Historic Almonte building enters real estate market after 23-year restoration

A prominent and historic building at the corner of Main and Union streets in Almonte is once again drawing public attention, this time as it enters the real estate market after undergoing more than two decades of restoration.

The former church, located at 38 Main St. E., currently sits on the market with a listing price of $499,900. However, its significance goes well beyond its nearly half-a-million-dollar asking price. With its distinctive stone construction, Gothic-inspired windows, and prime location along a prominent stretch of Main Street, the property is considered to be “one of the most recognizable buildings in Almonte,” according to the listing on Realtor.ca.

At the corner of Main Street East and Union Street North, the property sits right in the heart of the community’s historic downtown core alongside local shops, restaurants and other heritage buildings. The property also sits beside the Mississippi River, with a clear river view from its high windows.

The Trinity Methodist Church was constructed in 1887, replacing the former 1860 Methodist church. According to the Downtown Almonte Heritage Conservation District Study, Woolen Mill owner William Thoburn played a key role in fundraising and planning for the new church.

The study details that Marshall Benjamin Aylesworth was the architect and William Willoughby and his sons George and Richard were stonemasons for the church. The church became Trinity United
Church in 1925 and closed in 1951 before finally evolving into the Dungarvon Building.

As previously reported, an engineering report from the property owner in October 2023 warned of serious structural safety concerns and the risk of further deterioration during the winter. As a result, the municipality hired its own structural engineers to conduct an independent assessment of the property.

Their November 2023 report confirmed the building posed safety risks to both the public and tenants and concluded that action was needed before winter weather caused additional damage. In February of 2024, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills completed temporary stabilization work on the belltower of Dungarvon Building, reducing it’s height and altering the overall appearance of the building.

In its current configuration, the building now includes two apartments and two commercial units with an total of 4 bathrooms and 6 bedrooms. The listing notes that the upper floor has potential for two additional apartments and there is also underground parking available with space for an estimated five to six vehicles.

According to the listing, the longtime owner has spent the past 23 years restoring the building to its current state. While further upgrades are still needed, much of the major restoration work has already been completed.

“There is admittedly plenty of work left to be done but most of the heavy lifting has been done for you,” reads the listing. “The two apartments and two commercial units have the potential of generating significant income for the next owner.”

While the former church’s next chapter will ultimately be determined by its new owner, the property reflects the ongoing challenge, and opportunity, of balancing architectural preservation while finding new, meaningful uses for historical buildings.