Strathcona in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Zion United Church

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 4, 2023

1. Zion United Church Marker

Inscription.
Quick Facts: West End's first church - Opened 1855 - Home of champion sports teams

Zion Church became a focal point for the West End community. (Image courtesy City of Hamilton)

The West End's first church opened in 1855 when a building was secured on the south side of Main Street, just east of Margaret Street. The site of the present Zion United Church, on the corner of Pearl and Napier Streets, was originally the Sunday School. This location was known as 'Mount Zion' to indicate its location on the height of land which traverses this part of the city.

- Officially dedicated as Zion Tabernacle in April 1875.
- Sunday School rebuilt by 1892; the gym was added in 1912.
- Stan Burnes led church basketball teams to elite levels in the 1920s.

Following the Normal School fire in 1953, Zion, along with Erskine and St. George's churches, provided accommodation for the students. By the 1960s, church attendance began a decline and the Wesley Urban Ministries established a presence in the building. Zion's prominent tower still dominates the neighbourhood landscape.

Erected 2019 by City of Hamilton.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location.

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43° 15.758′ N, 79° 52.972′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Strathcona. It is at the intersection of Locke Street North and Morden Street, on the left when traveling north on Locke Street North. The marker is in Victoria Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamilton ON L8R 3A5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe,

in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area,

and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early West End Hotels (within shouting distance of this marker); Crystal Palace and Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Erskine Presbyterian Church (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Hamilton Normal School (about 120 meters away); Iroquois Sand and Gravel Bar (about 120 meters away); Strathcona Avenue Fire Hall (about 120 meters away); Strathcona School (about 150 meters away); Hand Fireworks (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2023

2. Zion United Church Marker

Zion United Church Marker detail image. Click for full size.

3. Zion United Church Marker detail

4. Zion United Church Marker detail

Zion United Church, 2023 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 25, 2023

5. Zion United Church, 2023

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 714 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 27, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.