Mustard Seed permanently closes 96th Street church in Edmonton and demolition is likely

The Mustard Seed has closed its building on Edmonton's 96th Street and will likely demolish it to make way for a replacement. 

The Christian non-profit organization, which has been running services out of the former church since the 1980s, announced the closure this week.

In an interview with CBC News on Thursday, community engagement specialist Megan Schuring said maintaining the building, which is not accessible to people with disabilities, has become too difficult and costly.

"We don't want to risk safety for folks that are utilizing the space or our staff," she said. 

"It's sad because it's been an iconic part of the Mustard Seed Edmonton and an iconic structure in Edmonton itself," she said.

Historically, the church hosted holiday meals, dance lessons, funerals, chaplain services and community events, Schuring said. More recently, post-pandemic, it has been used as a food hamper pick-up location.

Darren Bancroft, who spoke to CBC News while he was waiting in line to enter the building before it closed on Thursday, said some buildings aren't worth saving but this one is a landmark on a street known for its concentration of churches.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a historical site, so I think it should stay," he said. 

David Johnston, principal heritage planner with the City of Edmonton's heritage conservation unit, said the church is on the city's inventory of historic resources, but it is not a protected building.

Unless city council intervenes — a step that has never been done in Alberta, he said — the organization is allowed to demolish the building.

Johnston said the church is a fine and somewhat rare example of the gothic revival architecture style, with large stained-glass windows, brick masonry and a corner spire. 

"Every time we lose one of these, it's like another piece of the soul of the community eroding away," he said. 

While restoring historic buildings can be quite expensive, Johnston said, the city has grants available and works with owners to pursue reuse opportunities.

Schuring said the Mustard Seed has talked about preserving the facade and has had architects look at the building, but it will probably be demolished.

"Realistically, we don't have any confirmed or definite plans on what the new space would look like," she said. 

The food depot program will reopen on Oct. 29 at the Mustard Seed Health and Wellness Centre at 11355 105th Ave.

Viki Murray, who was seven when her family visited the church for help in 2007, said the new location is less optimal, given the concentration of need in McCauley.

But she said she is glad the organization is considering clients' safety and planning to keep the food depot program running.

"It doesn't seem like a whole lot just to have a meal in front of you, but when you don't have access to that and someone is able to give you that sort of resource, it absolutely means the world," she said. 

Laura Giesbrecht, the Mustard Seed's senior director of food services, said staff and clients have been emotional about the move.

"We've served out of that church for over 30 years and so there is some sorrow in saying goodbye to that location," she said.