Central Pentecostal Tabernacle
| Central Pentecostal Tabernacle | |
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Geographic coordinates | 53°33′04″N 113°31′16″W / 53.551°N 113.521°WCoordinates: 53°33′04″N 113°31′16″W / 53.551°N 113.521°W |
| Affiliation | Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada |
| Status | Demolished |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Peter Hemingway, Charles Laubenthal |
| Architectural style | International style |
| Groundbreaking | 1964 |
| Completed | 1972 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 2,200 |
| Materials | Cedar, Glass |
The Central Pentecostal Tabernacle was a Pentecostal church in Edmonton, Canada that stood until 2007. The large complex covered an entire city block, featured a cedar and glass pyramid and included several buildings and the associated Northwest Bible College (now Vanguard College).
The site was locally famous as the location of the "Singing Christmas Tree" choir concerts. The complex belonged to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and was the denomination's largest church at one point. The site is located in the Queen Mary Park neighbourhood, just to the north of the downtown.
The two main buildings, one square and one pyramid-shaped, were constructed in 1964 and 1972 respectively and designed by Peter Hemingway and Charles Laubenthal. The "square building" was one of Edmonton's only buildings in the international style. The pyramid was considered precursor to Hemingway's signature work, the multiple pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory.
In 2005 the buildings were abandoned and the congregation moved to a suburban location. The site was eventually sold to Time Developments and re-zoned for condominiums. The Edmonton Historical Board and the Historical Resources Review Panel recommended that the buildings be given protective status, but this was rejected by city council. In 2007 the Heritage Canada Foundation listed the site as one of the "top ten endangered places in Canada".[1] The buildings were demolished six months later. In 2008 excavation started for The Edge condos on the site of the main sanctuary, but work as halted shortly afterwards and As of 2010 the site part of a "judicial sale". The former Northwest Bible College buildings are being used as commercial offices, and on the former overflow parking lot The Vermillion condos were started, but remain unfinished As of 2010.
The Church adherents relocated to a new building they constructed: North Pointe Community Church, a suburban church on 167 Avenue and 140 Street.[2]
Notes
Sources
- Herzog, Lawerence (November 2, 2006). "Central Pentecostal Tabernacle". Real Estate Weekly. Realtors Association of Edmonton. Retrieved 2008-04-15.