SPIRIT Place, which has the potential to be a role model for many other church communities, proposes a facility that will shelter both a new space for St. John’s United Church, as well as, a rich living environment for seniors.

By providing an inspiring place to worship, housing for seniors and a variety of outreach programs and services, this ‘community hub’ invites and supports social interaction between children, seniors, families and minority groups. Imagine a place where a senior can sit with a friend on a park bench and watch a family have a picnic or take a stroll through a garden feeling safe and secure. Imagine an elderly gay male, finding true friendship in a place where he is not judged and is free to live his life openly. Imagine a couple having the ability to stay in their home for years longer because of access to doctors, grocery or meal services, or help with the housework. Imagine a family having a place to gather and worship with friends and community, to contribute their talents for the good of others. This place is the new St. John’s United.

Amenities will be available to residents, such as light housekeeping, security, laundry on each floor, a guest suite for visitors, a fitness room, private and semi-private outdoor terraces, a communal ‘living room’ on most floors, bike storage, and internal access to the sanctuary spaces.

While the immediate goal is to provide residential units on the ground floor, the church envisions that in the future it may be advantageous to the tenants and the greater neighbourhood to offer these spaces as small scale commercial, fronting onto Windsor Street, available for lease by non-profit groups, furthering the reach of St. John’s into the community by offering lower cost rental space to other socially minded groups.