Imagine Toronto in 1853. St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church’s story begins then. The Confederation of Canada was still fourteen years away. Queen Victoria had ascended the British throne just 16 years earlier.
Terence O’Neil, a local landowner, donated land to the Archdiocese. He wanted a church built. Prayers would be said for his soul. It must have been a tranquil area. It had a fine view of Lake Ontario.
But it wasn’t until 1892 that a small brick church was built. The cost was $2,800. It stood a few feet from Kingston Road. Archbishop John Walsh consecrated it. This wasn’t Toronto’s oldest Catholic church. St. Paul’s on Power Street was older.
The Boardwalk alongside Lake Ontario was popular. The Beach area had small cottages. City dwellers retreated there on weekends. Sir John A. Macdonald had died. This was the era of St. John’s first church. It was a mission extension of St. Joseph’s.
Finally, in 1909, the Parish of St. John’s was founded. Rev George A. Williams was the first pastor. The area was being built up quickly. A parishioner suggested building a bigger church. He commented on the noise of automobiles. Radial streetcars trundled along Kingston Road.
In 1931, construction started on the current St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. It was on the site of the old church. The cost was $171,453.18. Grading and sodding cost $67.50. Sidewalks cost $335.00. Marble and terrazzo cost $215.82.
Archbishop Neil McNeil opened and blessed it on June 5th, 1932. It was built using Credit Valley sandstone. The design was gothic. Mr. Henry Chown designed it. The church contains fine stained glass. McCausland & Co. created it. The Public Auditor sent a full accounting to Rev. Denis O’Connor.
Today, parishioners appreciate this lovely old church. It’s a small part of Toronto’s history. St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church has long and deep roots. Whether you are a new member, a web-browser, or part of our family, we hope you enjoyed this history of St. John’s. The church offers mass times throughout the week. Visit on Sundays at 09:00 or 11:00. Weekday masses and confession times are also available.