SACRED STONES AND STEEPLES
Royal Ontario Museum
Department of Museum Volunteers
ROMWALK
SACRED STONES AND STEEPLES
Original walk 1986, Newly Revised 2008
List of Stops
1. St. James’ Cathedral 1853
2. Metropolitan United Church 1870 & 1928
- Entrance to St. Michael’s Hospital
3. St. Michael’s Cathedral 1845
- St. Michael’s Choir School
4. Mackenzie House
5. The Downtown Mosque
6. First Lutheran Church 1898
7. St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church
formerly Holy Blossom Temple 1897
8. Ryerson University (Normal School 1851)
Royal Ontario Museum
Department of Museum Volunteers
ROMWALK
Revised 2008
SACRED STONES & STEEPLES
MEETING PLACE: St. James Cathedral, King St. East
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Tourer: best vantage point -- across from the Cathedral at the gate of the Toronto Sculpture Garden – or – stand at the south-west corner of the cathedral grounds.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Welcome to ROMwalk – an outreach program of the Department of Museum Volunteers which began in 1980. Since then, we have developed many walking tours in downtown Toronto, focusing on Toronto's built heritage and its people. Our brochures give you a list of the walks & dates for this season.
INTRODUCTION TO SACRED STONES & STEEPLES WALK
Our title, Sacred Stones & Steeples, indicates that this walk focuses on the several places of worship in this area, all from different denominations & all dating from the 19th century when churches were the most prestigious buildings in the city.
We start here at the corner of King & Church Streets with the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. James, then walk up to Queen St. to the Metropolitan United Church (originally Methodist) and continue up Bond St. to look at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, the First Lutheran Church & St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, whose building was originally the home of the Jewish Holy Blossom Temple. A new addition to the walk is the Downtown Mosque, also on Bond St., reminding us that Toronto today has become a multi-faith community.
We finish at Ryerson University on Gould St. – not a church but whose founder & namesake, Egerton Ryerson, is linked closely with the Methodist faith. Ryerson & Bishop John Strachan of the Anglican diocese were two of the most prominent figures of 19th C Toronto who opposed each other on political & religious grounds but both were influential in the field of education & the support of the public good.
The tour will focus on the exterior structure of the places of worship. However, there may be an opportunity to view the interior of some of the buildings.
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION
As part of the introduction to the walk mention the emphasis on the War of 1812. Use the “Summary of War of 1812” below prepared by Mary as a background. ** indicate most important elements.
Summary of War of 1812
** The War of 1812 began on July 18, 1812 when the United States, under President Madison, declared war on Britain and its colony, Canada. It was to last until the Treaty of Ghent brought the war to an end on Dec. 24, 1814 (but the Battle of New Orleans did technically take place after the war).
** The Americans had several reasons for wanting a war with Britain. First, due to the Napoleonic Wars taking place between Britain and France, American shipping was being affected. The French wanted to stop any neutral country from trading with Britain so they basically forbid the entry into any European port under their control of a ship that had made a stop at any British port. The British, with a very strong navy, imposed the Orders in Council which required ships to put into a British port before doing any trade with Europe. Thus American ships were being prevented from freely carrying out trade with Europe. As well, the British policy of impressment meant they were going on board American ships and removing any “British” sailors they found. Of course, this was greatly annoying to the Americans. Another reason was the fact that American settlers moving west were meeting opposition from First Nations groups. Americans believed that the First Nations groups were being sold/traded arms by the British. Lastly, there was a young group of American politicians, the “War Hawks”, who pushed for war.
The two and a half years of battle took place mostly in Upper Canada. The odds should have been in favour of an American victory. A nation of 7.5 million was going to battle a nation of 75,000. Also, many of the settlers in Upper Canada were originally from the United States and so their loyalty when the war began could have been an issue. There were many battles fought on land and on the Great Lakes but there was no decisive victory on either part. As well, Britain could spare few soldiers, warships and supplies to support the war in its Canada because of the continued war with France.
A few heroes emerged on both sides such as Sir Isaac Brock and Laura Secord for Canada and Dolly Madison for the Americans. Brock led the British/Canadian forces in the first few months of the war but was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Secord is said to have overheard American officers plan an attack and travelled far to war FitzGibbon at Beaver Dams. Dolly Madison is credited with saving things from the White House before it was burned by invading British forces in the attack on Washington in 1814.
** The war came to Toronto on April 27th, 1813. The little town of about 650 inhabitants was weakly defended. (see other attachment) The Americans invaded the town, burning, looting and pillaging before they left after about 5 days. They came back a second time in August, but they only stayed for a few days.
As the Napoleonic Wars ended, the Americans knew that Britain could now turn its attention to supporting its colony, Canada. Also, the American people were losing support for the war that had not turned out to be “a mere matter of marching”. The Treaty of Ghent, thus, brought the war to an end. Neither said gained much from it.
The walk will last about an hour and a half.
Before leaving this area, notice some of the oldest buildings in Toronto are still standing on the south side of the King Street right in this block. They date from the 1840s & give us an idea of what the city looked like when St. James was built.
1. THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JAMES (4th church on site)
King St. East at Church St.
Architect: Frederic Cumberland
Date: 1853 (completed 1874 by Henry Langley)
Architecture/ Exterior
1. Style – Gothic Revival. A very fine example of this style, which by the mid-century was the preferred ecclesiastical architectural style in England. After an international competition, Frederic Cumberland, a recent English immigrant, was chosen for his rich sense of this ecclesiastical Gothic. Salisbury Cathedral in England was said to be an inspiration.
2. Characterized by Gothic lancet windows, pointed arches, buttresses, pinnacles & finials & of course the spire, which was not completed until 1874. Building gives a feeling of lightness & leads eye upwards towards heaven.
3. The exterior architecture reflects the interior of the building with its 5-sided chancel.
4. Built of Toronto yellow brick with Ohio sandstone trim. Originally in England, churches had to be of stone but in North America by this time, brick was acceptable.
5. It was oriented North/South (since the 1818 church) unlike the more usual East/West for churches where the altar was usually in the east.
6. With the addition of the spire, the cathedral was 324 ft. (almost 100 m.) high from the ground to the tip of the weathervane, for many years the tallest building in the city & a landmark for ships coming in to the harbour. It is still the highest cathedral in Canada, second only to St. Patrick’s in North America & third after Salisbury & Norwich Cathedrals in England.
7. The clock was added in 1875 - a gift from the people of Toronto & still maintained by the city. It is connected to a set of ten bells which chime on the quarter hour (like Big Ben at Westminster in London, England).
8. A peal of twelve change-ringing bells was added in 1997 to mark the bicentenary. They are rung every Sunday morning between 10 & 11 a.m. as well as on special occasions. The bells rung before the 9 & after the 11 a.m. services on Sundays are the carillon.
9. The architectural firm of Cumberland & Storm was one of the foremost architectural firms in Toronto in the later 19h century. Cumberland also designed the Seventh Toronto Post Office & the York County Court House, both within a block of the Cathedral; as well as University College in the University of Toronto; the central block of Osgoode Hall and the Normal School whose façade is now at the centre of the Ryerson campus.
[Walker: Move group at this point – perhaps to the interior of the West Porch where there are pictures of the historical church buildings. It may not always possible to gain entry to the church buildings on this walk, especially on Wednesday evenings.]
Link. Unlike most of our ROMwalks where we do not go into the historic buildings, in this case we will take the time to show you some of the interior of St. James.
Historical Background (use pictures on wall)
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION
Role of the Church of England
- Constitutional Act of 1791 Simcoe established the Church of England as the fixed form of worship
- There would be mutual ties between the State and Church
- There would be financial endowments from the State to the Church and the church would support the State
- Church would ensure loyalty to the Crown esp. with new immigrants
- Church would have dominance in Education to help ensure loyalty
- 1/7 of Crown land was set aside for the support of the C of E clergy
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1793. The town of York established by the new Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe, as the capital of the new province of Upper Canada. This area was the heart of the new town with the market & government buildings to the south east of here.
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION ** Indicates most important elements
John Graves Simcoe 1752-1806
- British army officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783
- Commander of several Loyalist units including the Queen’s Rangers who defended the Crown fighting with British forces against American Revolutionaries **
- After the war he returned to his estate in Devon England and became an MP
- In 1791 he was appointed the first Governor of the new colony of Upper Canada (Ontario)**
- He was convinced that war would soon break out between G. B. and the US. He was correct that Upper Canada would be invaded…except it took place 20 years later than he expected **
- To prepare for the invasion he constructed a series of forts..one in his new capital York (now Toronto)
- Simcoe founded some settlements of Loyalists, Americans who left the new United States after the Revolutionary War and moved to Upper Canada to remain under the Crown. Simcoe believed that many more Americans wanted to reject Republicanism and embrace British Parliamentary Government **
- He encouraged immigration to Upper Canada by Americans by offering free land grants and many took up the offer
- These “late” Loyalists may have wanted life under the Crown but all wanted the free land.
- Simcoe believes, as did many Tories, that the major cause of the American Revolution was too great a tlolearance of diversity of religion and politics.
- To counter this in Upper Canada he promoted a “Little England” policy of Unity. One Empire…British. One King…George III. One Church…the Church of England…in Upper Canada governed by a Royal Governor aided by a strong appointed Executive Council of wealthy and educated men and a loyal if limited elected Assembly. **
This policy continued after Simcoe left Upper Canada and as a result a society of Empire Loyalties and late Loyalist becoming distinct from their American cousins but still with enough family connections so that the War of 1812 can be viewed as a Civil War.
1797. The colonial government set aside this tract of land (over 6 acres), bounded by Church, Jarvis, King & Adelaide Sts. for the Church of England, although, for a few years, services were still held in Government buildings.
1803 First church. Soldiers of the garrison at Fort York started to put up a wooden frame for the first church on this site, built on an east/west axis & completed in 1807. Known as “The Church at York”.
1812. John Strachan appointed “officiating minister” at York, school master & chaplain to the garrison.
1812-14. War with U.S. Town of York invaded. Church used as a military hospital. Wounded were brought from all over. Called “The General Hospital” – a forerunner of Toronto General
1818. Church greatly enlarged, entrance moved to King St., painted blue with white trim (matching school house); tin spire with bell added. Whole building shook when bell pealed. Used as fire bell for the town.
1828. Dedicated to St. James the Apostle.
1832 – 39. Second church. Built of stone. Burned down.
1839. The Rev. John Strachan consecrated first Bishop of Toronto. New church would therefore be Cathedral – seat of diocese.
1839 – 49. Third church. Neo-classical revival style with tower & wooden spire. Much larger, able to seat 2000.
1849. Great Fire destroyed new cathedral (spire ignited & church burnt to ground) as well as much of town, including market & first city hall to the east. Buildings on south side of King St. survived.
1849 Controversy over rebuilding. Some wanted church to front on Adelaide & sell or lease King St. frontage. Civic protest overruled this. New building to be in middle of grounds so no chance to sell or divide property at later date. International architectural competition held. Won by Frederic Cumberland.
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION ** indicates most important elements
Events of the Invasion of York might be mentioned inside the cathedral—unless there is an organ rehearsal—maybe after pointing out the military colours. Use Mary’s “The Battle of York” below as background. Get folks to sit in the pews.
Additionally, the church was used as a hospital and it was looted
Battle of York -April 27, 1813 - SUMMARY
Early on the evening of April 26, 1813, an American fleet of 14 ships was seen approaching York. The American ships, carrying about 1,750 troops & 900 sailors, attacked the town the next morning. After five days, they reboarded their ships & left.**
The town was lightly defended – only about 300 regulars, under Sheaffe were there along with 350 militia & about 50-60 First Nations warriors. They had few cannon which were old & fixed in place. The fort was incomplete with weak fortifications.
Below is the sequence of events: (for a list of locations associated with the invasion. (see attachment)
1. On the morning of April 27, the American fleet heads to a landing at Old Fort Toronto(CNE grounds) but is blown by a strong wind westward to what is now Sunnyside Beach. Here they disembark, meet small resistance, and head east toward the garrison at Fort York & the town itself.
2. The American soldiers march towards the Western Battery. As they march their fifes & drums play “Yankee Doodle”. At the Western Battery Sheaffe plans to make a stand but a travelling magazine explodes injuring British regulars & Sheaffe orders the rest to fall back to the garrison area at Fort York. **
3. At the fort, Sheaffe realizes that he cannot win this battle, so he calls for a retreat of his regulars to Kingston. He instructs the militia to make surrender terms with the Americans. He also orders that the Grand Magazine (storing military supplies), be blown up to prevent it from getting into American hands. The resulting explosion kills & wounds many Americans, including Brigadier-General Pike, the leader of the invasion force. The Americans are angry. **
4. The militia leaders, along with Rev. John Strachan, attempt to negotiate a capitulation but it is not ratified until later.
5. American soldiers now march on the defenceless town of York, population approximately 650 inhabitants. Many of the men (who had been called to the militia) were gone by then and many of the homes and businesses are deserted. The Americans, despite the fact that their own leader, Pike, had told them to refrain from destroying & looting private property, do exactly that. Many of the private homes & businesses are looted and even the public buildings are burned after they had been pillaged. The Americans also release prisoners from jails some of whom join into the bedlam. There were also some inhabitants of York who took advantage of the situation and joined in as well. Included in the burned building are the two house Parliament buildings. This goes on until May 2. **
6. On May 1st and 2nd, the American soldiers are ordered back onto their ships preparatory to leaving. However, the weather holds them up and they don’t leave the harbour until May 8th.
7. On July 31st, the Americans return and continue the looting as well as burn whatever military buildings they had left standing.
[Walker: Indicate bust of John Strachan in West Porch. Move group up west side of nave to view stained glass window commemorating Strachan. No need to tell visitors all of the following]
Interior of St. James’ Cathedral
John Strachan, Bishop of Toronto. 1778 – 1867
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION ** indicates most important elements
John Strachan role in the Battle-near statue or by window
Use as part of the information about his life and influence
- Strachan was also chaplain to the garrison and Legislative Assembly
- Strachan was part of the group that developed the terms of capitulation (how the town and its people and property would be treated and how the captured members of the military and militia would be treated)**
- When Major Allen was made a prisoner even though he was under a flag of truce, “Strachan was infuriated and marty-like, accompanied Allan to the centre of town in the middle of an enemy column. There is little doubt that Strachan was glorying in this situation and his vocation meant that the Americans could do little with him.” THE CAPTURE OF YORK
- Strachan went to the Americans to ensure that the prisoners had food and the wounded had medical attention **
- Strachan demanded to see General Dearborn to ensure the articles of capitulations were signed, that the militia was paroled and that the wounded would be removed from imprisonment. Dearborn told Strachan to leave him alone
- Strachan searched for Chauncey (head of the American naval fleet) to get the articles signed. Strachan indicated that if they were not signed it would be inferred that it was a plot to allow looting or private property since private property would not be safe until the articles were singed. Strachan informed Chauncey he would not allow this to happen. “It is difficult at this point to understand precisely who had won and who had lost in the battle of the precious day.” THE CAPTURE OF YORK **
- Dearborn signed the articles
- Strachan had stood up to the Americans, he had been British**
- One sources of his later and greater status was that he had not been cowed by Yankee republicans. He had taken charge when British authority had seemed to be disappearing with the retreating Sheaffe. “Strachan with Sheaffe gone, had the centre of the stage and the view was much better than from the wings. He could see and be seen.” THE CAPTURE OF YORK **
- After the war he was to take charge in a very real fashion in the form of the Family Compact. **
- b. Aberdeen, Scotland, son of a stone mason. Emigrated to Upper Canada. 1804 ordained into Church of England.
- Married wealthy young widow, Annie Wood McGill. Strachan later convinced James McGill, his brother-in-law, to charter McGill University
- Opened school at Cornwall. Taught sons of prominent families
- 1812 Appointed to Church at York
- War of 1812. Defended people of York. Confronted American General Dearbon to stop looting & sign articles of truce. As a result of his heroic acts, he was appointed to Executive Council of Upper Canada.
- 1816. The “Blue School”, a 2 storey schoolhouse north of church. (later became Jarvis Collegiate). Strong interest in education – under control of established Church of England.
- 1826. Preached sermon in defence of “clergy reserves” (blocks of land set aside for Church of England). Offended other denominations. Egerton Ryerson’s famous response in Colonial Advocate. A matter of very strong feelings in colonial society.
- Strachan’s aim for Upper Canada was for it to be a mirror of England with a ruling oligarchy. Fear of American democracy.
- 1827 to England. Obtained royal charter to establish the University of King’s College, as an Anglican institution of higher learning in Upper Canada. In 1850 this was secularized to become the non-denominational University College.
- Cholera epidemic of 1832. Strachan worked tirelessly to fight it , like it “was a Yankee virus”.
- 1839 Became first Anglican Bishop of Toronto. Instrumental in getting funds to rebuild after both fires.
- After 1841 Act of Union, his political influence waned.
- 1853 Secured a second Royal Charter for a new university – to be run by the Church of England – Trinity College.
- 1867 Strachan died in 90th year. Massive funeral. Buried in crypt underneath chancel in St. James.
- Quote from wall plaque “His conspicuous labours, foresight and constancy in the service of the church and of the Commonwealth (sic) as an educator, as a minister of religion, as a statesman, form an important portion of the early history of western (sic) Canada.” (During Strachan’s later years, the city of Toronto was in Canada West until Confederation in 1867, the year of his death, when it became Ontario).
[Walker; This information on Strachan may be given in the porch or by the memorial window and drastically shortened, if necessary]
Stained Glass in the Cathedral
“Calling of St. James”. West Porch. Artist Stuart Reid. 1997
- A memorial for the Governor General’s Horse Guards, unveiled By Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.
- Depicts apostles James & his brother John as they step out of their father’s boat in response to Christ’s beckoning. (centre & left windows)
- Their father Zebedee is left behind with his servant. (right window)
- Symbolic – leaving home & stepping into the unknown
- The fish symbol worked into the design represents Christ, who is not otherwise indicated.
- Colours accentuate symbolism. Dominant red of centre panel (colour of blood & martyrdom & courage); blue, spirit & faith.
Link. We will now move up the nave of the cathedral to view some of the older stained glass windows & other points of interest.
Stained Glass Windows in the Nave
- Nave windows were planned by Canon Welch (1899 – 1909) & mostly executed by Clayton & Bell of Birmingham, England.
- Theme – traces the path by which the Christian faith came from Roman Palestine to this present time & place. Begins on right (east) side of nave, from north to south & continues on left (west) side from south to north.
- Clayton & Bell windows characterized by three angels across bottom (e.g. on King Alfred window on west side at south end).
- Mid-West Porch. Windows by Yvonne Williams (1920s) & Rosemary Kilborn. Left window – 1) 1807 Church at York 2) present cathedral 3) northern missions: a Cree Indian, an Inuit & a bush pilot. Centre window – Mary Magdalene & her companions coming to Christ’s empty tomb on Easter morning. Right window – 1) arms of the Cathedral 2) the Call of St. James & 3) emblem of the Anglican Congress of 1963.
- The marble font is the one furnishing to survive the fire of 1849.
- Last window on west side is the Strachan memorial window. Appointed first Bishop of new diocese of Toronto in 1839. Shown presiding over his first diocesan synod and, above, between views of St. James Cathedral & the original Trinity College on Queen St. West (only gates now stand).
Stained Glass Windows in the Chancel
- Chancel windows are by Mayer Glass of Munich, Germany & date from 1880s. Central window depicts Last Supper & Christ’s Ascension. Inspired by paintings by Da Vinci & Raphael.
- Left side – the four Major Prophets & series of six parables from the Gospels.
- Right side – 5 “works of mercy” & the four Evangelists
- Ceiling of Chancel painted by Gustav Hahn. (See leaflet “Sacred Places”
Windows in east side of nave.
- Lady Altar Chapel at north end of right (east) side to the right of the chancel. The “Pentecost Window” (first large window) is by Edward Sperry, who worked for Tiffany of New York for ten years before forming the Church Glass Company with others. The glass is Tiffany glass i.e. it is opalescent which does not let light shine through. (Corey Keeble says it is “Tiffany-style”). In memory of William Jarvis, first Registrar of Upper Canada & Diane Jarvis, whose name can be seen on the glass. Shows coming of Holy Ghost to the Apostles at Pentecost. (See Addendum from Nancy Mallett).
The Mid-East Porch – The Baptistry
- On wall to left is a replica of the Saxon Cross at Canterbury Cathedral, believed to date from the 8th century. Sent to all Commonwealth cathedrals in 1932 by ‘Friends of Canterbury Cathedral’.
- Note hanging illustrating the Trinity, designed and stitched by Doris McCarthy.
- Original porch converted into the present Baptistry in 1891 by Samuel & Edith Nordheimer in memory of two of their sons who died of diptheria in childhood. Names are carved into the gates. The font, cast in bell metal, is large enough for infant immersion.
- Samuel Nordheimer & his brother Abraham were from Jewish family who had immigrated to Toronto in 1844. Set up successful music business. Samuel converted to Anglican faith. He later married Edith Boulton. They had 11 children, all of whom were baptized in St. James.
St. George’s Chapel 1935 (south-east corner)
- A gift of Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Cawthra. Commemorates the Silver Jubilee of King George V, a well-beloved monarch who completed his 25th year on the throne in 1935.
- South window shows him in his crown & royal robes surrounded by figures representing the many peoples of his vast empire.
- Altar window, one of the finest in the Cathedral, shows Christ crowned & robed, reigning from the Cross.
- Altar is free standing so that celebrant can face the people – a return to the custom of the early church.
- Window shows image of St. George & the Dragon.
Tower, Bells & Clock
- Spiral stairway at rear of St. George’s chapel leads to the nave gallery & tower (out of bounds)
- Bells. Peal consists of 10 bells, originally from the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, England. They were hung in 1865 when the tower was completed, They weigh over 18,000 lbs. They are rung in the traditional English changes, requiring bell ringers.
- The carillon bells came from Meneely & Sons of Troy, New York. (See Addendum)
- Clock was made by Benson’s of London & took first prize in the Vienna Exhibition of 1873. Two years later, it was bought for Cathedral by citizens of Toronto. It plays the Westminster chimes, like Big Ben in London.
- To celebrate the bicentenary in 1997, a peal of 12 change-ringing bells was installed (the original 10 retuned & 2 additional ones).
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION
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- note the two large brass plaques in St. James that commemorate the Loyalist Ryerson Family. The son of one of these Loyalists, Egerton Ryerson, enraged his family by becoming a Methodist minister
[Walker: exit via the main entrance at the south end. Stop in porch.]
Link. Some tombstones from St. James graveyard were placed in the new porch. Three are of note here. (A few bodies were moved to St. James’ Cemetery on Parliament St. but the grounds around the Cathedral still house a cemetery with probably as many as 2,000 bodies.)
Tombstones in South Porch
- The Hon. Thomas Ridout, Surveyor General of Upper Canada. One of the best headstones from point of view of design & beauty of lettering.
- His son, John Ridout, killed in the last duel in Toronto in 1817 - “died of a blight”. His adversary was Samuel Peters Jarvis, son of the former Provincial Secretary, William Jarvis. Both very prominent families in early Town of York. Although only 18, John Ridout was a veteran of the War of 1812 where he evidently committed himself well. In spite of the glowing description on his headstone however, even one of his descendents says that he was short-tempered, bellicose & unpleasant. Fight was over an alleged insult to Ridout’s mother and/or over a money issue. Ridout was killed by a pistol shot. After his death, his mother stood on the steps of the Cathedral each Sunday, cursing the Jarvis family.
- On the opposite side of the porch is a headstone commemorating William Butcher who died in 1839 after a fall from the spire.
19th Century Garden in St. James Park.
- St. James’ Park was part of the original land grant to the Church. It had become densely overbuilt. Finally, in 1958, it was sold to he City at a nominal amount on the condition that it be made into a park for everyone to enjoy. Initial 19th garden installed in 1981 & maintained by Garden Club of Toronto. Restored in 2007.
Stone Preaching Cross (south-west corner of grounds)
- Sproatt & Rolph. 1924
- In memory of parishioners who died in the First World War.
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION ** indicate most important elements
Consequences of the war
- Contributed to the growth of the Family Compact**
o British military and civil administrator (Sheaffe) left the city to the enemy
Dissatisfaction with the leadership and support of the British military. “The General with his troops pushed on for Kingston and left us all standing in the street like a parcel of sheep.” CAPITAL IN FLAMES
Leading members of the community had to deal with capitulation and aftermath of the invasion**
- Establishment of the Loyal and Patriotic Society to assist veterans who were wounded and needed support and families left without support. The didea came from Elizabeth Selby. Some of the monies were later used to fund hospital on King Street, which later became the Toronto General Hospital. ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
- Government buildings burned, military stores destroyed and public monies lost**
- Looting of private property but some town people were impressed with the conduct of the Americans—distribution of goods, good conduct of troops and use of troops to protect property
- Americans opened jails both times they were in York. Some who were released assisted the Americans.
- Some problems in Upper Canada became more evident**
o Tools and farming implements brought to the province for distribution among settlers were locked away in the blockhouse. Only given out to government favorites. When Americans invaded they distributed these implements more widely.
Public monies were being wasted
Government favorites were selected for public posts
Government favorites and the church were given large land grants, which were left unavailable to settlers and undeveloped
o There were a large number of former American settlers. Their loyalty was questionable. Government discouraged American Immigration after the War and instructed the Lt. Gov not to grant land to Americans or administer the oath of allegiance. The government sought to populate Upper Canada with people whose loyalty could be relied upon. A number of British regiments were disbanded n Upper Canada and the men were given land. Emigration from Britain was encouraged and financed. **
- Strachan leadership ensured as well as his point of view**
o Anti-American and American democracy**
o Anti-Methodists **
o Only one established Church that should control clergy reserves
o York as little England with ruling oligarchy (Family Compact)**
Link. We have spent rather a long time talking about St. James’ Cathedral but it is one of the historically most important buildings in the city. We will now leave the Anglican Cathedral & walk a few blocks north to the so-called ‘Cathedral of Methodism”.
Bibliography
Former scripts of Sacred Stones & Steeples
W. G. Cooke – A Short Guide to the Cathedral Church of St. James
Website.
Notes from Nancy Mallett, St. James’ Cathedral Archivist
Sacred Places. A Garden and a Great Cathedral
2. METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH
(Originally Metropolitan Wesleyan Methodist Church)
56 Queen St. East, between Bond St. & Church St.
Architect: Henry Langley Date: 1870 - 73
J. Gibb Morton (Rebuilt after fire) 1928 - 29
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION **indicate important elements
Outside Metropolitan United
- Note original name was Wesleyan –make association with British branch not American**
- Early Methodists were from originally from the US but were UEL and settled near Bay of Quinte
- Some of the early circuit riders were American. During the American Revolution most of the C of E clergy left the US.
- First C of E missionaries to York were familiar with the Methodists and relations were good **
- By 1810 there were 12 church buildings for the Methodist Episcopal Church in Upper Canada
- Strachan’s background was Calvinist Scottish and had no understanding of Methodism. “He considered Methodism to be a radical, sectarian movement, interpreting religious enthusiasm a s fanaticism. His hostility continued unabated until his death in 1867” FIRM FOUNDATION**
- During the War of 1812 many American citizens and American Methodists preachers serving Upper Canada returned to the US**
- On the day of the invasion, Dr. Thomas Stoyell, a Methodist, refused to bear arms against the American soldiers. From that day and for the next 20 years, Strachen labeled the Methodists in York as Yankee republicans. FIRM FOUNDATION**
- Methodists of York held not meeting from 1813 until the end of the war 1815
- After close of Napoleonic Wars emigrants from British Isles began to settle in Upper Canada. Many of the newcomers were devoted Methodists**
- In an attempt to put an end to the chapel’s reputation as a Yankee meeting house the Canada Conference was formed in 1824
Architecture/Exterior
- Architect of the original building was Henry Langley, who as we have seen, was at the same time responsible for the tower & spire of St. James’ Cathedral. He was the most prominent architect working in Toronto in the 1870s.
- His buildings feature on several of our ROMwalks & include The Royal Conservatory of Music (McMaster College); the Bank of British North America; the Necropolis Chapel.
- Langley won competition held throughout Canada & the U.S.
- New church was intended to serve the entire Canada Conference of Methodists. Was meant to be sumptuous, noble & stately & hold its own with the other two cathedrals already built in the same neighbourhood.
- Langley’s design resembled a 14th century French Gothic cathedral with its central pinnacled tower at the main entrance. Its size & its architectural style led to its being called Canada’s “cathedral of Methodism.”
- Distinctive tower is almost all that was left standing after the fire. It is richly decorated in high Victorian style
- White brick with stone.
- Tower is 30’ square-spiky silhouette against the sky.
- “All three (cathedrals) have towers by Langley but Metropolitan’s remains the best, its heroic proportions and firmness restored after a devastating fire of 1928.” Patricia McHugh.
- Tower constructed to accommodate enormous weight of a carillon. Largest bell weighs 8,456 lbs. & is 6 ft. in diameter. Walls at base are 7 ft. thick.
- After the fire in 1928, all that remained standing was the tower with its 23 bell carillon, the narthex, the rear portion of the balcony & the brick walls. it was decided to rebuild within the remaining walls & redesign the interior.
- Langley’s original interior reflected the auditorium-oriented worship practices of late 19th C. Methodism.
- Gibb Morton’s 1920s building has a deep chancel & stained glass windows.
- Exterior given deeply recessed windows, sharply contoured buttresses
- 1873 after completion of church, two acres of ground was landscaped as semi-
public park with flower beds, ornamental trees-bounded by cast iron fence in simple Gothic Revival pattern designed by Langley. Fence was removed in 1961-“unfortunate loss” (Dendy). Section survives in front of Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton. This building is part of our Yorkville ROMwalk.
Note to Tourer. Do not keep your group standing in one place for too long. This might be a good time to move them to another spot.
History of Methodism
- Methodists was originally a nickname applied to a revival movement in 18th century England, based within the Church of England and led by, among others, the brothers John and Charles Wesley.
- John Wesley’ (1703 – 1791). After his personal experience of grace, he felt that real religion should be not formal but experienced. When he started preaching this, pulpits were closed to him & he began to preach outdoors. Attracted huge crowds. “I look upon the whole world as my parish”. Characterized by impassioned preaching & heartfelt song. Charles set many texts to old tunes & his hymns are considered some of finest ever written.
- Methodism emphasized personal experience of conversion, assurance and sanctification. Justification was by faith alone, with good works as the testimony and test of faith and therefore a condition of final salvation.
(See Addendum).
Methodism in Canada
- The icon of Methodism is a silhouette of a rider with a book in hand. This became the trademark of Methodist preachers in North America. They were grouped into circuits.
- Methodism came to Upper Canada with the United Empire Loyalists in Bay of Quinte area. Circuit riders traveled constantly, stopping to preach in every community, trusting to luck for food & lodging. Often the only sellers of books in rural areas.
- By 1795 the first Methodist missionary (Rev. Elijah Woolsey) reached the town of York (later to be Toronto),
- Mid 1800s were the years of conflict between Egerton Ryerson who had become a Methodist leader in Toronto & Bishop John Strachan, the establishment figure. Ryerson was the younger by 25 years. Conflict was carried on in print & in sermons & involved mostly the issue of church lands & the primary position of the Anglican church. Both were interested in education. We will hear more of Ryerson later in the walk.
- By the census of 1871, there were more Methodists in Ontario than either Church of England adherents or Roman Catholics.
- In 1925, various Protestant communities, mostly Methodists, Congregationalists & some Presbyterians, joined to form the United Church of Canada. When the church was rebuilt, it therefore took the name of the Metropolitan United Church.
Historical Background to Metropolitan Methodist Church in Toronto
- 1818. First Methodist chapel in Toronto. A wooden building near King & Bay. There is a plaque on the east side of the Bank of Commerce building. (Citadels of Wealth ROMwalk).
- 1832. A Neo-Georgian building erected at Toronto & Adelaide Sts. which could seat 1000. Wesleyan Methodists wanted to move closer to upper Jarvis St. area where many members lived. Methodist community was becoming more numerous & prosperous.
- By early 1870s, when new splendid “cathedral” was planned, this was visible evidence of the commercial prosperity and increasing social and political importance of certain Methodists. (Wm. Dendy).
Site of New Church.
- Part of land known as McGill Square (see photo). Subdivided in 1840 & Roman Catholics purchased northern portion. Southern portion had been tentatively reserved as a public square but later purchased.
(Tourer. If possible, move group to interior.)
Interior
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION ** indicates most important elements
Inside Metropolitan United
- Issue of the clergy reserves
o Clergy reserve and Crown reserves took up 2/7 of each township
o Land speculators, many of them government officials grabbed large parcel of land and much was held in uncultivated state. As a result only a small part of the township could be settled. Farmers were not only isolated from each other but they also bore the tax burden because only cultivated land was taxed.
o Strachan felt monies should go to C of E but other Protestant religions did not agree. He thought that if other groups got monies from the reserves they would expand and created more religious animosity. He felt that the Methodists were Yankees who were infiltrated the province, buying land, converting people prior to annexation**
o Strachan supported the idea of higher education paid for by sale of clergy reserves by preaching sermon that put down the quality and loyalty of the Methodists
o Rebuttal came from Egerton Ryerson in the Colonial Advocate William Lyon Mackenzie’s newspaper. **
o Questions of clergy reserves continued until 1850’s. In 1854 John a Macdonald introduced a bill, which would remove all semblance of connection between church and state. End of the concept of a national church. **
- Entry hall at base of tower has photos of fire.
- January 30, 1928, a sermon preached on the text “the God that answereth by fire, let him be God.” 12 hours later, the church caught fire & was almost completely gutted.
- Bells. MUC has a carillon – a set of bells played from a keyboard, using fists & feet. The original wooden one is displayed in the entry hall.
- 1922. First set of 23 bells donated by Chester Massey. (One of most prominent Methodist families in Toronto.) Later donations in 1960 & 1971. Set now numbers 54, harmonically tuned.
- Interior of Sanctuary. Rebuilt interior by J. Gibb Morton is more cathedral-like with nave, side aisles, transepts & a full chancel with altar table. Seats 2200.
- Focus of interior space is great organ mounted above pulpit. Original was from 1872. In 1904, Mrs. Lillian Massey Treble donated a new one. . (link to Lillian Massey Bldg. on ROM & Its Neighbours ROMwalk). Current one dating from 1930, a Casavant organ, with nearly 8000 pipes is the largest pipe organ in Canada.
- MUC is one of most important centres for music in Canada. With several choirs, it provides a rich & diverse program of music to suit a variety of musical tastes.
- In Chancel, note finely carved wood in the pulpit, choir stalls, organ screen, the lectern & baptismal font & especially the communion table screen with its carved scene of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of The Last Supper.
- 18 angel heads on each side at base of ceiling timbered oak look down on worshippers
- Stained Glass Windows. Chancel window depicts Jesus as Sovereign Christ
- West Wall. Miracles of Christ
- East Wall. Scenes from Life of Christ. Window closest to south end depicts “Annunciation” – Angel Gabriel announces birth of Jesus to shepherds.
- South end. Peter Bryce Memorial Window. Conversion of Paul on Road to Damascus
Metropolitan United Church Today
- MUC continues the Methodist tradition of preaching & of “singing their faith.”
- It has a strong community outreach program, especially to the homeless.
- During the past few decades, Metropolitan was one of the first congregations in downtown Toronto to address social problems, especially that of the homeless. Clergy had to spend two or three days on street living like vagrants. (John Sewell. Doors Open Toronto. 2002)
Bibliography
Judith St. John – Firm Foundations: a Chronicle of Toronto’s Metropolitan United Church and Her Methodist Origins.
MUC publications, leaflets, etc.
Website.
Link. As we mentioned, this church was built on the site of what was originally a park lot called McGill Square. About 30 years earlier, the northern portion of the Square was chosen for the Roman Catholic Cathedral – St. Michael’s.
Before we walk up to look at it, let us first look across the street to another St. Michael’s.
2 /3 Entrance to St. Michael’s Hospital
30 Bond Street, 1936 addition W. L. Somerville (architect) & F. Loring (sculptor)
Exterior
▪ Art deco style
▪ Curved stone surround with low relief stylized decoration
▪ Fluted vertical elements on both sides lead to Latin Crosses.
▪ Art deco lamps on each side of lobby entrance.
▪ Tall narrow windows.
▪ 8’ 6” figure above the door of the Archangel Michael, sculpted by Frances Loring, standing over a dragon he has defeated.
▪ Same theme at STOP #8, St. George’s
See Addendum for History
3. ST. MICHAEL’S CATHEDRAL
57 Bond St.
Architect: William Thomas Date: 1845 - 48
Note to Tourer. You might begin on the south side of Shuter St. for your introductory remarks, then cross the street for a closer look at the architectural details.
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION
During the capture of York, John Strachan had protested and stopped the ransacking by American troops of Elmsley House, the former home of Chief Justice Elmsley of Upper Canada. His son, Captain John Elmsley born in 1801, joined the British Navy and later became the commander of the Provincial Marines.
In 1833 he left the Church of England and converted to Catholicism. He devoted much of his life to the Church, heading the Cathedral building fund and pledging his entire fortune as mortgage security for the Cathedral
Elmsely convinced Bishop Power to model the Cathedral n the Gothic style of York Minister in England. He also provided fragments of the original York Minister Cathedral to be placed in the corner stone of St, Michaels.
John Elmsley was so esteemed by the Church that after he died his body was buried in a crypt under Our Lady’s Altar of ST. Michaels. He also donated part of his estate, Clover Hill, to St. Basil’s Church, (in what is now part of the U of T) where his heart is buried
Introduction
- St. Michael’s is the oldest of the churches on our walk & the oldest Catholic church building still standing in the city. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Toronto.
- Michael Power, who had been appointed Bishop of new diocese, chose William Thomas (1799 – 1860) to design the new cathedral, dedicated to St. Michael.
- Thomas would also design St. Lawrence Hall in 1850. He had moved to Toronto from England in 1843 &, with a shortage of architects, he soon became the city’s leading architect in the later 1840s. (Also did The Commercial Bank of the Midland District on Wellington St., as well as eight other churches).
- Like many other church buildings of the 19th C., it is a product of the Gothic Revival - a style which had developed in France in the 12th C. Characterized by high walls supported by flying buttresses, with large windows to let light in. Everything in a Gothic church points upwards, directed heavenwards.
- St. Michael’s is based more on the English Gothic style of the 14th C., in particular on York Minster. It has a Gothic spire, columns, aisles, decoration, a clerestory & a pitched roof. Gothic-pointed arches & decorative spires are everywhere in evidence. Buttresses associated with Gothic were not structurally necessary in 19th C buildings.
- Move to front of cathedral for a closer look at details of its design.
Architecture/Exterior
▪ Local brick with stone dressings (similar to St. James). Stone came as ballast on ships carrying pottery to the New World from Staffordshire, England.
▪ Height of the spire, including the gilt cross – 275 ft.
▪ Spire surmounts square brick bell tower (completed in 1866 by Gundry & Langley)
▪ Dormer additions (can be seen from south east corner of Bond and Shuter St), added to roof after 1870 by Henry Langley.
▪ Tower and steeple were an ecumenical project of leading citizens of Toronto at the beginning of Confederation (George Brown for one)
▪ Carvings of heads of saints, gargoyles, etc. in stone form a border at the base of roof – several with huge open mouths served as rain spouts (practical use)
▪ In Medieval times, believed they might frighten away evil spirits
▪ Sly looking horned devils provide decoration over windows
▪ There are a number of faces with fire issuing from mouths
▪ Note the number of religious symbols:
o Roses (symbol of nativity)
o The head of a Queen (Mary)
o A.M. (Ave Maria)
o M.R. (Maria Regina)
o Lilies (purity, resurrection)
o Smiling faces
o Crowned and uncrowned angels
(Tourer: may wish to pick out a few depending on your vantage point)
▪ St. Michael’s is oriented east/west with the altar in the east in the traditional manner, unlike the other two cathedrals we have seen.
▪ Main entrance is the west door. Two faces on the pillars flanking the door represent King Edwin of Northumbria, first Christian king of York, England & St. Paulinus, Bishop of the first Christian community at York. Appropriate since York was the name given to Toronto by the first Lt. Governor, John Graves Simcoe.
▪ Above the door, to the right is a shield with the keys of St. Peter & the Papal tiara & to the left, an Episcopal crozier with the mitre, signifying that St. Michael’s is the seat of the Bishop.
Historical Background
▪ When the town of York was founded, many of the early settlers were Irish & many of these were Roman Catholic. They were served by priests who traveled between Kingston & Detroit, saying Mass in private homes.
▪ In 1822, the first Catholic church in York was built, called St. Paul’s. It was at the corner of Queen & Power Sts., the area where many of the Irish had settled. (The present St. Paul’s building dates from 1889.) At that time, the Catholic Church was under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Quebec.
▪ in 1841, because of the growth in population, Pope Gregory XVI split it in two & elevated Michael Power to be the first bishop of the western portion. Power chose Toronto as the seat of his diocese & for a short time, St. Paul’s became the cathedral church. However, plans were soon underway to build a new cathedral.
▪ The Site. Bishop Power purchased McGill Square, which at that time was on the northern edge of the city. Part of the sum (1800 pounds) was from his own savings.
▪ It was expected that the southern portion would remain as park – a cathedral close – which would set off the cathedral but as we know, that did not happen.
▪ Capt. John Elmsley may be considered almost a co-founder of St. Michael’s. He persuaded the Bishop to select the English gothic style, which many considered too Anglican. He had visited York Minster in England & brought back fragments which were built into the foundation stone. He also headed up the cathedral building fund. Although he came from a prominent Anglican family in York, he converted to Catholicism & devoted much of the rest of his life to the Catholic church. When he died in 1863, his body was buried in the Cathedral crypt. (See Addendum).
▪ Excavation of the site began in April 1845. A large “volunteer” force of men gathered with their ploughs and teams of horses. They were rewarded with a feast of a great ox roasted on a spit.
▪ The cathedral was consecrated in 1848. Unfortunately, Bishop Power did not live to see it. The previous year, he had contracted typhus while ministering to the sick & dying Irish in the immigrant sheds.
▪ The third great figure associated with St. Michael’s was Bishop Charbonnel who succeeded Power in 1850. We will see his contributions in the interior of the building.
Interior
(Tourer: most of this explanation can be done outside so as to not disturb those worshipping inside – inside one can quietly point out the highlights)
▪ Unadorned, but impressive, void of plaques or monuments for the most part
▪ Stations of the Cross given by Bishop Armand Francois Marie de Charbonnel, (French inscription at the base of each station is a reminder of Toronto’s only French bishop)
▪ Gold chalice given to Charbonnel by Pius IX when church was consecrated in 1850 is still in use today.
▪ 16 large decorated arches supported by pillars divide church into nave, (the main part of a church) & the side aisles.
▪ Two side chapels: North – Chapel of the Blessed Virgin
▪ South – Chapel of the Sacred Heart
▪ (the diocese is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the pure heart of Mary)
▪ Stenciled ceiling above aisles . Wooden barrel-vaulting above chancel.
▪ the organ installed in 1880 – said to be purchased at the Philadelphia Exposition
▪ Chancel Window – depicts the Crucifixion
▪ gift of Bishop Charbonnel
▪ installed late 1850’s by Etienne Thevenot, a French artist who created some of the windows in Cathedral Notre Dame, Paris
▪ note deep royal blue, rich red in costumes at the foot of the cross
▪ Window west end of north wall – Nativity Scene
▪ The whole world symbolically present at Jesus’ birth
▪ Ruins in background popular 19th century motif
▪ Window was reproduced as 8( cent Canadian Christmas stamp in 1976
▪ Cathedra -- chair of Bishop or Cardinal is at the centre of the nave
▪ when red it denotes Cardinal’s position
▪ when green it denotes Bishop’s positions
▪ coat of arms is on back of the chair
▪ Cardinal McQuigan’s hat
▪ High above the main altar, hangs the Red Hat of His Eminence Cardinal McGuigan which has been there since his death
▪ Will stay there until it falls down or slowly turns to dust
▪ Used at time of his consecration as Cardinal 1946, the first in English-speaking Canada
▪
▪ Archdiocese is currently headed by Archbishop Thomas Collins. The Former Archbishop, Cardinal Ambrozic, retired in 2006.
▪ Ministers to 1.7 million Roman Catholics in the archdiocese of Toronto
Additional Notes:
▪ 1921 – iron fence erected – designed by George Hugher Lalor
▪ 1937 – major renovation scheme – new ceiling murals, wall re-stencilled
▪ 1966 – renovation in spirit of Vatican II
▪ 1984 - Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here, during episcopate of Cardinal Carter.
(Tourer: After the explanation of the interior the group can be taken inside and the highlights may be pointed out quietly. If a special mass is in progress the group will not be allowed into the Cathedral, in which case the walkers can be told to come back on their own and look for some of the highlights inside. Avoid taking the group down the aisle by the Sacred Heart altar on the south (right) side of the church
▪ Men remove their hats when entering a Christian sanctuary.
3A. ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL
▪ (Tourer: comment briefly on the Choir School)
▪ Founded by Monsignor John Ronan in 1937
▪ Approximately 380 boys and over 50 staff members, including the music teachers, comprise the population of the school
▪ Distinguished Alumni
▪ “The Four Lads” -- 1950’s famous quartet, (Moments to Remember, Standing on the Corner Watching all the Girls Go By). Also “The Crew Cuts” from this era.
▪ The 3 Michaels - Michael Burgess, (lead in The Phantom of the Opera), Michael Schade (lyric tenor, famous in Europe as well as at home) and Michael Colvin, (Canadian Opera Company), as well as John McDermott, (well known Canadian Irish-style tenor)
Link. Earlier we mentioned two famous figures from the early years of Toronto’s history. Another one is William Lyon Mackenzie whose house opposite is now a heritage building.
4. MACKENZIE HOUSE
82 Bond St. 1858
WAR OF 1812 ADDITION
Outside Mackenzie House
- Powerful oligarchy ruled York
- Mackenzie pointed out the problems with this system through his newspaper
- Tried to make changes through government route-elected to legislative assembly and 1st Mayor of Toronto
- Didn’t see any possibility of change without rebellion
- Rebellion of 1837 result
- Reform did come later and Mackenzie did return to Toronto.
QUESTION If Mackenzie had been in York during the Invasion would his attitudes
regarding reform been different?
▪ Georgian style townhouse, once part of a row.
▪ Typical form of housing for the middle class in the first half of 19th century – reflects long classical tradition.
▪ House was given to Mackenzie after he returned to Toronto from the States where he had been living in exile following his abortive rebellion of 1837.
▪ Mackenzie died in 1861. His widow & children remained there for several decades.
▪ Two of his daughters ran the “Misses Helen & Elizabeth Mackenzie Ladies Boarding School” here
▪ Now operated by the City of Toronto, Cultural Division, it is open to the public.
▪ Furnishings are from the time period
▪ Special interest is small print shop in basement where visitors can see how a paper, like Mackenzie’s Colonial Advocate, was compiled and printed. It is said, presses can be heard working at night (tho” Mackenzie never operated his print shop in this location).
William Lyon Mackenzie. 1775 – 1861
See Addendum for his history.
- Bust of WLM & monument to democratic government stands on west side of Queen’s Park Legislative Building (cf. Queen’s Park ROMwalk). His monument is in the Necropolis (RW)
Link: From the house of a politician we return to a house of worship which is also an example of the cultural mosaic of our city.
5. DOWNTOWN MOSQUE
100 Bond Street
Exterior
▪ Front of this building is a Hip Hop clothing store owned by merchant Steve Rockwell.
▪ Moved here in 1997 after his jean shop at Yonge and Dundas was relocated with 100 other businesses during the construction of Dundas Square.
▪ Door on the right leads to the Downtown Mosque above the store.
▪ Director of Mosque is Steve Rockwell.
▪ Well-
▪ known host of TV programme “Call of the Minaret” on Vision TV each week.
▪ Mosque serves Muslims in the area including local business people and students at Ryerson.
History
▪ Building has housed the Downtown Mosque since 1999.
▪ Previously occupied by a variety of business’s including a bar and a part of Covenant House … an outreach programme of the Roman Catholic Church.
▪ Sheikh Ahmed Deedat is a Muslim missionary from South Africa and is the author of many books on the Bible and the Qur’an.
Link: From one of our most recent contributions to our city’s religious mosaic, let us look at the oldest Lutheran Church in Torontp.
6. FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
116 Bond Street
Architect Charles Frederick Wagner, 1898. Renovations 1932
Exterior
▪ Simplified Gothic Revival sometimes called Alpine Gothic. (looks like a church you might find in an alpine village).
▪ Solid heavy stone foundation
▪ Constructed of red brick, clad relatively recently in grey stucco. See back of building for a look at original red brick.
▪ Elongated pointed arched windows and doors.
▪ Peaked buttresses.
▪ Tower with peaked roof and cross.
▪ Architect C. F. Wagner was a member of First Lutheran
Interior
▪ Christ statue is a reproduction of the original by Danish sculptor Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen
History
▪ Lutheranism is the predominant faith in the Baltic area of Europe, especially in Scandinavia and northern Germany.
▪ Based on theology advanced after the 1517 protests of German Martin Luther about the corrupt practices of the Roman Catholic Church –which led to the Protestant Reformation.
▪ Lutheran faith has a long history in Canada with the first congregation established in Churchill, Manitoba in 1619.
▪ First German settlers came to Town of York at invitation of Governor Simcoe.
▪ Others came as Loyalists from New York state or Pennsylvania. They were called Pennsylvania Dutch or Deutsch.
▪ At first Lutherans met in homes to worship.
▪ 1856 – First church on this site – a wooden church designed by architect William Thomas (St. Michael’s Cathedral, etc.)
▪ 1876 - English evening services added to original German only. Both English and German offered to this day.
▪ 1889 – Fire caused serious damage to the wooden church.
▪ 1897 – Decided that original church was no longer suitable. Piano manufacturer Theodore Heintzman donated a large sum of money towards a new building. (See Addendum)
▪ 1898 – Cornerstone laid for present edifice.
▪ 1930 – First Lutheran merged with St. Paul’s English Lutheran Church. Many of the windows are from that church.
▪ 1932 – Extensive interior renovations –ceilings, painted murals, furnishings.
Link: As construction started on this building, another was completed across the street which contributed two examples to our cultural mosaic and one real mosaic.
7. HAGIOS GIORGIOS (St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church)
(Originally Holy Blossom Synagogue/Temple)
115 Bond Street
Architect John Wilson Siddall – 1895-97 Renovated Allen M. Young 1982-4
Exterior
▪ Architectural style – Byzantine with Romanesque Revival façade.
▪ Towers.
▪ Twin towers flanking a tall central arch with a domed roof. Base of towers made from Ohio sandstone with Don Valley brick above.
▪ Thick outer piers and thin inner ones.
▪ Tall narrow arched windows.
▪ Octagon drums with stained glass windows.
▪ Oxidized copper domes topped with Greek crosses.
▪ Towers originally topped by onion-shaped domes, a Moorish element, later altered.
Central Arch
▪ Stone piers of central arch and pairs of inner colonettes frame double doors of main entrance. Arch topped by an arcaded cornice.
▪ Tympanum contains a Byzantine mosaic of a mounted St. George saving a Libyan princess offered as a desperate sacrifice to appease the dragon. Mosaic done by Cirio Tonelli from Chicago.
▪ (Note: There is an outstanding example of a Byzantine mosaic in the rotunda of the ROM and also an excellent collection of Byzantine artifacts. Well worth a visit.)
Domes
▪ Roof line dominated by three domes.
▪ Largest is 72’ in diameter resting on an octagonal drum with windows to illuminate the interior.
▪ Glass by Harmony Glass of Whitby
▪ To view the central dome, stand at a distance at one side of the building.
▪ Note: As you leave the site, point out this feature.
1982 Major Renovations to the Exterior
▪ 4 front small domes removed
▪ “onion” domes replaced
▪ Mosaic on tympanum
▪ Byzantine crosses
History/Background
▪ Congregation of Toronto Jewish families formed in late 1850s – at first to manage a burial ground. Became known as Holy Blossom. Met on second floor of drugstore at Yonge & Richmond.
▪ Only synagogue till 1875 when new building erected on Richmond E. at Victoria. Until late 1880s, Toronto’s Jewish community remained very small. Then new immigrants arrived from Central & Eastern Europe. Community grew & began to prosper.
▪ Among those were Alfred & Frank Benjamin, partners in metal-importing business. Believed wealth entailed social & religious responsibilities. Gave many immigrants jobs provided they attended Sabbath services at Holy Blossom.
▪ Proposed new synagogue be built with lecture room. Benjamin brothers each contributed $5000. Though Toronto was regrettably not without prejudice, the list of donors to the project included more Christians than Jews – among them Timothy Eaton, Robert Simpson, the Masseys and Henry Pellatt.
▪ Had to compete with towers & spires of other religious buildings which dominated skyline.
▪ 1895-97 – New building constructed as Holy Blossom Temple. Took its place with others.
▪ 1937 – Holy Blossom moved to Bathurst Street.
▪ 1938 – Building became the home of the first Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto.
▪ Minor renovations e.g. Hebrew lettering removed from the tympanum.
Interior
Decoration of interior took place in 1980s
▪ Frescoes by two master iconographers – the Pachomaioi monks, Theophilos and Chrysostom from the Monastery of Mt. Athos in Greece. Now considered a crown in the jewel of Greek Orthodoxy.
Dome – Christ Ruler of All
Vault – Nativity, Crucifixion, Lamentation, and Harrowing of Hades
Pentatives – Four evangelists
Apse – Virgin Mary
Walls – 45 saints
Iconostasis – carving done in Toronto by Karapoulas.
Moorish elements (retained from original)
▪ Four capitals replicate those of the Alhambra Patio of Lions
▪ Arabesque grill work on balconies
RESOURCES
Website:
Archives: St. Michael’s Hospital - Contact Nichole Vonk at 416-864-2925 ext. 2925. The collection is extensive and includes all Wellesley Hospital records.
Interviews with:
Steve Rockwell, Director of Downtown Mosque
Books:
McDonald, Irene CSJ, A History of St. Michael’s Hospital … For the Least of My Brethren,
Dundurn Press, Toronto, 1992.
McHugh, Patricia, Toronto Architecture: A City Guide, Mercury Books, Toronto, 1985.
Molto, Kimberley, True Tales of the Paranormal, Dundurn Press, Toronto, 2002.
Murray, Terry, Faces on Places, House of Anansi, distributed by Harper Collins, Toronto, 2006.
Deedat, Ahmed, The Choice, Islam Presentation Committee, 1993.
Barber, Louis, 140 Years at First Lutheran, Ryerson CPS, 1991.
Cruikshank, Tom, Old Toronto Houses, Firefly Books, 2003.
Haywood, John, Atlas of World History, Andromedia Oxford, 2003.
Jones, Donald, Toronto Star, April 10, 1976 and September 3, 1977
Arthur, Eric, Toronto: No Mean City University of Toronto Press, 2nd edition, 1974
Curl, James, Oxford Dictionary of Architecture, Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2006
Dendy, William and Kilbourn, William, Toronto Observed Its Architecture, Patrons and History Oxford University Press, 1986.
Jeffrey, Peter, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, an Iconographic Guide, University of
Toronto Press, 2000
Richardson, Peter and Richardson, Douglas, Canadian Churches, An Architectural History, Firefly Books, 2007
8. RYERSON UNIVERSITY
(formerly Ryerson Polytechnical Institute)
Kerr Hall - 40 – 50 Gould St. 1954 – 63. Burwell R. Coon
Recreation & Athletic Centre 1986 – 87. Architect: Lett/Smith
The Normal School, St. James Square. 1852 Architect: Cumberland & Ridout.
StatStatue of Egerton Ryerson. 1803 - 1882
- First met him as Methodist preacher & later as one of prominent Methodists behind building of Metropolitan Methodist Church in 1870.
- Dispute with Bishop Strachan began in 1826. Strachan preached sermon on Clergy Reserves. Ryerson wrote 10,000 word counter-attack. Published in Mackenzie’s Colonial Advocate. Had a sensational effect. People relished religious controversy.
- Ryerson therefore took interest in political situation, studied legislation. Believed British North America needed its own system – not copy of Britain.
- 1829. Editor of The Christian Guardian – a new Methodist weekly, became very popular.
- E.R. also published books – forerunner of Ryerson Press.
- 1832 - 33 in England. Teamed up with W. L. Mackenzie but on return, separated from him as ideas too radical. During 1837 Rebellion, Ryerson was in Kingston.
- 1842. Principal of Victoria College (formerly Upper Canada Academy) in Cobourg, which had been renamed for new queen.
- Ryerson & Strachan met for first time on stage coach from Kingston to Toronto. Found they had a lot in common.
- 1844 - 76. Chief Superintendent of Schools. Travelled in Europe to observe educational systems & also throughout his district in Ontario. Strong proponent of free education for children. Common School Act of 1846 allowed municipalities to tax property to build free schools.
- 1851 Ryerson founded Normal School in order to train teachers for public schools. The training of young women of Canada West became the foundation of entire education system.
- 1856 – 57 he again traveled to England & the continent with daughter Sophia. This time his aim was to collect science specimens & art collections (copies of the Old Masters & plaster casts of busts of great men, etc.) for an Educational Museum he established on the second floor of the Normal School. Did not survive Ryerson’s death but it formed one of the strands in what became the ROM.
- 1871. Grammar School Act – made schooling compulsory. Ryerson’s major achievement in education
Link. We will go inside to look what remains of the Normal School but first let us consider the modern building in front of which Ryerson is standing.
Ryerson Institute of Technology/Ryerson Polytechnical Institute/Ryerson University
- 1948 Ryerson Institute of Technology founded
- 1954 – 63 Kerr Hall constructed around Normal School
- 1964 Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. “To provide technological education for post-secondary students”.
Exterior
▪ A very sound and handsome building with “bas relief” on its brick, stone and polished granite walls and a copper clad clock tower
▪ Retaining wall for flower beds and shrubs
▪ The fortress-like building encloses a beautiful green quadrangle making it a serene oasis in the midst of downtown
▪ Bas reliefs on the north exterior walls represent the following disciplines one might pursue at Ryerson
▪ Science – a microscope and a laboratory flask
▪ Photography – a camera
▪ Television – a TV
Surveying – surveying instruments
▪ On the south wall that we will visit shortly – Household Science subjects (at that time) – a pair of scissors / a garment on a hanger / a bowl of fruit / an electric mixer / electric iron/ clip board { how things have changed }
▪ Some faculty members declared them “insultingly simple”
- 1972 Able to grant degrees
- 1993 Became Ryerson University.
Normal & Model School. 1851. Cumberland & Ridout
Demolished in 1963, except for Central Pavilion
- Site
- - Land originally part of McGill’s park lot. Undeveloped except for St. Michael’s.
- - Province bought block of land – from Gould to Gerrard Sts., Victoria to Church.
- - Became St. James Square – a 7 ½ acre park in centre of which stood Normal School for teacher training & Model School for practice teaching.
- Architecture
- Cumberland built an imposing Victorian classical edifice, situated in centre of landscaped square, surrounded by fashionable residences. Square later disappeared but building a Toronto landmark for many years.
- Central block with applied portico of Roman piers and flanking wings
- Arrangement in front is Palladian but executed in crisper, more decorative form of Renaissance Revival
History/Background
- 1857. Educational Museum set up by Ryerson on the second floor of the Normal School, both to enrich teachers’ curriculum & educate the public. Contained science specimens & also plaster casts & copies of great art. Closed in 1880 after Ryerson’s death.
- 1895 – 1933. A Provincial Museum & a Provincial Art Gallery established by new Minister of Education on a new third floor of the Normal School.
- Both Ryerson’s Educational Museum & Provincial Museum can be considered forerunners of the ROM. Many of the artifacts moved there – especially archeology & science collections. (e.g. in ROM’s First Peoples’ Gallery, artifacts with accession no. beginning with “NS” came originally from Normal School).
- After World War II, Normal School building became a Veterans’ training school. Beginning of adult education
Egerton Ryerson’s legacy is found in the schools of Ontario & in the university which bears his name.
Bibliography:
Ryerson:
Teather, J. Lynne – The Royal Ontario Museum: A Prehistory. 1830 – 1914
CONCLUSION
Nothing stands still in a modern city & Ryerson University, as a downtown university, is now spreading west to Yonge St.. It has taken over the space formerly occupied by Sam the Record Man.
In the course of our walk, we have seen some magnificent sacred buildings from the 19th century which indicate the important place religion held then in the life of the city. That too is changing. While we look forward to the new, let us still appreciate the beauty & the heritage bequeathed to us from the past.
ADDENDUM – BACKGROUND MATERIAL
METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH
John (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) were born into the large family of Samuel Wesley, Rector of Epworth in Lincolnshire and his remarkable wife Susanna.
Both brothers studied at the University of Oxford (at Christ Church) and John went on to become a Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. In the 1730’s a small group of students met regularly for Bible study and prayer, received communion frequently and undertook works of charity. The members adhered strictly and methodically to religious precepts and practices. Such devout behaviour was unusual at the times and their schoolmates derisively called them “Methodists”. The leaders of the group were mostly ordained clergy of the Church of England. The group was short-lived but set a pattern for the “evangelical Revival”
In 1735, the Wesleys responded to an invitation to serve as chaplain to the American colonies. This was not successful and both had returned to Britain by 1738. However, on the ship to Savannah they met some German Moravians whose simple evangelical piety greatly impressed them. On their return to England, they sought out the Moravians and while attending one of their meetings John experienced a religious awakening that profoundly convinced him that salvation was possible for every person through faith in Jesus Christ alone. After his spiritual conversion he devoted his life to evangelism
Charles had already experienced his own conversion earlier
Because the Anglican Church frowned on revivalism, few pulpits were open to Wesley and other evangelicals. Open-air preaching was therefore the most effective way of reaching the masses. Wesley attracted immense crowds due in part to the fact that contemporary England was ready for a revivalist movement; the Anglican church was seemingly unable to offer the kind of personal faith that people craved. Thus Wesleys emphasis on inner religion and his assurance that each person was accepted as a child of God had tremendous popular appeal.
Wesley would preach to crowds of working class, groups that were often excluded from the churches. “Field preaching” became a key feature of the Revival.
For the Wesleys, “works” as well as faith were essential to the whole of Christian living and caring for the poor, for prisoners, for widows and orphans mattered a great deal. Methodists were not only interested in welfare, they were concerned to remedy social injustice, and John Wesley’s last known letter urged the abolition of “that execrable villainy”, black slavery. The Wesleys were an influence in prison reform and inspired by Susanna Wesley, they earned a reputation as pioneers of education.
Although Wesley declared” I live and die a member of the Church of England”, the strength and impact of the movement made a separate Methodist body virtually inevitable. In the 19th century Methodism in Britain flowed in several channels.
In the later years of John Wesley's life, the hostility of the Anglican Church to Methodism had virtually disappeared. Wesley was greatly admired. When he died March 2, 1791 and was buried in the graveyard of City Road Chapel, London. In Westminster Abbey is a memorial plaque inscribed with his name
Charles Wesley was a noted hymn writer, it is estimated at he wrote over 6000 hymns, many are considered some the finest ever written. It is through these hymns that Methodists received and expressed their Christian experience and their beliefs. His poetic genius drew upon his classical and literary education and an awareness of popular culture as well as his musical talents.
Methodism in Canada
- Methodism came to Upper Canada with the United Empire Loyalists in Bay of
Quinte area
- By 1795 the first Methodist missionary (Rev. Elijah Woolsey) reached the town of York, which boasted fewer than 20 log huts.
- Rev. Woolsey was attached to the Bay of Quinte circuit and York was its most westerly point.
- 1801-Nathan Bangs worked as circuit rider, preached in York in miserable half finished house on a weekday evening to a few people, slept on floor under blanket (Edith Firth, TOWN OF YORK)
- Bang’s comment on the situation in York “…I was inducted to make a trial in this little village, the settlers of which were as thoughtless and wicked as the Canaanites of old.” Judith St.John FIRM FOUNDATIONS
- circuit riders traveled constantly, stopping to preach in every community, gradually established a pattern of travel and recruited a group of other circuit riders, strong and confident men, both physically and spiritually.
- food and lodging depended on settlers-no time or place for leisure of scholarship-one circuit rider described as “plucking his sermon off bushes as he rode along”, no home assigned junior preachers or senior if he chanced to be single.
- got around huge circuits in traveling conditions at best impossible, at worst unimaginable; backwoods of Upper Canada, “best place for getting an appetite, worst place for getting something to eat.”
- first and only booksellers among rural people- carried in saddlebags cheap editions of the Bible, Lives and Sermons of John Wesley, Morese’s
Geography, sometimes Paradise Lost, Cowper’s Poems.
- helped enlighten populace and find new preachers
- profit made from sale of books supplement to small allowance of circuit riders
1825 - in his first year of ministry, Egerton Ryerson, became circuit rider on York and Yonge Street citcuit - travelled 200 miles in 4 weeks; 2 Sundays in York, 2 Sundays in country. Preached 25 times plus funerals.
Old woman remembers Ryerson preaching “in an out-of –the-way neighbourhood in township of Louth in dirty schoolhouse illuminated by one single tallow candle near preacher’s person pinned to wall by penknife”
Ryerson loathed squalor of meeting places.
Historical Background Metropolitan Methodist Church
- 1818 first chapel on King Street—note worthy event because neither
whiskey or rum was served to volunteers
- 1832- simple Georgian building at Toronto/Adelaide Streets constructed
- after 35 years, Adelaide building needed repairs and Wesleyan Methodists wanted to move closer to upper Jarvis Street area where many members lived.
- Metropolitan, largest and most lavish church erected by Toronto Methodist-
splendour out of keeping with stern religious doctrines preached on Sunday.
- visible evidence of commercial prosperity and increasing social and political
importance of certain Methodist (Dendy)
The site: bounded by Queen, Bond, Shuter & Church, then know as McGill Square
- part of land grant running north to Bloor Street of Captain John McGill
(1752-1834) [See notes St. Michael’s part of estate, south of Carlton,
subdivided 1840-R. C. purchased northern portion of McGill Square]
- area around McGill’s large cottage tentatively reserved as public square, as
such it would have complemented St. James Square formed in 1850 on site
of Normal and Model School
- owned by Bank of Montreal and sold for $25,000
The Competition
- advertisement appeared in public papers asking for architects to submit plans
-building not to exceed $40,000 in complete state with tower or spire
-Gothic in style, seat 2000 in main audience room, 600 in lecture rooms
- successful candidate (9 submission), W. G. Storm (Storm was a Methodist,
pillar of Richmond Street Chapel)
- one of the unsuccessful candidates protested in writing on the grounds Storm’s
plan could not be carried out under sum specified-plan came in at twice the sum-
plan withdrawn (Storm sued and lost)
- Henry Langley authorized to prepare plans from general instruction of building
committee
- lowest tender-$69,000 (more than extreme limit of earlier plan)
- trustees increased their own personal subscription by $10,00 each to pay deficit
- August 24, 1870, cornerstone laid by Rev. Egerton Ryerson in presence of 3,000
including Rev. Morley Punshon, President of Conference.
- August 1871-additional $11,250 required to complete project
- April 14, 1872- opened for worship. Rev. Dr. Tiffany from Newark, New
Jersey preached to congregation filling the house.
-on platform, Dr. Pushon, Ryerson among others
- estimated cost of church’s ground $133,000
-$60,000 paid for, leaving $73,000; proposed to raise $23,000 leaving debt of
little over $50,000. Appeal made Sunday morning, in ¾ hours $20,000 raised.
- Cost was $140,000. Dr. Anson Green, noted Methodist preacher comments on the cost “ Had we known at the beginning when we resolved to build a church for $40,000 that $140,000 would be required to complete the whole, including fencing, I do not think the church would have been built at all; but God, in His wisdom concealed many difficulties from us until we reached them, and gave us hearts to meet and overcome them…” (Judith St. John FIRM FOUNDATION)
Interior:
- Original interior was a parallelogram broken by staircases and transept
galleries-3 sides-pulpit and choir on 4th side – no trace of altar
chancel-like extension actually Sunday School wing
- Focus of interior space was great organ mounted above pulpit containing
3,315 pipes, said to be best in Canada.
- Fine choir under organist F. H. Torrington, Metropolitan became one of the most important centres for music in Toronto
- Second organ (1904) build by S. R. Warren co. Montreal, larger than Westminster Abbey
- Donor was Mrs. Lillian Massey Treble
- Massey family joins Metropolitan in 1882
- Chester presented memorial parsonage
- 1922 Chester Massey donated carillon of 23 bells in memory of his wife
Margaret. Twelve smaller bells were added in 1960 and another 19 in 1971.
ENTRANCE TO ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPITAL
History
▪ 1876 Site of an old Baptist Church at 32 Bond Street purchased by St. Michael’s
▪ 1885 Used as a boarding house for working women.
▪ 1892 Hospital founded as a response to a diphtheria epidemic in Toronto. Administered by the Sisters of St. Joseph for over 100 years.
▪ 1894 First class of nurses graduates from St. Michael’s Hospital.
▪ Dr. Pearl Smith becomes first female intern at St. Michael’s Hospital.
▪ St. Michael’s Hospital installs first electrocardiograph machine in Canada.
▪ 1958 First open heart surgery in Ontario at St. Michael’s Hospital.
▪ 1969 First implant in North America of an antibody coated stint. The stint, an innovation in cardiac technology was developed at St. Michael’s Hospital.
▪ Original wing demolished in 1935 to build current structure.
▪ Ghost story – From time to time staff report that they encounter Vinnie, Sister Vincenza, at night doing her night rounds and turning off lights. Patients report her bringing blankets to them. There is just one problem. The Sisters of St. Joseph have not been part of St. Michael’s Hospital for several years and Sister Vincenza died in 1959!
ROM Note: In 1937. S. M. H. encountered the same problem as did ROM in 2007 with the new addition projecting over the Bloor Street sidewalk. S.M.H. in 1937 was informed that the statue projected over city property and was sent a bill for $224.43 per year. ROM is still discussing our projection costs with the city.
ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL
▪ Three buildings containing two science labs, computer lab, library, music library, newly renovated auditorium, extensive musical facilities and one gym
▪ Admission Process
▪ highly selective procedure
▪ Of the hundreds who audition each January, only 32 boys will be offered a place in the training years, (Grades 3 and 4)
▪ There are often possibilities for boys to enter in higher grades and even in high school, but new applicants under special circumstances must demonstrate a level of skill and achievement that equals the experience of Choir School training
▪ The Choir was accorded an affiliation with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, one of only seven choir schools in the world to have the privilege – may grant degrees in Sacred Music
MACKENZIE HOUSE
- Architecture of house - Georgian style row house
- balanced proportions, heights and width of house front, window and doors,
simple elegance that reflect long classical tradition
- multi-paned window sash has plain sills and top of the window is spanned
by a flat or jack arch comprised of bricks known was voussiors
- the walls are constructed in a Flemish bond brick pattern (lengths and ends
alternate)
- raised ground floor with recessed and enclosed entrance porch
- raised English basement allowed basement rooms to be well lit
William Lyon Mackenzie (1775 – 1861)
- born Dundee Scotland 1775
- long line of Highland Scots
- 1820 arrived Upper Canada
- For four years, he published Colonial Advocate in Queenston
- Then moved to York & set up printing press on George St. (Historic Toronto RW)
where he continued attacks on Family Compact and John Strachan with great vigor. It was Mackenzie who gave the name “Family Compact” to York/Toronto’s ruling elite.
He felt a small group of self-appointed people should not make decisions affecting whole population of Upper Canada.
- Reformers gained in strength and on several occasions Mackenzie was elected to Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada.
- Wanted change based on self-rule & attention to social justice.
- 1834 Mackenzie was elected first mayor when Town of York became City of Toronto
- By 1837 believed armed resistance to Family Compact’s hold on power was only
way to affect a change
- Rebels routed in short lived rebellion of 1837
- Mackenzie fled to U.S. During his 20 years of exile, some of the changes sought by Mackenzie towards more responsible government were put into effect
- 1858 returned to Canada in a general amnesty and given 82 Bond Street by
friends.
- Advertised in paper for funds and suitable homestead
- chosen property must have pasturage for horse and cow
- August 28, 1861 Mackenzie died here
Bibliography:
Kilbourn, Wm. - Toronto Remembered. 1984
Sewell, John - Mackenzie. 2002
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
▪ 1932 – First royal child born as a Canadian was christened at First Lutheran. His Royal Highness Karl was born to Princess Maria Louise and Prince Karl zu Leiningen. Karl is a great-great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria and thus related to Queen Elizabeth, who was represented by Lt. Governor Keiller McKay at the ceremony.
▪ Queen Julianna of the Netherlands gave birth to a royal daughter in Ottawa during WW11. The baby was not a Canadian because the exiled royal family was living in the Dutch Embassy which was considered Dutch soil.
Additional Information
▪ In May of 1619, Captain Munck and Lutheran Pastor Jensen with a crew of 65 Lutherans sailed from Copenhagen to find the north-west passage to China.
▪ Arrived in what is now Churchill, Manitoba in September 1619, remaining until July 1620.
▪ Cold and disease killed many. Only Captain Munck and 2 crew returned to Europe in September 1620.
Theodore Heintzman
▪ A German immigrant. Born in Berlin. A cabinetmaker, specializing in pianos.
▪ Emigrated to New York with new wife. Worked in piano factory. Met another German, Heinrich Steinweg, who opened his own business – Steinway Pianos.
▪ Heintzman moved to Toronto where his daughter had settled. Made pianos in kitchen of son-in-law’s house. Then opened small shop, became a large showroom & factory. Business a great success. Moved to west of city.
▪ Son, George Heintzman, took piano to exhibition in London. Played it before Queen Victoria who remarked “I didn’t realize that such beautiful instruments could be made in the colonies”!
ST. GEORGE’S GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Information About Places of Worship
▪ St. George’s is one of three major Byzantine style churches in central Toronto. The others are:
▪ St. Anne’s Anglican with interior members of the Group of Seven Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox (originally
▪ Both the slaying of the dragon at St. Michael’s and the dragon at St. George’s are allegories for the victory of good over evil. For a more detailed explanation of iconography, it is important to read Peter Jeffrey’s book which was created originally from a talk for ROMwalk’s Sacred Stones and Steeples walking tour.
▪ In Toronto Observed by Dendy and Kilbourn, page 147, there is an interesting notation on Holy Blossom at this site. “The building of the third Holy Blossom in 1895 was an event of lasting importance in the history of Toronto’s Jewish community. Though Toronto was regrettably not without prejudice, the list of donors to the project included more Christians than Jews – among them Timothy Eaton, Robert Simpson, the Masseys and Henry Pellatt.”
▪ Byzantine refers to the Eastern Roman Empire which began with the renaming of Byzantinium to Constantinople by Emperor Constantine in AD 324 as the new capital of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire ended with its capture by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. They renamed the city Istanbul.
EGERTON RYERSON & RYERSON UNIVERSITY
Egerton Ryerson & Education
▪ Normal School (explanation)
▪ a two year school for training elementary teachers
▪ A school / college that teaches according to an established norm, rule or principle. The school conforms to a type, standard, or regular (normal) form. It performs the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical
▪ Ryerson was jeered at by the Globe for his ideas on education
▪ 1847 he traveled extensively the roads of Upper Canada to visit 21 School Districts to direct public opinion to its own future good
▪ He promoted free education of children and asked the public for acceptance of his authority in education matters – the tour was a great success
▪ The Globe opposed free education – “We should not be taxed to educate the children of others.”
▪ In 1846, the United Province of Canada passed its Common School Act, which called for a normal school, (equivalent to a modern teacher’s college), to be built. On November 1, 1847, the first Provincial Normal School opened in the former Government House of Upper Canada
▪ In 1849, the provincial Parliament Buildings in Montreal were burned down, and the capital of the Province shifted to Toronto, taking over the old Government House. The displaced Normal School took up temporary residence on Temperance Street.
▪ On July 2, 1851, the cornerstone for the new Cumberland designed building was laid and the Toronto Normal School opened in May of 1852.
▪ 1941 The Normal School vacated the structure and moved to another site in Toronto, (Pape at Cosburn)
▪ 1851 The Toronto School Board committee came out strongly for free schools primarily because 3,000 children were roaming the streets, growing up exposed to anti-social influence of urban poor
▪ The Globe changed its tune
▪ In 1850’s Ryerson had a controversy with Methodists over doctrinal differences at a Belleville Conference that moved him to resign from the Conference and return his parchment of ordination
▪ Ryerson became friendlier and closer to Strachan, (Strachan was one of the first to visit Ryerson when he was ill)
▪ School Act of 1871 was Ryerson’s major achievement in education
▪ All rate bills on parents were abolished
▪ Although most rate payers, had voted to establish free schools from the 1850’s parents were liable if they did not send their children to school
Ryerson University beginnings
▪ 1868 – St. James Square
▪ Was one of downtown Toronto’s few planned open spaces
▪ Mainly a residential neighbourhood
▪ Almost as fashionable as Jarvis St.
▪ St. James Square Presbyterian Church
▪ College of Pharmacy (Gerrard St.)
▪ Several large houses overlooking the park
▪ Square disappeared almost totally and the buildings as well, except for the fragment of the front facades of Cumberland’s central pavilion, to make way for Ryerson in 1948
▪ The new buildings described as follows by Eric Arthur… “Founded in 1948 in abysmally ersatz ‘modern Georgian’ style.”
▪ WWII veterans training school (was beginning of adult education)
▪ First home of Ryerson demolished in 1963
▪ The fragment of Cumberland’s Central Pavilion is now the entrance to the Athletic Centre
Biographical Material on Adolphus Egerton Ryerson (1803-1882)
3 Methodist doctrines espoused by Ryerson—“that of repentance, of faith and of holiness”
compare to the porch of religion, the door and the religion itself.
Born Spring 1803, farm near Vittoria not far from Lake Erie, Norfolk County.
- father, Joseph, born New Jersey, UEL—came to Canada 1799
o Colonel in militia, half pay pensioner farming a 600-acre land grant
o mother –devout Anglican who later converted to Methodism
o father suspicious of democratic ideas spreading North, including Methodism
o father told him, ”Egerton, I understand you have joined the Methodists;
o you must either leave them or leave my house.” Egerton left.
▪ 5 of 6 sons became Methodist preachers
Preached first sermon Easter Sunday, 1825 in Beamsville
- congregation not much impressed, found his appearance fat and boyish, large speaking blue eyes and such a large head
1826 John Strachan preached a sermon to refute claim of Church of Scotland for a portion of Clergy Reserves’ Resources
- Strachan claimed only the addition of a large money grant to complete use of vast Clergy Reserves tract could help Established church in Upper Canada carry out mandate
- sermon meant for British, not North American eyes and ears
- sermon just prior to Strachan going to /England to seek University Charter
Ryerson, aged 23, wrote 10,000-word counter attack, which he called a review of Strachan’s sermon and sent to Mackenzie’s weekly COLONIAL ADVOCATE.
- Ryerson said Strachan was a “fountain of slander”
- Strachan said Methodist ministers were lazy, Ryerson asked if he meant those “indolent, covetous men who traveled 200-300 miles and preach 25 to 40 times a month for the enormous salary of $25 month.”
- Strachan said ministers were uneducated, iterant men who had forsaken their proper calling to preach what they did not understand. Ryerson asked if Strachan had ever heard of the uneducated, iterant fisherman who Christ chose.
- Strachan claimed all government land allotted to the Protestant church belonged to Anglican Church since it was the established church. Ryerson said for three centuries Christian churches were without government aid and were opposed to aid from the government. These times were when the churches were the purest.
- Point by point Ryerson proceeded to destroy all of Strachan’s arguments.
- Ryerson father heard about the letter and said, “my God, we are ruined.”
o Ryerson’s attack on Strachan, indirect attack on Family Compact
- William Lyon Mackenzie printed every word, effect was sensational “scarcely less violent than a Fenian invasion”, religious controversy among few pleasures of early days in Upper Canada.”
- 1854, Clergy Reserve matter was settled. Government sold land and monies went to municipalities, mainly for education.
Strachan’s abiding dream of Upper Canada as Little England helped to galvanize Ryerson’s sense of Upper Canada
- Ryerson understood quality of land and it condition
- mindful of resisting British traditions and developing uniquely North American adaptation of British institutions in Upper Canada
- Methodism perfect religion for burgeoning country
o Ryerson Methodist by conviction and by choice-eagerly ready to defend his church
o whenever able, Ryerson spent time in Legislature at York-read and studied Blackstone’s Commentaries on Laws of England, observed Upper Canadian needs not necessarily met by British principles-Upper Canada unique situation (no wonder he appealed to Mackenzie, the Radical)
September 1828 married Hannah Aikman—by Presbyterian minister.
- Methodists not yet allowed legally to perform marriages or baptize. Church could not own land for churches, parsonages or cemeteries.
1829-THE CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN- Methodist elders started weekly of their own to counter Tory weeklies-Ryerson chosen first editor (leaving mission post among Credit Indians)- learned every practical aspect of journalism- readers had choice of religious exhortations, “how to do” instructions, (remove grease stains, carry a beehive without getting stung, brew beer at home-Methodist allowed to drink beer, but forbidden hard liquor-home brewing instructions most popular) plus weekly continuance of battle for Methodism’s place in the sun beside not behind the Anglican Church
o very popular weekly-circulation 2000 in 2 years
- Ryerson organized and ran a distributing centre of Methodist Books from New York-later did own printing and became Canada’s first book publishing house-Ryerson Press still operating today under United Church
1832- opened Upper Canada Academy at Coburg for training Methodist ministers.
- Hannah R. died shortly after death of second child
1832- sent to England- 3 fold purpose
1. patch wounds between British Wesleyans and Methodists in Upper Canada- union achieved
2. solicited funds for new Academy
3. presented petition to Colonial office regarding Church Education-Clergy Reserve question
- teamed up with William Lyon Mackenzie-been in England 1 year following attack by gang of Family Compact partisans-Mackenzie and Ryerson incongruous companions-physically and temperamentally. Ryerson - urban and devout; Mackenzie –intense hyperactive.
- but two shared important thing- antagonism to established church & all its supporters in U.C.
1833 upon return wrote in GUARDIAN “Impressions made by out late visit it England”
- young man of 30 spoke his mind with effectiveness of senior statesman of 70
- however the Methodist doctrine of “Jack’s as good as his master” began to seem a bit unrealistic to him- temper of his mind and paper seemed to draw closer to English Whigs (moderate Tories)
- imagine Mackenzie’s outrage-felt betrayed-never forgave him, called him “devious, cunning, hypocritical turncoat” “Guardian has gone over to the enemy, press types and all”.
September 1835, son John dies of dysentery-Ryerson had remarried year earlier- 1837 daughter Sophia born, person who grew up to be closer to her father than anyone else; wrote extensive letters, traveled together in late life (read “My Dearest Sophie” Ryerson, ed by C. B. Sissions, Ryerson 1955)
During Rebellion of 1837- advised to stay out of Toronto- had been posted to Kingston church –following defeat of the rebellion, Strachan visits prisoner and preached in jail-Ryerson sits in Kingston parsonage and writes.
- 1838- to help sooth wounds following the Rebellion, Ryerson pressured to resume editorship of GUARDIAN
- 1842- became Principal of Victoria College formerly Upper Canada Academy-began to form policy on Education-main pre-occupation next 35 years-loved to learn himself.
- continued to write open letter to “John Toronto” as he derisively called Strachan on Bill on Reserve Lands. Continued to be controversial inside and outside GUARDIAN.
- strange to read Ryerson and Strachan met for the first time in 1842 on a stage from Kinston to Toronto. Ryerson published account of day of forced intimacy concluding with suggestions reasonable and loveable-‘How much asperity of feeling, how much bitter controversy might be prevented if those most concerned would converse privately with each other before they entered into the arena of public disputations.”
TOURER Following information excellent addition to look at Ryerson Buildings
1844-1876 – became Chief Superintendent of Schools-traveled extensively in Europe to observe structuring of education system.
- part of terms of School Bill of 1846-direct Normal School when it became established
- solid achievements of well-trained teachers important for a professional status dignity “Dr. Ryerson: “All bunkum”, jeered the GLOBE
1847- traveled extensively the roads of Upper Canada to visit 21 school districts and direct public opinion to its future good-the free education of the children and to acceptance of his authority in educational matters-tour total success – would do tour 3 times in his career
- wanted best for his own children - Lucilla, age 10, sent to private school for dancing, in her teens to Montreal convent to learn French, social function given by Lady Elgin at Government House-had to defend himself against Methodist detractors.
- Toronto, hence GLOBE & MAIL comment above, stronghold against free schools-“cannot deprive man of right and responsibility of educating his own children “and” we should not be taxed to educate the children of others.”
1851- Toronto School Board committee came out strongly for free schools primarily because 3,000 children were roaming streets, growing up exposed to antisocial influences of urban poor.
- GLOBE changed its tune: “hope day will soon come when a good education is open to every child in the country.”
- advocated, ahead of his time, abolishing separate school law
- on cordial terms with Bishop Lynch (3rd bishop of Toronto)-sent him port wine to cure a series of boils
- but felt ceremonies and customs of Church of Rome trivial and unsettling to well instructed Protestant,
1850’s –controversy with Methodists over doctrinal differences at Conference in Belleville moved him to resign from Conference and return parchment of ordination.
- mental and physical health began to deteriorate-traveled with daughter Sophia to Europe-began to collect exhibits and art reproductions
- 1868- stunned, as U of T became exclusive recipient to state aid
- debilitated with constant headaches and depression, one great satisfaction was drawing toward him of Bishop Strachan- now in his 80’s- and physically frail but always indefatigable.
- visitor and comforter of the ill - one of the first to present himself at bedside- “layers of superficial differences peeled away 2 men had minds and spirits which met and mingled very comfortably.”
School Act of 1871 Ryerson’s major culminating achievement in Education
- abolished all rate bills on parents
- although most ratepayers had voted to establish free schools from 1850’s parents liable if did not send children t school.
Died of Pneumonia 1882
- at the funeral, church bells of St. James tolled and the Legislature adjourned so members could attend the service.
- in eulogy Ryerson was compared “to a great tree of the forest whose branches raked the passing clouds so that men can only guess at its heights but when it had fallen, than could they measure its true proportion
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