St. Barthomew

Did Toronto’s St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church always stand here, a quiet sentinel amidst the urban bustle? The answer, like the city itself, is layered with history. St. Bartholomew’s, a cornerstone of the Regent Park community, wasn’t always at this intersection of Dundas and Regent. Its journey began in 1873, further east on Dundas, then known as Beech Street. The church was a mission of All Saints, Sherbourne Street. It was designed by Walter Reginald Strickland, an architect whose work dots Toronto’s historical landscape. St. Bartholomew’s served as a spiritual anchor, even giving rise to another parish, St. Matthew’s, Riverdale, as its own mission in 1874. But the city was growing. In 1910, the construction of the Dundas Street bridge necessitated a move. Imagine the spectacle: the entire church structure, pulled westward by a team of horses, to its current location. St. Bartholomew’s faced challenges during the First World War, a time of uncertainty and hardship. Yet, amidst these trials, its spiritual core remained strong, nurtured by groups like the St. Bartholomew’s Association. The church’s identity as an Anglo-Catholic parish solidified under the leadership of Reverend Charles Fredrick Pashler, a veteran of the First World War. He brought with him not just the traditions of the Church of England, but also the simple piety he observed in rural France. He championed daily Mass, the use of Eucharistic vestments, and a deeper embrace of Anglo-Catholic practices. St. Bartholomew’s became a beacon of this tradition, a place where beauty and reverence intertwined. Reverend Pashler’s legacy continued even after his sudden death in 1959. The city honored him by renaming the street where the Clergy House stood “Pashler Avenue”. His successors, Reverend Donald F. Bellway and Reverend Robert Greene, furthered his work, engaging with the emerging social needs of the Regent Park community. They established outreach programs, offering meals, support, and a sense of belonging. This spirit of service drew the attention of Mother Teresa herself, who visited St. Bartholomew’s in 1986, a testament to its commitment to compassion. Today, St. Bartholomew’s stands amidst a revitalized Regent Park. It continues its mission of service and faith. Its rich history, etched in its very stones, whispers tales of resilience, community, and unwavering devotion.