Historic Church in Downtown Ingersoll Will Be Converted Into a Commercial Space

Thursday, 26 September 2019 12:23

Oxford County has given the final approval to allow the former St. James Anglican Church in Downtown Ingersoll to be converted into a commercial space.

INGERSOLL - Oxford County Council has given a final approval to amend a by-law that will see the former St. James Anglican Church in Downtown Ingersoll be used for a commercial space.

A Toronto Developer has purchased the nearly 200 year old property and wants to convert it, into a commercial space, while still keeping it's structural integrity. Warden Larry Martin says they can now use the space for any commercial use they want.

"With the change it can be used for a commercial outlet, retail, restaurant, basically anything commercial can be located in there."

A lot of buzz in the community surrounds the idea of the church being used for a micro brewery, however no official plans have been announced. Martin says nothing has been proposed at this time.

"There is no speculation whatsoever what might happen, it's just what may happen, I guess is the best way of putting it."

Ingersoll Mayor Ted Comiskey says the developer hasn't made it clear, what they want to do with the building and they will have plenty of options. He notes this is good news that the historic building will remain in downtown Ingersoll.

"When you have more commercial outlets and attractive commercial outlets, you are bringing people to the downtown core and I think that is the desire of all small communities in Ontario these days, not to lose their downtown. When you have a developer come to town with some good ideas and that idea being two fold, maintaining the building structure so that we have that unique and historic site and number 2, bringing commercial to the downtown core is advantageous for everyone."

Comiskey says this is good news for the downtown and they are excited to work with the new owners.