Exterior view of the Christian Science Building, 2004
Photo: City of Nanaimo, Christine Meutzner, 2004
- Built
- 1900–1910
- Recognized
- 2002
- By
- Local government
The register’s text, word for word
Description
The Christian Science Society Building is a modest, one-storey, Classical Period Revival style building located in downtown Nanaimo. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.
Heritage value
Renovated in 1932, the Christian Science Society Building is a very good example of Classical Period Revival architecture. Typically monumental in scale and often featuring massive order columns and other oversize elements, this style was very popular for churches and public buildings during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Christian Science Society Building is, however, a very modest rendition of the style, more appropriate to the small congregation it served in Nanaimo and the financial constraints of its construction during the Depression.
A good example of early adaptive re-use, the building, originally a residence, was substantially renovated in 1932. Renovations included removing the interior partitions, setting the house on a concrete foundation and covering the outside in stucco. Since that time, the building has remained remarkably unchanged and continues to serve the function for which it was renovated.
The Christian Science Society Building is part of a significant grouping of historic buildings.
SourceCity of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-02/20 Chapel Street
Character‑defining elements
Character-defining elements of the Christian Science Society building include:
-all of the elements of a modest version of the Classical Period Revival style including the symmetrical facade, triangular pediment over the front entry and minimal projecting elements.
-the location within a grouping of historic buildings.
End of the register’s text
Location
20 Chapel Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R, Canada
49.16922° N, 123.93834° W
Get directions (opens in a new tab)Being on the register doesn’t make a place open to visitors. Many are private homes or businesses; please view them from the street.
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From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.