What if these stones could talk? Christ Church Deer Park has been a vital part of Toronto’s Deer Park area for over 150 years. It began as a mission of St. John’s York Mills. Today, Christ Church Deer Park stands as a testament to faith, community, and resilience.
In 1870, Toronto’s population was just 56,000. The city barely extended north of Bloor Street. Deer Park was a rural area with large estates. Yonge Street was unpaved. A stagecoach ran daily to Richmond Hill stopping in Deer Park.
There were no Anglican churches between St. Paul’s Bloor Street and St. John’s York Mills. A meeting led to a request to the Bishop of Toronto to create a new Anglican parish named Christ Church. The Bishop agreed. Land was purchased for one-hundred dollars. Construction began in October 1870. In just 11 weeks, a frame building was completed for $3,000. In 1872, a rectory was built on Heath Street West. The original parish covered a large area from Cottingham Street to Eglinton Avenue and from Dufferin Street to the Don River.
By 1909, Deer Park was part of Toronto. The area around Avenue Road and St. Clair was growing quickly. The original frame church needed to be replaced. Construction of a second, brick church started in 1909 on the same site. The old building became a hall and parish house. Opening services for the new church were held on June 2, 1910.
Around 1910, Grace Church was moved from Elm Street to Forest Hill. This reduced the size of Christ Church Deer Park. The rector of Christ Church Deer Park expressed concern that the new Grace Church would take away from his parish. Despite these concerns Grace Church on the Hill was built.
During the First World War, 131 parishioners of Christ Church Deer Park enlisted. Twenty-seven died in the conflict.
In 1921, the city purchased the second church property to widen Yonge Street. The parish bought land at Heath Street and Lawton Blvd. The first sod was turned for the present Christ Church Deer Park in April 1922. The cornerstone was laid on June 17, 1922. A local newspaper reported that the rain stopped and the sun shone through as the first hymn was sung.
The second church was soon demolished. The first services in the new church were held on Easter Day, April 1, 1923. There were five services that day. The dedication service was held on April 27, 1923.
The 1930s brought economic hardship. The parish worked hard to pay off debts from building the church. This was achieved in the 1940s. On January 18, 1944, the church was consecrated.
During the Second World War, parishioners served in the armed forces. Many died. Christ Church Deer Park was the center for the Deer Park Women’s Patriotic League. The 10th Scout Troop collected 510,000 pounds of salvage for the war effort. They raised enough money to buy an ambulance for the Air Force.
In the 1990s, the church’s non-worship spaces were renovated. The old parish hall became a bright, open space. The lower hall and kitchen were upgraded. An elevator was installed for accessibility.
Christ Church Deer Park has had many dedicated leaders. They have guided the parish through various challenges and changes. From its humble beginnings to its present form, Christ Church Deer Park has remained a beacon of faith. It continues to serve the community. It upholds its traditions. Its story is etched in its very stones and resonates in the hearts of its members.