Donations

Steeple Restoration Project

We request your help in funding the completion of the restoration of the steeple.

By sending us a tax deductible cheque, not only will you help us to reach our immediate goal, but this will in fact conclude a 18 year long restoration program for the whole church building. Cheques are payable to Chalmers-Wesley Building Fund at 78 rue Ste-Ursule, Québec, Qc, G1R 4E8.

Enquiries for additional information can be addressed to 418-977-6395.

Click here to contact us about making a donation.

Chalmers-Wesley United Church

Chalmers-Wesley United Church, built in 1853, is located in the heart of Old Quebec, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This imposing Neo-Gothic structure is home to one of the few English-language congregations within the walls of historic Quebec City. These photographs show its soaring 177 foot (50 meter) steeple, a feature of the skyline of Old Quebec and a landmark of the inner city. We are very proud of the contribution made to the city by our Congregation throughout our history of more than two centuries. Since 1987 we have been sharing our premises with the French-speaking congregation: Saint-Pierre.

Photo of Grande-Allée, Porte Saint-Louis with Chalmers-Wesley Church in the distance. Taken circa 1888 by Fred Würtele

Much of the onus of maintaining this building for future generations rests with our current membership. Since 1995, we have completed five major renovation phases, totalling over $2 million: we have repaired the roof structure, covering it with copper, the front stairway, all the masonry walls and their pinnacles and buttresses, and the spire, which has been redone with a stainless steel covering. We have also restored the magnificent stained-glass windows. We must now complete the restoration of the tower, including 3 of its pinnacles, as repairs are urgently needed due to seepage from rainwater.



In order to complete the steeple restoration, estimated at $1million, the church membership formed a special committee known as the Campaign Cabinet and with the support of a committee of Honorary members, headed by Mr. Peter W. Webster, president of the Webster Foundation, formally began the campaign with an Opening Ceremony in October 2010. As of June 2011, some $900,000 has been raised through private and corporate donations, including an important grant from the Religious Heritage Council of Quebec. This means that $100,000 still requires to be raised in order to reach our goal.


Click here to contact us about making a donation.

Photographs of Damage to the Steeple

These steeple photos were taken in August 2007 by the architect, Yvon Rodrigue, during an inspection from a 250-foot crane. The purpose was to evaluate, at first hand, the condition of various parts of the steeple and to do certain minor repairs, mainly on sections of the metal covering where it had fallen to the ground, resulting in further structural damage from water.

The architect's verdict was that the steeple area, in a number of its parts, but particularly the metal covering of the spire, required urgent attention.

Hence, the purpose of our fundraising efforts became clear. Our goal is now to complete the entire steeple restoration by 2012.


Unfortunately in March of 2008 one of the four pinnacles fell to the ground during a violent snow storm and a large piece hit and damaged the church roof. This happening clearly underlines the seriousness and need for the restoration project. You can see the results of the damage in the above photos.


Click here to contact us about making a donation.