, the most recent addition being the Sydney Opera House. Other CyArk preserved sites include Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the RMS Titanic, and Mount Rushmore. CyArk projects the Saskatoon building will receive 100,000 web hits per year from cultural heritage fans around the world.

The inclusion of the Third Avenue United Church building in CyArk’s online archive is an incredible way to showcase the best of Saskatoon architecture and culture to the international community. In addition, it provides a way to preserve an exact 3D digital record of the building for years to come should anything ever happen to the building.

“This is why we support the concept of Third Avenue being owned and operated by a Saskatoon-based not-for-profit organization, namely Third Avenue Centre,” said Todd Brandt, President and CEO of Tourism Saskatoon. “It is vitally important that we secure the future of this building as a landmark performance hall in Saskatoon and as a significant tourist attraction in our community and province.”

CyArk has been featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine and boasts partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the World Monuments Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. National Science Foundation, and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. CyArk is also partnered with educational institutions including Columbia University, Stanford University and the University of Florence, as well as media properties Google, PBS, and Wired magazine.

We are honoured by the support we have received from Stantec and Tourism Saskatoon. We hope to convince the congregation that we are the best bidder in the RFP and we think support like this really helps make our case.

Interesting Facts

The massive hand painted stained glass windows are 8.2 meters wide at the base and 6.7 at the top. They are considered among the largest art installations in the province.

It would cost approximately $39 million to recreate the Church's stonework at today's market rate of $185 per square foot.

The church is based on an English Gothic design of solid stone construction. In 1913 it was described as "one of the most architecturally beautiful edifices in Canada".

Nearby Knox United church has already been heritage designated.

Third Avenue Church has the largest sanctuary (open space) of any United Church on the prairies and the third largest in the country.

A realtor offered the congregation $1.5 million for the church, justifying the low price by the high cost of demolition.

A copper time capsule is buried in the cornerstone of the church, which was laid by the city of Saskatoon's first mayor, James Clinkskill, and by Walter Murray, the first U of S president. Dr. Murray is quoted as calling the building “The first permanent home of religion in Saskatoon.”

Musicians insist the building has the best acoustics in Saskatoon. Renowned international pianist Jan Lisiecki said the acoustics in the church were better than the Salle Pleyel in Paris.

1100 people were seated at the last Jan Lisiecki concert.

U of S convocation ceremonies were held at Third Avenue United Church from 1931 to 1949.

The Church is already on the Holding Bylaw, which allows City Council to delay a demolition order for up to 60 days.

In the 1920's CFQC provided live broadcasts from the church, including organ recitals.

The large Casavant pipe organ cost $10,000 in 1912 and is in great condition today.

Originally the building was lit by hammered brass chandeliers, or "electroliers" as they were called by ThePhoenix, due to the novelty of electric lighting at the time.

The base and foundation are made of native limestone, processed within five miles of the city. Both appear to be in good condition. The stonework exterior walls are softly tinted buff Tyndall stone shipped from Winnipeg.

5 Ways You Can Help

1. Come enjoy the performances, and bring lots of friends. Click here for event listings.Email this website to everyone in your contact list who might be interested.

2. Donate money to Third Avenue Centre. Cheques should be written to "Third Avenue Centre" and should be mailed to their attention at the Third Avenue United Church, 304 3rd Avenue North.

3. If you know anyone who might need to book space in the Church for a performance or event please ask them to contact Third Avenue Centre for rates.

4. Help us find partners who can contribute to Concert Hall revenue as long term future users of the performance space.

5. Share this site on Facebook by clicking at top left of this page.

Friends of Third Avenue United

Church to be First in Canada

Stained Glass

Followers

Unique Ceiling