Builder hopes to turn former People’s Church into Ridgeway landmark
October 16, 2026 at 3:33 AM
Though his to-do list remains long, and more items seem to get added daily, a Fort Erie builder is excited at the idea of breathing new life into a historic Ridgeway church property.
“I’m dying to get going. Because when do you get to do something like this? For 150 years no one’s touched this…and now we have an opportunity to build something great,” Bryan Keenan said at an October 18 open house introducing plans for a commercial infill project at the former People’s Memorial United Church on Ridge Road.
Keenan initially didn’t have any plans for the church. He was sitting at nearby 335 on the Ridge having a glass of wine when he heard a rumour the church–which closed back in 2023–had been sold. The rumours turned out to be premature, though the first nugget of a plan began to form in Keenan’s mind.
Eventually the price tag for the church reached a point where Keenan felt comfortable. Then the neighbouring property became available and the plans evolved.
Bryan Keenan closed on the former church, located in Ridgeway, in September of 2025. Credit: Royal LePage NRC Realty, BrokerageWhat Keenan and his consulting team presented at the open house was a primarily commercial build with 11 residential units upstairs. It includes adaptive reuse of the church building, with Keenan saying he’s eager to preserve as much of the heritage as possible, going above and beyond what’s protected by heritage designation.
“There are attributes on the heritage bylaw that we’re going to protect,” he said.
The church dates back to 1872, with several historical features, including stained glass, unique period windows and wainscotting. There’s even a church organ they plan to keep.
What specific businesses would go into the building have yet to be determined, but Keenan foresees small independent stores that won’t compete with existing businesses in Ridgeway but instead add more reasons to come visit the downtown area. There are also plans for a small event space, which could make the property ideal for a new restaurant.
“When you pull into Ridgeway, it’s going to be a landmark,” he said.
Residents at the open house had a chance to ask questions. Several revolved around plans to protect the heritage, as well as parking. Consultants said they plan to meet existing parking requirements and won’t be seeking amendments on that front.
Keenan said they’ve already completed several studies on the proposal, though there remain plenty of steps left before the project is approved, including a public meeting at council and then a staff recommendation report. It could take three to five years to get the necessary approvals and permits, though Keenan said he’s eager to get going as soon as possible.
However, he also said he’s open to community feedback and wants to listen to what residents and neighbours have to say.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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