Construction that will help save the historic McDougall United Church from ruin began Monday.
The project, worth more than $1.2 million, is being funded through the City of Edmonton and grants from the provincial government, and is expected to continue into the fall of 2016.
The first phase includes reconstructing the front steps, repairing brickwork in the facade on the west side of the church at 10025 101 St., as well as continued maintenance and repairs on the south tower.
Ledcor Construction Ltd., the prime contractor, has already installed scaffolding around the church and a safety fence along the south side of the building. Nets will be installed on the scaffolding to protect pedestrians and workers alike from any falling debris.
While the Friends of McDougall Church Society struggled for years to raise $15 million needed to fully restore the century-old church — which also serves as a thousand-seat concert venue — city council voted to designate the building a Municipal Historic Resource in the fall of 2015.
The decision saved the building from demolition and secured $500,000 from the City of Edmonton to stabilize the structure. The provincial government contributed $750,000 from the Community Facility Enhancement Program.
As members of the McDougall Church were negotiating with the city over a period of years in an attempt to save it from crumbling, they at one point offered to sell the structure to the city for $1 and lease it back.
Church members had even contemplated selling the church to a developer, with the land valued at $7 million. However, now that the church is protected by a heritage designation, church members gave up the option of selling.
