Remarkable isn’t it? This very spot. The Trustees of St Stephens. It wasn’t always so peaceful.
St Stephen-in-the-Fields Anglican Church. That’s its proper name. A cornerstone of Toronto’s history. It’s the first Anglican church west of Spadina Avenue. Imagine the farmlands here in 1857. Robert Brittain Denison a wealthy landowner had a vision. A place of worship for the workers on his Bellevue House estate. He funded the entire project himself. Quite the philanthropist.
The Gothic Revival style. Designed by Thomas Fuller later Chief Dominion Architect. The same Fuller who’d design Canada’s Parliament Buildings. Think about that. This modest church has connections to a national landmark. The original building. A red brick masterpiece. Trimmed with grey stone. It opened in 1858.
Disaster struck. A devastating fire gutted the church in 1865. The congregation mourned. But they persevered. They rebuilt. Henry Langley a prominent church architect designed the reconstruction. Much of Fuller’s original design remained. The polychromatic masonry. The solid buttressing. The open bell core. All survived the flames.
Over the years St Stephen’s thrived. It expanded. It was renovated. The Rev James Edward Ward a true innovator. He pioneered broadcasting religious services in the 1920s. First Canadian church to broadcast across the ocean. A truly international congregation. Ward also wrote 75 religious plays for radio. A remarkable talent. A pioneering spirit.
The church faced challenges. Financial difficulties. The rectory the parish hall even part of the church itself were sold. To raise funds. It became a clinic. The building was repurposed. It’s a testament to its resilience.
Today. St Stephen-in-the-Fields stands tall. A symbol of faith. Community. And enduring spirit. It’s a living church. A place where history and faith meet. The stained glass windows. Some dating back to the 1860s. Recently restored. A breathtaking sight. A legacy that continues to inspire. This isn’t just a church. It’s a story. A Toronto story. The story of St Stephen-in-the-Fields. The Trustees of St Stephens. A legacy worth remembering.