After Hurricane Fiona struck Charlottetown on September 24, 2022, Calvary Church suffered catastrophic damage. The storm’s powerful winds tore off large portions of the church’s roof and downspouts, allowing water to pour in and cause extensive interior damage. The destruction was so severe that the church’s future was in doubt, forcing the board and congregation to consider demolition as a possible outcome.
Immediately after the hurricane, the building was sealed off with chains on the doors, and church leaders began working with engineers and contractors to assess whether anything could be salvaged.
In the weeks following the storm, Calvary Church was hosted by Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cornwall, which allowed them to continue Sunday services and maintain community activities despite the loss of their own building.
The church, alongside local organizations, provided immediate relief to the broader community, distributing grocery cards, portable generators, warm clothing, sleeping bags, and dry goods to those affected by the storm, including homeless individuals whose shelters were destroyed.
Due to the high cost of building materials—caused by limited supply—and the skilled labour shortage that affected the Maritimes in the wake of the COVID pandemic, Calvary Church was unsure if it could afford to repair and renovate the building at 9 Capital Drive in Charlottetown.
The $3.2 million insurance settlement confirmed that Calvary would not be able to recover from the loss quickly. Material and labour costs would have to decrease drastically before the church could be repaired. This reality discouraged many in leadership, and discussions began about selling the property to a developer.
The loss brought on by Fiona deeply affected the entire congregation, as the church was not only an iconic structure at a major city intersection but also a place of significant emotional and spiritual importance.
For 30 months, the building was left exposed to the elements while negotiations with a developer took place. During this time, the damage
increased exponentially, leading many to believe that the building was now beyond repair.
After much prayer, research, and a change in pastoral leadership, in February 2025 the congregation voted to repair and renovate the building at 9 Capital Drive. It was also decided that the church would no longer meet at Cornerstone Baptist but would lease an exclusive temporary location in downtown Charlottetown. On March 16, 2025, Calvary began holding Sunday morning services at 31 Queen St. Since then, they have offered two Sunday morning services with an average attendance of 193.
As soon as weather permitted, repairs began on the roof of Calvary Church in the spring of 2025, followed by extensive interior work. The building needed to be completely gutted to the steel and concrete structure to eradicate mold and abate asbestos.
The church is now awaiting architectural drawings and hopes to soon establish a timeline for a potential completion date.
The congregation is grateful for the opportunity to repair and renovate the property they have called home since 1979 and believes that their mission in the community will continue to grow in the years ahead.