Status Demolished Materials Cedar, Glass Capacity 2,200 Architectural style International Style Architect Peter Hemingway | Completed 1972 Opened 1972 Province Alberta Groundbreaking 1964 | |
Affiliation Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Address 11605 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5H 0Y9, Canada Similar City Centre Church, McDougall United Church, ABNWT District of PAOC, New Life Pentecost Church, Central Baptist Church | ||
The Central Pentecostal Tabernacle was a Pentecostal church in Edmonton, Canada that stood until 2007. The large complex covered an entire city block, featured a cedar and glass pyramid and included several buildings and the associated Northwest Bible College (now Vanguard College).
The site was locally famous as the location of the "Singing Christmas Tree" choir concerts. The complex belonged to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and was the denomination's largest church at one point. The site is located in the Queen Mary Park neighbourhood, just to the north of the downtown.
The two main buildings, one square and one pyramid-shaped, were constructed in 1964 and 1972 respectively and designed by Peter Hemingway and Charles Laubenthal. The "square building" was one of Edmonton's only buildings in the international style. The pyramid was considered precursor to Hemingway's signature work, the multiple pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory.
In 2005 the buildings were abandoned and the congregation moved to a suburban location. The site was eventually sold to Time Developments and re-zoned for condominiums. The Edmonton Historical Board and the Historical Resources Review Panel recommended that the buildings be given protective status, but this was rejected by city council. In 2007 the Heritage Canada Foundation listed the site as one of the "top ten endangered places in Canada". The buildings were demolished six months later. In 2008 excavation started for "The Edge" condominiums on the site of the main sanctuary, but work halted shortly afterwards. The former Northwest Bible College buildings are currently being used as commercial offices. Construction on "The Vermillion" condominiums was started on the former overflow parking lot, but remains unfinished as of 2017.
The Church adherents relocated to a new building they constructed: North Pointe Community Church, a suburban church on 167 Avenue and 140 Street.