Description of Historic Place

Via Rail/CNR Station is located to the south of Churchill, adjacent to the rail yard and not far from the Churchill River. A rectangular composition with a complex interplay of roof forms, it consists of a modest main block with a two-storey projecting pavilion and an extension topped by a hipped roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Churchill Via Rail/CNR Station is a Recognized Federal Heritage building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The construction of the Churchill Via Rail/CNR Station is closely associated with the beginning of the modern era in the middle north of Canada. Along with the associated rail and port facilities, it signaled modern expansion into the sub-arctic regions of the middle north of Canada. The station represents the important role that the railways played in the development of the north. The building is key in the development of Churchill.

Architectural Value:
The Churchill Via Rail/CNR Station is a very good example of a building which reveals the influence of both the late Queen Anne Revival and the Arts and Crafts styles. In particular it illustrates the styles emphasis on picturesque design and massing that are at once distinctive and typical of Canadian railway architecture.

Environmental Value:
The environmental significance of the Churchill Via Rail/CNR Station resides in the integrity of the building’s relationship to its site. The station contributes to the commercial and transport related character created by the port, by grain elevators and other structures in its environs. It also has landmark value since it is the first building encountered on arrival in Churchill by rail.

Sources: Leslie Maitland, Via Rail; CNR Station, Churchill, Manitoba. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 99-142, Via Rail; CNR Station, Churchill, Manitoba. Heritage Character Statement 99-142.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Via Rail/CNR Station in Churchill should be respected.

Its Queen Anne Revival and Arts and Crafts styles and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the rectangular form, low massing and complex interplay of roof forms; the one-and-a-half-storey main block with asbestos shingle siding, the two-storey projecting pavilion and the one-storey extension; the hipped roof of varying pitches; the roof of the one-storey portion of the station that extends around the building creating wide bracketed eaves on the trackside and over the street side entrance; the wooden, horizontal banding applied to the base of the building; the asymmetrical arrangement of the windows and doors; the remaining interior fittings such as the ticket counter and wooden benches in the manager’s office.

The manner in which the Via Rail/CNR Station reinforces the commercial and transport-related setting within Churchill and its associated landscape and is an important local landmark, as evidenced in: the station's ongoing historical relationship of the structure to its site such as the adjacent rail yard, associated platform, parking lots and service yards on the other three sides; the station's functional nature within its commercial/transport related setting; its importance as a major focal point for arriving and departing rail passengers; its ongoing role as a railway station, which makes it an important landmark building for rail passengers.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Churchill VIA Rail / Canadian National Railways (CNR) Station was constructed in 1929-30. It was designed by the CNR’s Architectural Division. Minor modifications have occurred to the interior layout. The building is currently used as a passenger railway station. Parks Canada Agency is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 99-142.

Reasons for Designation
The Churchill VIA Rail / CNR Station has been designated “Recognized” because of its environmental significance, its importance as a work of architecture and also because of its historical associations.

The environmental significance of the Churchill VIA Rail / CNR Station resides in the integrity of the building’s relationship to its site, and in its status as a determining feature in the layout and later development of the modern town of Churchill. The station contributes to the character created by the port and by grain elevators and other transportation-related and commercial structures in its environs. It also has landmark value as the first thing one sees upon arriving in Churchill by rail.
Architecturally, the Churchill VIA Rail / CNR Station is of considerable interest for its picturesque design and massing which reveal the influence of both late Queen Anne Revival and Arts and Crafts styles. The form and massing are at once distinctive and typical of Canadian railway architecture.

The construction of the Churchill VIA Rail / CNR Station, along with the associated rail and port facilities, signalled the beginning of a modern era of the middle north of Canada. This station represents the important role that the railways played in the development of the north. The building is a key landmark in the history of Churchill.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Churchill VIA Rail / CNR Station resides in its form, massing, materials and finishes, interior layout and site relationships.
The station is characterized by its horizontal emphasis, asymmetrical massing and prominent, complex roof line. The building’s rectangular composition consists of a 1 1/2 -storey main block with a two-storey projecting pavilion and a one-storey extension. With the exception of the two-storey pavilion, the building has a medium-pitch hipped roof with indented hipped dormers on the main block portion of the roof. The two-storey pavilion has a steeply pitched hipped roof. The roof of the one-storey portion of the station extends around the building to create wide bracketed eaves on the track side and over the street side entrance. The typical rectilinear footprint and the complex interplay of roof forms, dormers and deep eaves with brackets are important elements of the building’s design which should be retained and protected.

The station is a wood-frame structure on a concrete foundation, clad in asbestos shingle siding which may be original to the building. The wooden banding applied to the base of the building not only protects the exterior walls of the station but also emphasizes the horizontal nature of the design. Contrasting colours may also have been an element of the picturesque design. The asymmetrical arrangement of the windows and doors reflects interior layout and functions. This is an important relationship that should be respected. The windows originally featured divided lights in the upper sashes, typical of Queen Anne Revival style influences. When new windows are required, the building’s heritage character would be enhanced by the re-introduction of windows sympathetic with that design.

Inside, the manager’s office, ticket counter and some of the wooden benches remain, and should be retained. Early wall and ceiling finishes may be obscured by overlay of new finishes and later work; future alterations should be preceded by investigation to identify historic fabric and provide for its protection.

The site of the Churchill VIA Rail / CNR Station consists of a platform on the track side, and parking lots and service yards on the other three sides. The utilitarian character of the site and the important relationship with the platform and tracks should be respected.