A proposal to bump up the heritage status of the Old Log Church and Rectory to an official historic site appears to have the full support of city council.

There were no objections expressed at Monday evening’s meeting when the matter was brought forward for initial discussion, though there was some concern expressed about potential financial liabilities in the future.

Designating the church and rectory as a historic site would provide the city with the final decision over any plans to demolish, renovate or alter the buildings in any way, it was explained to council.

Does that mean, councillors Dave Stockdale and Betty Irwin asked, the city would be on the hook to provide financial support for any plans to demolish, renovate or alter the buildings?

“What if it has to come down?” Stockdale asked. “If it is not safe, and we can’t demolish it ... who pays to fix it?”

Irwin said the building will continue to age, and at some point will have to come down.

“So I wonder how long the designation will last and if there are any time limits?”

Planning manager Pat Ross assured council there is the ability to remove the classification as a historic site by simply reversing the bylaw process used to make the designation.

Having the official designation could also open up funding avenues to help with preservation of the building, whether it be federal, territorial or city money, council was told.

Ross said the territorial government is also advancing its process to designate the property as a historic site, and the city and territory are combining their efforts where possible.

The Old Log Church, he explained, has been on the city’s heritage registry for many years.

“This is the oldest structure in Whitehorse still on its original grounds,” Ross said.

The administrative report provided to council says the Old Log Church and Rectory are owned by the Yukon Diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada.

They were constructed in 1900 and 1901, and “the buildings remain true to the original log construction.” While there were some additions, most were in place prior to 1944, says the report.

“In 1953, the church became the diocesan cathedral of Yukon and remained as such until a new cathedral opened in 1960,” the report says.

“The building now serves primarily as a museum, representing the history of the Anglican Church in the North. The Rectory is used as a meeting space and for accommodating guests of the diocese.”

The report also notes a number of famous people have worshipped there, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Prince Charles.

Robert Service served as the secretary on the first committee elected to manage the affairs of the church.

“This is a fabulous step forward for our city to help the diocese and really capture what we are about as a city,” said Coun. Kirk Cameron. “I think this is a really positive step forward for the City of Whitehorse.”

Mike Gau, the city’s director of development services, told council the elevated status doesn’t only open up funding avenues and provide the property with the highest designation as a heritage resource.

It also allows the city to hold up and celebrate the site on its website and such, he said.

First reading of the required bylaw is scheduled to go before council next Monday. A public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14, to be followed by second and third reading Oct. 28.

The city has already designated 15 buildings as historic sites, including the Log Skyscrapers #1 and #2 on Lambert Street, the T.C. Richards Building on Steele Street, the Captain Martin House on Wood Street and the Old Fire Hall on Front Street.

There are 71 properties designated as heritage sites.