Former church in Sudbury being transformed into a concert hall
There are exciting plans for Knox Presbyterian Church in downtown Sudbury.
Built in 1927, the Knox Presbyterian Church in downtown Sudbury was sold after its congregation dwindled. Now it’s being transformed into a concert hall. (Alana Everson/CTV News)
Built in 1927, the former church was sold after its congregation dwindled. Now it’s being transformed into a concert hall.
"We are looking to maintain as much of the architecture as possible," said Dan Guillemette, who owns the building along with partner Liana Bacon.
“At the beginning, we will be keeping it as a small, 150-seat venue. We are working with building services to do a quick view to see how we can expand to get to an ideal capacity of 600.”
The owners said the pipe organ will remain and still be played during some live performances.
"We wanted to keep a lot of the theme of the building and maintain the beauty that is here,” Bacon said.
“No need to take anything out that doesn't need to go. And to that end there is an incredible built-in organ here with the pipes right in the walls, which is such a cool feature for the building."
There is even a second built-in stage downstairs.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Plans are for the rebranded Knox Music Hall to offer a wide array of live music and entertainment.
"We are a multi-faceted venue that hosts music and a variety of events, from live art exhibitions to speakers to comedians," said program coordinator Brennon Patterson.
“We are trying to get an all-round basis of entertainment for our community.”
The owners said they are excited to bring another venue for live music and entertainment to the downtown core. They hope to open Knox Concert Hall this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.