From its humble beginnings in a St Jamestown schoolhouse in 1991 San Lorenzo Ruiz Anglican Parish has a rich history. A small group of mostly Filipino immigrants gathered for worship. Their faith brought them together. This small congregation became a vibrant community.
The journey of San Lorenzo Ruiz wasn’t always easy. Initially a handful of people they rented space at St Peter’s Anglican Church on Carlton Street in 1992. Rev Gordon Finney helped them join the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. Rev Ariel Dumaran their first pastor guided them. He was later ordained in the Diocese of Toronto. The parish grew welcoming people of different backgrounds.
The parish moved several times. It sought a permanent home. They moved to St Bartholomew’s Regent Park in 2000 then to St Matthew’s Riverdale in 2004. Finally they found a temporary home at St Peter and St Simon the Apostle in 2007. It is where they remain today.
In 1993 Bishop Terence Finlay officially welcomed San Lorenzo Ruiz into the Anglican Church of Canada. He named the congregation after St Lorenzo Ruiz the first Filipino saint. This was a significant milestone. It represented a Filipino presence within the Diocese of Toronto.
San Lorenzo Ruiz Anglican Parish is more than just a place of worship. It’s a home for Filipino immigrants in Toronto. It’s a multicultural community. It’s a place where people of diverse backgrounds come together to share their faith. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith and community.