Overview

Ontario’s heritage places of worship are celebrated and respected as spiritual centres, and sacred sites of significance (to Indigenous communities), are enduring landmarks in our communities, but few places of worship are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. Heritage places of worship are underrepresented in the record of Ontario’s protected heritage properties.

Today, property owners of heritage places of worship face many challenges. These can include dwindling congregations, shrinking revenues and rising costs, aging building stock, public safety and accessibility, real estate pressures, adapting to new forms of worship and changing attitudes. At the same time, many heritage places of worship are important to the larger community as resources of cultural heritage value or interest, as well as centres of spirituality and community services. Property owners often have a difficult task of determining priorities regarding the ongoing care of heritage places of worship, accommodating the evolving practices and religious needs of faith groups, while considering and contributing towards the interests of the broader community.

In most cases, heritage places of worship must cover operating, maintenance and capital investments through a combination of donations, grants and incentives (for example, property owned by a church or religious organization or leased to another charitable organization as a place of worship is exempt from property tax under the Assessment Act).

Many heritage properties change or are adapted over time, but places of worship may be different in that they often have evolving spiritual value in addition to cultural heritage value. Heritage places of worship may be thought of as “living cultural heritage resources” due to the ongoing need to change or adapt them to new philosophies, doctrines or practices of worship. This should be considered when deciding the best approach to conserving a heritage place of worship.

This guide is meant to be an initial point of reference to assist in the conservation and protection of all types of heritage places of worship in Ontario. Each section provides links to relevant Ontario Heritage Tool Kit guides and other tools available on provincial ministry websites. Online sources of information specific to heritage places of worship are also provided. The guide will help those involved in planning for and making decisions on the conservation, designation, alteration, disposal and demolition of heritage properties built or adapted as places of worship, recognizing their unique characteristics and circumstances.

What’s in this guide?

  1. Introduction  
    This section sets out the context for the conservation of heritage places of worship, including an overview of key provincial legislation guiding municipal and property owners’ decision-making regarding heritage properties.
  2. Identifying and Evaluating Heritage Places of Worship  
    This section describes considerations for identifying, researching and evaluating heritage places of worship, which may result in including the property on the municipal register.
  3. Recognizing Heritage Places of Worship in Your Community  
    This section sets out the range of options for recognizing, commemorating and protecting heritage places of worship, from good stewardship and promotion, through to legal tools provided under the Ontario Heritage Act — designation and heritage conservation easements.
  4. Effectively Conserving and Managing Heritage Places of Worship  
    This section discusses considerations for keeping heritage places of worship viable in the community while conserving and protecting their cultural heritage value or interest. It discusses the effect of the Ontario Heritage Act on alterations, as well as tools available under the Planning Act to extend the useful life of the property.
  5. Managing Disposal of Heritage Places of Worship  
    This section sets out some of the considerations for property owners wishing to dispose of a heritage place of worship when it is no longer viable or needed.
  6. Resources and Further Information

The ministry has published these guidance materials as an aid to municipalities and others working with the Ontario Heritage Act. The information in this guidance is not intended to take the place of legal advice. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this guidance and any applicable legislation or regulations, including the Ontario Heritage Act and its regulations, the legislation or regulations prevail.