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In the matter of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O. 18, as amended, and in the matter of the lands and premises at the following municipal address in the Province of Ontario.

Notice of Intention to Designate

Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton intends to designate the property at the following municipal address as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O. 18, as amended.

Municipal Address: 170 Main Street East, Milton, Regional Municipality of Halton

Reasons for the Proposed Designation

Description of Property

Knox Presbyterian Church, located at 170 Main St E in Milton, Ontario, is a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1890, the church's intricate brickwork and traditional steeple define the downtown area, making it a prominent landmark for the Presbyterian community.

Statement of Cultural Value and Interest

Historical Value

The property was granted by the Crown to Daniel Greenians Senior in January 1832, who sold it to Henry Huffman in March 1832. The church sits on parts of Lots 13 and 14. Lot 13 changed hands several times: sold by Huffman in 1833, bought by Richard Moore in 1834, with later owners including John Dempsey (1839), George Dempsey (1855), John Brown (1867), Thomas Cook Brown Kerr (1871), Emily Willmott (1872), William Dempsey (1874), and William L.P. Eager (1878). The Congregation of Knox Church’s trustees bought the land from Eager on August 12, 1890.

In the fall of 1890, John Hunter, a prominent contractor in the late 1800s, was selected to build this church for the congregation at a cost of approximately $14,000. The original tender was $9,950, but changes to the plan included using slate roofing instead of shingles and raising the spire by approximately one story. William Stewart (1832-1907), of Hamilton, designed this building and supervised the construction. He was a prominent  "pioneer" architect in Hamilton, Ontario, known for designing numerous civic and commercial buildings, including a National Historic Site.

Hon. J. M. Gibson, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, laid the cornerstone on September 18, 1890. The church was dedicated on June 28, 1891. The cornerstone trowel is now in the Narthex. The church’s heritage value includes its physical, historical, and contextual significance, linking it to Milton’s past. A rear wing, added in 1894, is now used as a Sunday School.

Major restoration work took place at the church in 2011–2012 to repair and reinforce the roof structure, including the timber scissor-truss frames. A new slate roof was installed; brickwork was repointed and cleaned; the eaves were modified for better rainwater protection; and the interior was refurbished. For this careful restoration, Knox Presbyterian Church received a Heritage Milton Award in 2013.

The church played a vital role in the growth and history of the Presbyterian community, serving as a hub for spiritual life, social interaction, education, and civic engagement. It is worth noting that the Scottish residence first worships at St. Andrews, known as the Old Kirk, which was built in 1846 and is located at approximately 54 Main Street East. In 1855, the Knox congregation built a church at 103 Martin Street before the present church at 170 Main Street East was constructed. Among its congregation were many former mayors of Milton, including Dr. David Robertson, Dr. Robert King, Dr. Hugh Angus McColl, James Wilson Blain, John M. McKenzie, George H. Dawson, G.C. Gowland, and Dr. Cecil Hartley.

Physical or Design Value

This distinctive one-storey, rectangular brick building is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture, prominently featuring a traditional side tower. The church includes a narthex, a five-bay nave, an apse, and a rear-wing addition. Its steeply pitched gable slate roof is accented by closed metal bargeboards, verges, fascia, and eaves. The side brick tower rises to a slate-covered steeple capped with a decorative finial. Brick buttresses and corbelled brick cornices enhance the east and west elevations, while a single-flue brick chimney with a metal cap marks the southern end. Two straight flights of concrete stairs with metal handrails lead to the main entrances, each adorned with double-leaf, five-panel, centre-pointed doors, half-round trim, brick architraves, and Gothic arch surrounds. The church's Gothic-arched stained glass tracery windows, set with brick voussoirs, stone labels, and stone lug sills, showcase an array of intricate designs. Especially noteworthy is the north elevation, which features a dramatic grouping of five lancet windows crowned by a quatrefoil. The Gothic-arched tracery windows demonstrate a high degree of technical achievement in glass and stone works.

Contextual Value

The property is an important place of worship building that is crucial in maintaining and supporting the historical character of Downtown Milton. The prominent location of this church along Main Street East provides a visual link and sense of place to Downtown Milton. Serving as a central landmark for the Presbyterian community, this church is also recognized as a historical treasure in downtown Milton.

Character Defining Elements/Heritage Attributes

Key attributes that reflect the cultural heritage value of the property include:

  • The massing of this one-storey, rectangular, five-bay brick structure in the Gothic Revival style, with a traditional side tower.
  • High-pitched gable slate roof with closed metal bargeboard, verges, fascia, and eaves
  • Side brick tower, slate-covered steeple capped with a finial,
  • Brick buttresses and corbel brick cornices on the East and West elevations
  • Single flue brick chimney with metal capping at the South end
  • Two pairs of double-leaf five-panel centre-pointed entrance doors, half-round trims, brick architrave, and gothic arch surround.
  • Triple lancet-stained glass Gothic arched tracery windows with brick voussoir, and stone lug sills on the East and West elevations.
  • Gothic arched stained glass tracery windows with brick voussoir, stone label, and stone lug sills at the North elevation, comprising a group of five lancet windows topped with a quatrefoil
  • Gothic arched stained glass tracery windows with brick voussoir, stone label, and stone lug sills at the Narthex
  • Gothic arched stained glass tracery windows with brick voussoir surround and stone lug sills at the tower
  • The subject property was built by John Hunter, a prominent contractor in the late 1800s. William Stewart (1832-1907), of Hamilton, designed this building and supervised the construction. He was a prominent and "pioneer" architect in Hamilton, Ontario, known for designing numerous civic and commercial buildings, including a National Historic Site.
  • Contextually, this church is a key landmark for the Presbyterian community in the region and remains a historical treasure in defining the heritage character of Downtown Milton, reinforcing both community identity and local heritage

Any person may, within thirty (30) days of the publication of this notice, send by registered mail or deliver to the Clerk of the Corporation of the Town of Milton, notice of his or her objection to the proposed designation together with a statement of the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts.  If such a Notice of Objection is received by April 16, 2026, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton shall refer the matter to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal for a hearing.

Dated at Milton on March 16, 2026

Meaghen Reid, Town Clerk
The Corporation of the Town of Milton
150 Mary St.
Milton, Ontario, L9T 6Z5