By Matthew Puddister

Copyright anglicanjournal

Winnipeg’s 141-year-old Holy Trinity Anglican Church, recognized by the federal government as a national historic site, is in the final stages of a heritage rehabilitation study carried out by two local firms to look at potential repairs estimated to cost $7 million.

Holy Trinity faced possible demolition in September 2024. Vestry members at the time feared structural collapse and were looking at nearby sites as alternative sites of worship. However, speaking to the Anglican Journal on July 30, 2025, now-Bishop of Rupert’s Land Naboth Manzongo, who was incumbent of Holy Trinity and bishop-elect of Rupert’s Land at the time, said the city had not condemned the building or labelled it a safety risk, and the congregation continues to worship there.

On Sept. 12, Manzongo told the Journal the heritage rehabilitation study was in its last phase of research.

Manzongo said the need for potential repairs stems from the church shifting due to the construction of adjacent office buildings in the 1960s. As a result, the building is now starting to crack in places.

The two firms Holy Trinity signed a memorandum of understanding with to conduct the study are Monteyne Architecture, serving as architectural consultants; and CentreVenture Development Corporation, which describes itself as an “arms-length agency” of the City of Winnipeg that specializes in encouraging development of the downtown core through public-private partnerships.

On April 25, CentreVenture announced it would support the first phase of a heritage rehabilitation study for Holy Trinity. As part of the deal, CentreVenture is providing a $107,000 grant to Holy Trinity, covering half of the $214,000 total cost of the study.

Monteyne, for its part, has brought in consultants from the business world, the City of Winnipeg, and those experienced in development projects across Manitoba as well as heritage projects, Manzongo said.

“We have people who have an interest in faith properties, on how they can partner with faith properties … This study is not only about redevelopment of the sanctuary itself of the church, but redevelopment in terms of the whole property,” which also includes the parking lot and an addition to the church built in the 1960s, Manzongo said.

The rehabilitation study will provide new estimates on costs to repair the church, verifying whether the $7-million figure is correct, as well as options to fund those repairs.

In February 2023, Bishop of Rupert’s Land Geoffrey Woodcroft gave Holy Trinity permission to sell its building under the conditions that any buyer preserve the church, offer a space for its congregation to worship and maintain programming for helping people in the downtown core, such as providing free lunches for the homeless.