St. Paul's, Bloor Street

St. Paul's Bloor Street is an Anglican church that is located at 227 Bloor Street East in Toronto, Ontario. It is the largest church in the Diocese of Toronto of the Anglican Church of Canada.[1]

St. Paul's Bloor Street
St. Paul's Bloor Street, c. 1891
Location227 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario
DenominationAnglican Church of Canada
Websitestpaulsbloor.org
Administration
DioceseToronto
ProvinceOntario
Clergy
RectorThe Rev. Canon Barry Parker
The Cross of Sacrifice outside the church

History

The first St. Paul's church opened on June 12, 1842.[2] It was replaced in 1860 by what is now called the “Old Church”. The current sanctuary (the “New Church”) was built in 1913, when Canon Henry John Cody was the Rector (Senior Minister). Cody Hall, built in memory of Canon Cody’s son, opened in 1928 containing a large theatre-style room, classrooms, a gym and a rifle range.

Both the New Church and Cody Hall were designed by E.J. Lennox, who attended as a member of St. Paul’s at the time. In 2006, a large renovation (the Nehemiah Project) was completed, amalgamating all three buildings into one, accessible complex of 110,000 sq. ft.

The building is protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since January 12, 1989. The "Old St. Paul's Anglican Church" was built in 1860, designed by Edward and George Radford. The tower was completed in 1894, with additions in 1904 designed by E.J. Lennox. The "New St. Paul's Anglican Church" opened in 1913. There is also a heritage easement agreement on the property, registered on November 22, 1988.[3]

Description and services

There are three chapels in the church complex (St. Paul’s, St. George’s, and Good Shepherd). During the week, those seeking solitude and prayer are welcome in St. Paul’s Chapel. The Chapel hosts new and regular visitors alike, and is especially popular with the working crowd at lunch.

The church holds services on Sundays and a Communion Service on Tuesdays. The vision of St. Paul's Bloor Street is: "A church made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit, a city made new by the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a people made whole by the grace of God." It has extensive children and youth programs, as well as offering many adult programs, along with Outreach ministries.

St. Paul's Bloor Street is the regimental church of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (QOR), and a pew is designated for The Duchess of Cornwall, who was appointed as Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment in 2010. The Cross of Sacrifice, a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the unit, stands outside the church.

Since March 2020 St. Paul's has been meeting virtually through Sunday and Wednesday services offered on YouTube.[4]


See also

References
  1. St. Paul's Bloor Street – History
  2. Landmarks of Toronto, 1904
  3. "Heritage Property Detail-227 BLOOR ST E". City of Toronto Heritage Register. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVqUlL1475L6R34T9KHFc8Q

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