History of Our Building

In 1842 the Baptist congregation of Dundas built a brick church on Park St. West, and seven years later a baptistry was added.

In 1866, after the church was destroyed by a fired that started in the carpentry shop to the east, the congregation was able to purchase adjoining land to the west and construct a new sanctuary. A Sunday School was later built on the foundation of the original church and in 1868 a parsonage was erected at 104 Park St. West the site of the carpentry shop.

In 1904 the plain glass of the church windows was replaced with simple stained glass, and over the years, additions have been added to the rear and to join the Sunday School to the sanctuary.

The Dundas Baptist congregation moved to a new building in 2001 and the church buildings were then used by the Dundas Valley Montessori School.

In the summer of 2009, the building was purchased by Max Ratevosian and the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts was founded.

Renovations began and the Ballet Studio and classrooms were completed. Future plans include renovation of the stage and performance space.