Description of Historic Place

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, also known as Building 12, is situated in the grounds of the religious precinct of Dawson City, and is part of the Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site of Canada. Built during a great period of expansion in Dawson City, it is a timber structure with a gabled and hipped-roof and features an asymmetrically positioned tower. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is closely associated with the development of Dawson City as a territorial capital and reflects the social and religious services provided to the growing community. St. Andrew’s Church and Manse are very good examples of structures that illustrate Dawson City’s rapid metamorphosis from a boisterous mining camp in 1897-1898, to a boomtown in 1898-1899, into a prosperous and respectable community by 1901. The church is also associated with Rev. Dr. Andrew S. Grant, a prominent figure in the early development of Dawson City and the Yukon Territory.

Architectural Value
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is a very good example of High Victorian Gothic architecture interpreted in wood. Rich detailing is evident in the nave’s stained-glass Gothic window, the pointed arches of the window, doorway, and tower ventilators, and also in the buttress panels of the tower with its bell cast roof. Good materials and craftsmanship are evident in the knowledgeable handling of timber frame construction techniques and in the stained glass window.

Environmental Value
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church reinforces the historic character of Dawson City and is a familiar landmark to residents and visitors.

Sources: St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 601 Fourth Avenue, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report notes 88-012; St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Government Reserve, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Heritage Character Statement 88-012.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church should be respected.

Its High Victorian Gothic style inspired design as evidenced in: the appearance of irregular massing due to the asymmetrical position of the tower; the timber frame construction, the use of shingles and clapboard on the exterior walls; the pyramidal, slightly bell-cast roof of the tower; the pointed arches of the doorway and tower ventilators, the buttress panels at the tower’s corners and diamond–shaped panes in the doors; the wide, open space of the main sanctuary effected by composite roof framing consisting of heavy principal rafters held in place by metal tie rods; the transepts and front alcove, and the stained-glass Gothic window in the nave.

The manner in which St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church reinforces the historic character of the religious precinct setting and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by: the distinctive design that maintains a visual and physical relationship between St. Andrew’s Manse, the religious precinct, and Fourth Avenue; its former function as a religious gathering place that makes it known to residents of Dawson City and to visitors.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was built in 1901 by Robert Moncrieff, an experienced contractor, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Andrew S. Grant, a prominent figure in Dawson's and the Yukon's early development, to designs by W.P. Skillings, architect. Northern climatic conditions have not been kind to the building as far as preservation is concerned. When Parks Canada acquired the building in 1977, ground upheavals had caused massive shifting and breakage of structural members. The building has been stabilized with interior and exterior bracing to prevent its collapse. The Environment Canada Parks Service is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 88-12.

Reason for Designation

St. Andrew's Church was designated Recognized because of its historical associations and its architectural significance.

The construction of St. Andrew's Church and Manse is associated with the development of Dawson as a territorial capital through the social and religious services to the community that they housed. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and Manse are among the best examples of structures that illustrate Dawson's rapid metamorphosis from a boisterous mining camp in the 1897-98 to a boom town of 1898-99 into a prosperous and respectable community by 1901.

The church is a late example of the High Victorian Gothic architecture interpreted in wood. Despite the building's deformation, good craftsmanship is evident in the knowledgeable handling of timber frame construction techniques and in the handling of materials.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of St. Andrew's Church resides in its exterior massing, its construction, material and craftsmanship, its original interior layout and material, and in its historical relationship to St. Andrew's Manse.

The nave, transepts and the chancel are clearly expressed in the massing of the church. The asymmetrical position of the tower gives an impression of irregular massing. The original proportions of the exterior form of the building should be maintained.

A variety of exterior details such as the combined use of shingles and clapboard, the tower capped by a pyramidal slightly bell-cast roof, the nave's stained-glass Gothic window, the pointed arches of the doorway and tower ventilators, the buttress panels at the tower's corners, and the diamond-shaped panes in the doors, are characteristic of the High Victorian spirit and these elements should be preserved in planned improvements.

A use for the building would justify a restoration and/or rehabilitation. Only uses such as a religious gathering place, community hall or a theater, which would respect the interior layout should be considered. The wide open space of the main sanctuary made possible by the use of composite roof framing consisting of heavy principal rafters held in place by metal tie rods, with transepts and a front alcove speaks evocatively of the building's history. Every opportunity should be taken to protect and enhance this space and surviving interior finishes such as the pressed metal paneling, wainscoting, and moldings.

The grounds of the religious precinct should be landscaped to reinforce the original relationship of the Church to the Manse. This work should be done in consultation with a conservation landscape architect.