Notice of Intention to Designate 198 Church Street as a Property of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

Pursuant to Section 29 (3) of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, C. O.18

Dated and published on the municipal website the 11th day of June 2026.

Description of property

The property, 198 Church Street, is a one and a half storey stone structure with a medium pitched side-gable roof and a central gable above the main entrance constructed in 1866, located on the corner of Church Street and Country Street in Almonte.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

The cultural heritage value of the Snedden House lies in the building being an excellent example of an Ontario Cottage, its associations with the Snedden family, who were prominent in Lanark County, and its contribution to the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The Snedden House was built in 1866 for William Snedden after he and his family left their farm in Ramsay Township to settle in town. The building has design value as an example of the Ontario Cottage, a housing form that became widely known through pattern books and publications like The Canada Farmer. Typically, Ontario Cottages are one and a half or two and a half storey three-bay structures with gable or hipped roofs. They remained popular from the 1840s until the late 19th century. True to its type, the Snedden House features a gable roof, is one and a half storeys in height, and has a three-bay façade with a distinctive round-arched window within the gable above the central door. It is constructed of stone set in uneven courses, and its four-over-four sash windows have stone voussoirs and lintels. The house has been conserved by successive owners, ensuring that is continues to be an important part of Almonte’s historic fabric.

The Snedden House has historical value because of its associations with the Snedden family. William Snedden, who built it, was the son of David Snedden, who arrived in the area in 1819, settling on Lot 24, Concession, Ramsay Township. Eventually nine Snedden families settled close by. After his arrival in town, William played a role in the community, serving as a Justice of the Peace.  

The Snedden House has contextual value because of its location on the corner of Church and Country streets, a gateway to the residential area that grew up around it in the later decades of the 19th century.

Description of Heritage Attributes

Key exterior elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Snedden House as an excellent example of an Ontario Cottage include:

• Rough-cut limestone masonry laid in uneven courses;
• Side gable roof with returned eaves, moulded soffit and frieze;
• Two masonry chimneys located at either end of the gable roof;
• Three-bay front façade with centre hall plan;
• Rectangular four-over-four sash windows with stone voussoirs and lintels;
• The narrow round arched, four-over-four windows with a semi-circular decorative fan carving located in the gable end;
• The rectangular transom window with a diamond motif above the front door.

Key contextual attributes that contribute to the cultural heritage value of the Snedden House include:

• The property’s location at the corner of Church and Country Streets in a mixed neighbourhood that grew throughout 19th century buildings, including another Snedden House next door, built in the Queen Anne Revival style, popular in the 1880s;
• The property’s large side yard.

The additions to the rear of the building and the detached garage are not included in this designation. The trim in the gable end (added in 20th century) is not included in this designation. The interior of the building is not included in this designation.

Objections

Please be advised that any person wishing to object to this designation may do so under the objection process set out in Section 29 (5) of the Ontario Heritage Act by giving the Clerk of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, within 30 days after the online publication of this notice, or before 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

This notice must be sent by registered mail or delivered to the Clerk of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills and must set out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts. If a notice of objection is received, the Council of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills shall consider the objection and make a decision whether or not to withdraw the notice of intention to designate the property within 90 days after the end of the 30-day objection period.

If Council decides not to withdraw its intention to designate, a heritage designation by-law must be passed within 120 days after the date of publication of the notice of intention to designate. Council must publish a Notice of Passing of the designation by-law which is followed by a 30-day appeal period when appeals of the by-law may be given to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a hearing and decision.

For further information, please contact the Development Services and Engineering Department – 613-256-2064 or mplanner@mississippimills.ca.