Old St.John's Church, Stamford

Old St.John's Church, Stamford
3394 Portage Road, Niagara Falls

What more can we say other than to read the historical plaque...

Perhaps a few things.

This church dates back 1825, and is one of the oldest Anglican churches in Ontario.  As a church built by and for English and Loyalist settlers in the area, its design is as to be expected.  It is a simple box, with the necessary gothic windows, and a short tower.  It faces onto Stamford Green – the only village green in Canada.

St.John’s Church is located in what was Stamford Village, dating back to 1783 – the period of time during which loyalists were coming into Canada after the American revolution.  It gradually grew, and in 1787 a village hall was built – later becoming the Presbyterian church.  The community remained small, and largely pastoral, into the post-WWS period.  With massive growth through the 1950s and 1960s, the Township of Stamford merged with the City of Niagara Falls in 1963. 

In contrast to the quiet Stamford Green, to the south on Portage Road is one of the main commercial hubs of Niagara Falls, complete with shopping centres.  The Town and Country Plaza of 1955 was the first shopping plaza built in Niagara Falls.

Things to contemplate

Look around, across to the historic Stamford Green.  If you were in charge, what would you do with this bit of urban fabric?