Buildings

West End Commons (St. Matthews Church Housing)

Formerly:St. Matthews Church
Address:641 St. Matthew's Avenue
Use:Multi-family housing
Place of worship
Original Use:Place of worship
Constructed:1947
Architects:J. N. Semmens
ft3 architects (2014)
Engineers:Original steel by Dominion Bridge Company
Contractors:Claydon Company
Tours:Part of the QR Code Tour

More Information

St. Matthew's Anglican Church has been at the corner of Maryland Street and St. Matthew's Avenue since 1913.The original 1913 building was destroyed in a fire and was rebuilt in 1946-1947, using a similar design to the original. The once large congregation diminished over time and it was a challenge to maintain the building. St. Matthew’s entered into a partnership with Grain of Wheat Church-Community to establish St. Matthews Non Profit Housing Inc and develop the WestEnd Commons. St.Matthew’s gave a 50 year lease of its building to SMNPH and is now a tenant in the building and an active member of the community of communities that is now the WestEnd Commons

The WestEnd Commons, on the main floor, consists of a 1,000 sq. foot atrium, including an indoor play structure salvaged from the previous airport terminal.The upper floors of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church have been transformed into 26 apartments.

Design Characteristics

Frontage  Direction:South
  • Wood from the original interior of St. Matthew’s Church were salvaged and reused in the new construction. Upper level apartments feature dramatic wood ceilings and beams from the original church.