Imagine this serene scene. Sunlight bathes the facade of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church stands as a beacon of faith. It represents Serbian culture in Toronto. This church is not just a building. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of a community.
Let’s delve into the story. The story began long before the cornerstone was laid here at River Street and Gerrard Street East. This very site once housed the Gerrard Street United Church. It was a vibrant congregation. But times changed and that church was demolished in 1939.
Fast forward to June 10, 1953. The ground broke for St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Bishop Dionisije Milivojević consecrated the cornerstone on August 22, 1953. Petar “Pera” Popović was the architect. Velimir “Velja” Relja was the building contractor. They envisioned a single-nave church. It was Romanesque in style. It later adapted to a Serbo-Byzantine Revival style.
The structure features a semicircular altar-apse in the east. The main entrance with a small vestibule is to the west. A small round dome graces the west side of the roof. Three crosses adorn the church. A church hall connects directly to the north.
Easter 1954 marked the first service. It was held in the church hall. Bishop Saint Nikolaj Velimirović consecrated the church foundation on September 5, 1954. Finally, on May 22, 1955, Bishop Dionisije Milivojević consecrated the completed St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Princess Olga attended this celebration. She was the sister of Russian Emperor Nicholas II. She donated an icon of Saint Alexander Nevski, made by her. Sima Temovski’s iconostasis was consecrated in 1956.
St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a vibrant hub for the Serbian Canadian community. It proudly holds the title of the mother church.
The Ontario Heritage Trust recognized its significance in October 2005. It registered St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church as a heritage building. It became part of the Cabbagetown South Heritage Conservation District.
Patriarch Irinej visited in June 2015 and February 2016. Patriarch Porfirije visited in October 2024. These visits underscore the church’s importance within the Serbian Orthodox Church.
As you stand here take a moment. Remember the history. Remember the dedication and the community. The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is more than a landmark. It’s a living testament to faith, art, and cultural heritage.