How about stepping back in time to 1887. Here stands St. Luke’s United Church. It began as Sherbourne Street Methodist Church. This beautiful building sits on Sherbourne Street at Carlton Street.
St. Luke’s United Church has a rich history. It started with the Sherbourne Street Methodist Church. Architects Langley and Burke designed it. They chose a Richardsonian Romanesque style.
The church opened its doors on June 5, 1887. It replaced a smaller place of worship. That original building was built in 1871. The stonework and stained glass are quite remarkable.
Back then the church was nicknamed “the millionaires’ church”. Prominent businessmen were members. Names like Sir Joseph Flavelle and Sir Albert Kemp were among them. These men supported the church and the community. Their generosity created a tradition of helping others.
In 1959, Sherbourne United joined with Carlton United. Together they created St. Luke’s United Church. The church building provides space for many activities. It has a sanctuary and a chapel. There is also a gymnasium and two kitchens. Meeting rooms and offices are available too.
St. Luke’s became a community hub. It hosts concerts and provides practice space for musical groups. Dance and theater groups also use the building. Several non-profit organizations benefit from St. Luke’s. Alcoholics Anonymous and abuse prevention programs meet here. Continuing education programs and food banks use the space. Sports groups train in the gymnasium. You might see a fencing club or a martial arts group.
St. Luke’s is open to all. It proudly displays pride flags. It even hosts a dance group for the gay community. The church has a long history of welcoming diverse groups. Up to nine congregations have used the building at once. Besides the United Church of Canada, other groups have worshipped here. These include the Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church. Also the Sheep Flock Korean Presbyterian Church has been a guest.
In more recent times St. Luke’s has been undergoing changes. As of May 2022, renovations were underway. The United Church planned to create community housing. KPMB Architects were in charge of the project. They aimed to keep the original 1887 building. However, they removed later additions to make way for a new structure. The new building would be 12 stories tall. It would contain 100 residential units.
St. Luke’s United Church stands as a testament to community. It is a place of worship, a community center and a welcoming space for all. Its history reflects Toronto’s own story of growth and change. From its grand beginnings to its modern-day adaptations St. Luke’s remains a vital part of the city.