Grace Church

Nestled in the heart of Toronto, Grace Toronto Church has a captivating story to tell. The church’s history is intertwined with the historic Old St. Andrew’s Church building at 383 Jarvis Street. Grace Toronto Church itself was founded in 1992 by Stephen Beck. The church thrived under his leadership. However, a period of decline followed Beck’s departure for missionary work in Germany in 2002. Reverend Dan MacDonald arrived in 2004 and, with his wife Sue, revitalized the dwindling congregation. They started with a mere ten people. By 2006, the congregation grew to 25. Since then, Grace Toronto Church has experienced remarkable growth. This resurgence breathes new life into the historic building. The Old St. Andrew’s Church building has a rich history of its own. Constructed in 1878 by Langley & Burke, the building originally served the “Old St. Andrew’s” Presbyterian congregation. The congregation moved to this location after a split within the original St. Andrew’s Church in 1874. This split occurred due to disagreements about relocating westward. Interestingly, the original St. Andrew’s Church, located at Adelaide and Church streets, was renovated by Henry Langley in 1877-78. The Old St. Andrew’s building on Jarvis housed Latvian and Estonian congregations until 2015. On October 1, 2015, Grace Toronto Church took up residence, marking a return to Presbyterian worship within the historic walls. The building itself is a testament to Gothic architecture. Its linear East-West orientation, dominant western towers, and elegant stained-glass windows create a captivating visual experience. Inside, the warm wood and soft light filtering through the stained glass evoke a sense of reverence and history. The church’s dimensions are impressive, approximately 36 meters by 25 meters, with a roof reaching 17 meters. The two steeples soar even higher, reaching 46 and 25 meters respectively. Today, Grace Toronto Church stands as a vibrant community within a historic landmark. Its story is one of resilience, revival, and a commitment to faith. As you stand before Grace Toronto Church, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history embedded within its walls and the community that continues to bring them to life.