Re: Former St. Giles United Church to be sold after a decade of debate, August 1, 2026
In a twist of fate, friendsofstgiles.ca learned in Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Naan’s June 30 community update, that, the building we have been trying to save since it closed 11 years ago, is now listed on Realtor.ca for almost $3 million! A surprise to us all for sure, as there is not a sign on the building to indicate, as is the normal custom.
Taxpayers, you and I have paid for countless police checks, fire hazard calls, roof climbers, hydro issues, break-ins, cleanups from industrial dumping, and a squatter community tent group in the back alley for all this time.
If sold, the city will collect taxes for the first time ever. It appears New Vision United Church has need of more money to continue renovating its music hall, not for religion, and the previous grant of $900,000 from the city/taxpayers is not likely to be repeated.
So, they are finally giving up the ghost of St. Giles, and selling. Too bad it took so long, and is now in such a sorry state.
We can only hope our dream of an active and much needed community centre/satellite library/mixed and affordable income housing centre may still occur, with an adaptive reuse, incorporating the beautiful shell of this stately structure that did so much good for so many, for more than 100 years. Our neighbourhood has suffered with her decline for far too long.
Janet E. Long, Hamilton
Comment, The Hamilton Spectator. Saturday August 1 2026
Friends of St. Giles 