Churches and other places of worship

Toronto has a long history of Christian Churches dating back to the 1800s, then expanded to Jewish Synagogues in the late 1800's, with Muslim Mosques, as well as Hindu and Buddhist Temples appearing after that. As the demographics of a neighbourhood changed the places of worship left behind often changed to reflect the new groups.

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

1899
to
2014

Avenue Road Church (at Roxborough)

Called Church of the Covenant 1899-ca 1908, then Avenue Rd. Presbyterian (later United) Church. The building then became The Stone Church ca 1935-ca 1939; Turner Tabernacle ca 1940; Avenue Rd. Church of the Nazarene ca 1942-ca 1948; The Avenue Rd. Church ca 1949-ca 1975; Hare Krishna Temple ca 1976.

Follow this link to our 9 entries, dated from 1899 to 2014 related to avenue_road_church_(at_roxborough)

1924
to
1988

Beth Tzedec Synagogue

In 1955 two historic Jewish synagogues amalgamated to form the Beth Tzedec Congregation - Goel Tzedec and Beth HaMidrash. They hired the architect Peter Dickson to design the new temple. Mr. Dickson had arrived in Toronto 5 years earlier from England, designed other famous Toronto buildings like the O'Keefe Centre, the Benvenuto Place apartments, the original Inn on the Park, and five towers in Regent Park. He died of cancer in 1961.

With about 6,000 members, it is now the largest Conservative Jewish congregation in North America.

The last Goel Tzedec synagogue was opened on Feb 3rd, 1907 on the west side of University near Queen St. West just north of the armories, and was demolished in the 1950s.

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1924 to 1988 related to Beth_Tzedec_Synagogue

1845
to
1982

St. Michael's Cathedral

St. Michael's Cathedral was designed by William Thomas in the English Gothic Revival style and was primarily funded by Irish immigrants to Toronto. Construction began in 1845, and it was consecrated three years later, on September 29th, 1848. The 80 metre (260 foot) tower and spire were added in 1865-67 by the firm of Gundry & Langley, and in 1890 the addition of dormers was completed by Joseph Connolly. More information is available in the Wikipedia article.

Follow this link to our 10 entries, dated from 1845 to 1982 related to St_Michaels_Cathedral

1887
to
1983

St. Paul's Basilica

St. Paul's Basilica is home to the oldest Roman Catholic congregation in Toronto, established in 1822. The first church on the site was built of red brick, with the current Italianate or Italian Renaissance-Style structure designed by Joseph Connolly and based on the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. It was dedicated on December 22, 1889, then elevated to "Minor Basilica" status on August 3, 1999, by Pope John Paul II .

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1887 to 1983 related to St_Pauls_Basilica

1907
to
1941

Timothy Eaton Memorial Church

Timothy Eaton's widow, along with his son, Sir John Craig Eaton, donated the land on the north side of St. Clair Avenue West to build a church to honour the department store founder. The church, designed in an English Gothic style, was opened in 1914, and had for a time tennis courts, a lawn bowling green, and even four bowling alleys in the basement.

In 1915 a stained glass reproduction of The Light of the World by English Pre-Raphaelite painter Holman Hunt was installed. On October 17th, 1917, World War One flying ace Billy Bishop married Margaret Burden, a granddaughter of Timothy Eaton, in the church.

Follow this link to our 11 entries, dated from 1907 to 1941 related to Timothy_Eaton_Memorial_Church

Other photos

1872		Interior of St. Andrews Church - earlier building southwest corner of Church and Adelaide Streets 152 years ago - Garden District - Monday, January 15, 1872 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1876		Cathedral Church of St. James in the distance along King Street East 148 years ago - St. Lawrence - Saturday, July 1, 1876 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1887		Sketch of the Horticultural Gardens, pavilion, fountain, and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (now Grace Toronto Church) - Carlton Street 137 years ago - Garden District - 1887 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1890		Bond St. Church, Toronto 134 years ago - Garden District - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1916		St. Johns York Mills Anglican Church - founded 1816 - stone church built 1844 108 years ago - Hoggs Hollow - Sunday, September 10, 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1920		Metropolitan Church (Queen Street, before the 1928 fire) 104 years ago - Garden District - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Westminster Church fire - bystanders looking at frozen Church 104 years ago - Yorkville - Monday, February 2, 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1920		Westminster United Church after Jan 30th 1920 fire 104 years ago - Yorkville - Monday, February 2, 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Westminster (Presbyterian) Church, fire ruins, 49 Bloor east. Toronto, Ont 104 years ago - Yorkville - Monday, February 2, 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1920		Westminster Church fire aftermath - news reel - Bloor East at Park Road 104 years ago - Yorkville - Monday, February 2, 1920 Link to archive record - Map location
1921		Hebrew Men of England Synagogue opening - 327 Spadina Ave. 103 years ago - Chinatown (Spadina Ave) - 1921 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1927		Chestnut Street Synagogue - aka The Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue - Ben Simon (1906-1996) 97 years ago - City Hall - Monday, April 18, 1927 Link to archive record - Map location
1930		Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church under construction on St. Clair Avenue East 94 years ago - Moore Park - Sunday, May 25, 1930 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1932		Church of the Redeemer on Avenue Road looking north from apartment south of Bloor Street through the Alexandra Gates 92 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Thursday, February 18, 1932 Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: -8.9°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1953		Beth Lida Synagogue - for Sale - Cong. Shearith Israel Anshei Lida in Hebrew above the door - 239 Augusta Avenue 71 years ago - Kensington Market - 1953 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1957		Zion Primitive Methodist Church, Finch Avenue E 67 years ago - North York - Friday, February 8, 1957 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1972		Bond Street Church designed by McCaw and E.J. Lennox in 1879 (The Evangel Temple at the time) 52 years ago - Garden District - 1972 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1982		Cathedral Church of St. James, streetcars, Adourians Rug galleries (until at least 2018) and King Street East 42 years ago - St. Lawrence - Wednesday, April 28, 1982 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)