Crews begin demolition of former Waterloo church

Crews tear down St. Columba Anglican Church in Waterloo on June 9, 2026. (Rowen Fisler/CTV News)

Crews have started demolition of the former St. Columba Anglican Church in Waterloo.

The city purchased 250 Lincoln Road in April 2025 with the goal of building affordable housing on the 1.04-acre property. The project not only aligned with council’s Affordable Housing Strategy, but the city’s commitment to provincial targets, in which 30 per cent of all new developments are designated as affordable housing.

City council voted to tear down the former church in January 2026.

Demolition at 250 Lincoln Road could take about two weeks. Work will then transition to site restoration, including grading and reseeding the land. The city said the property will be fenced off until that grass has fully grown. They also promised to minimize the impact on the Lincoln Heights neighbourhood and local schools, especially during student drop-off and pick-up times.

What comes next is still up in the air.

The city is seeking public input on the redevelopment of 250 Lincoln Road. A community meeting has been scheduled for June 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lincoln Heights Public School.

“We recognize this proposal has generated significant interest and a range of opinions within the community,” the city wrote on Engage WR’s website. “This meeting is intended to provide a respectful forum where residents, city staff and other interested parties can exchange information and engage in constructive dialogue.”

Representatives from the consulting team will also be on hand to answer questions from neighbours.