July 12, 2022, STRATFORD -- On June 30th, 2022, the BMI Group completed a sale agreement with the congregation of Knox Presbyterian Church and signed separate lease agreements with both the church and the Stratford Arts and Culture Collective (SACC) related to future use of the church property.
Today, BMI announced a new name for the church property. In the future, the much-loved building at the corner of Ontario and Waterloo Streets will be known as Copperlight, a name that reflects the architecture of the building and the light that pours into the space. The Knox congregation will continue to meet at the church for worship and will continue its community outreach activities such as the Cancer Care Mission that includes the Wigs and Accessories Room, community meal preparation and congregational life activities through the week.
These exciting future plans for Knox are the result of many conversations about how to protect one of Stratford’s cherished heritage sites and create opportunities for other community uses. In recent years, SACC and the Knox congregation had evolved a shared belief that the main sanctuary of the church could be converted into a much-needed space for the performing arts. With the building purchase and other planned improvements, BMI has delivered the investment required to make that dream possible.In the end, the values and vision of the BMI Group aligned with how the Knox congregation and SACC envisioned a re-purposed church.
