After nearly six decades as a fixture in Gordon Head, St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church is preparing to close its doors for good.
The church property at 1806 San Juan Ave. was listed for $8 million by the Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets on Feb. 28. A conditional offer has already been made by a private buyer, with the sale expected to close by July.
The site includes an 8,860-square-foot church and annex building. But after years of mounting repair costs and an aging structure, the diocese made the difficult decision to sell.
“This church has served our community so well, but it requires too many repairs to be feasibly kept around,” Right Rev Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee said. “That’s why we’ve explored other options.”
Years prior, the diocese proposed redeveloping the site into affordable housing coupled with a new worship space. A $150,000 grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation helped fund design concepts, but it was determined that the project would not generate enough capital to support both goals.
“We looked into affordable housing on the site, but it quickly became clear the numbers didn’t work,” Greenwood-Lee said. “The building is large, but it would need extensive renovations to remain operational for another 60 years. Our goal is to serve the community, and this just wasn’t the right place for that.”
While the St. Dunstan’s project didn’t move forward, the diocese remains active in housing efforts. It recently completed the final phase of Dawson Heights in Saanich, adding 85 units, and is developing another 130 in Duncan. It’s also working to transform part of the St. John the Divine property into a 32-unit Wellness House.
Currently zoned P-1R (Assembly Zone Restricted), the St. Dunstan’s property is designated for community-oriented uses such as churches and schools. With rezoning approval from the District of Saanich, however, the site could be redeveloped into a mixed-use space featuring townhomes, apartments, and business space.
Once the sale closes, the diocese will step back from any future decisions about the property.
Shawn Steele, president of the Gordon Head Community Association, hopes the redevelopment will complement the surrounding neighbourhood.
"We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the new owner of the property," Steele said. "We would like to see mixed-use commercial incorporated into a new development on that property in order to support Saanich's 15 minute community vision, and to support the thriving soccer use at Tyndall Park across the street.
He also stressed the need for community amenities and infrastructure upgrades.
"Hopefully the new owner will also consider a community space and perhaps a playground to support the various community groups displaced by the sale of the property," Steele added. "We will request that Saanich Engineering adds road safety upgrades for increased multi-modal traffic at the already busy intersection; especially considering the park, school, and nearby 58 new units that are now under construction."
The Diocese of Islands and Inlets oversees 46 church properties across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, several of which include housing components. Greenwood-Lee acknowledged the emotional weight of saying goodbye to St. Dunstan’s.
“I’m proud of the congregation for making the difficult decision to move on,” she said. “They’re now worshipping with the Two Saints congregation, and it’s been a good transition.”
If the sale is completed, she added, the proceeds will be managed with care.
“Diocesan council will be entrusted with stewarding those funds in a way that contributes to the long-term ministry of the diocese as a whole,” she said. “We will all be bound in gratitude to the good people of St. Dunstan’s.”
