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Old St. Stephen's College
Edmonton
Other Names:
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St. Stephen's College
St. Stephen's College (Old)
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Old St. Stephen's College is a four-storey Collegiate Gothic style wood frame building clad in brick veneer. It is located on a large urban lot on the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton.
Heritage Value
Historical Value: Old St. Stephen's College, the first building on the grounds of Alberta's first university, played a significant part in the development of the university and the history of higher education in Alberta. Although not directly a part of the University, the presence of this Methodist college was directly associated with the commencement of campus activities. From its completion in 1911 until 1927, theological students lived and studied here. Thereafter, the building was used as a convalescent hospital, a nurses' residence, an army barracks, a male students' residence for the University, and a centre for the administration of historic sites by Alberta's Government.
Architectural Value: Edmonton architect H.A. Magoon designed this 1910-12 building in the Collegiate Gothic style. This choice reflected a trend already well established among academic institutions across North America, and created a precedent followed on the U of A campus until the 1950s.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 132)
Character-Defining Elements
- the Collegiate Gothic style as exemplified by the octagonal five-storey stairwell towers, tudor-arched main entry, stone detailing, crenellated parapets, tall narrow windows, wood tracery in selected windows and red brick veneer exterior finish;
- the location, siting and T-shaped plan of the building;
- the landscape features, including walkways, lawn and elm trees;
- the first floor chapel, with stained glass windows, memorials and oak furnishings;
- the fifth-floor gymnasium, with its large tudor-arched window surmounting the main facade;
- the oak entrance doors and interior details, foyer with pilasters, plasterwork and vault, Dean's office with fireplace.
Location
| Street Address: |
8820 - 112 Street NW |
| Community: |
Edmonton |
| Boundaries: |
Lot 2, Block 4, Plan 7920335 |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
4
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24
24
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52
52
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30
30
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10
16 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
7920335
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4
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2
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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53.524399 |
-113.521625 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1983/06/02 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1910 to 1910 |
| Period of Significance: |
N/A |
| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Education and Social Well-Being
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| Historic Function(s): |
Education : Post-Secondary Institution
Residence : Group Residence
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| Current Function(s): |
Government : Office or Office Building
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| Architect: |
H.A. Magoon
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE:
The historical importance of this building derives from the fact that it is the first structure built on the grounds of Alberta's first university that was established in 1908. The University of Alberta was one of the first such institutions in the four western provinces. As a part of the University of Alberta, St. Stephen's College has played an important role in the social and academic life of that institution.
ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE:
The Tudor style architecture of this building with such features as battlemented parapets and octagonal towers similar in design to St. James Palace in London has made it an imposing landmark on the campus of the University of Alberta.
Site Data Form (September 6, 1977) |
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0281 |
| Designation File: |
DES 0132 |
| Related Listing(s): |
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 29047
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 132) |
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