St. Mary’s Church

A chilling discovery beneath the foundation. This is the story of St. Mary’s Church. St. Mary’s Church stands on land with a hidden past. In 1835, Bishop Alexander Macdonell requested land for Toronto’s Catholic community. Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head granted a plot. This plot was part of the Garrison Reserve. It came with a condition. The church had to include free seating for military personnel. The land held a grim secret, unbeknownst to anyone. It had served as a cholera cemetery during the 1832 and 1834 epidemics. This gruesome fact was unearthed during the construction of the first St. Mary’s Church. Imagine the workers’ shock as they uncovered numerous unmarked graves beneath their feet. The first St. Mary’s Church, a modest white brick building, was completed in 1852. It became a vital hub for the growing Irish Catholic community. However, its foundations were unstable. By 1858, the building began to sink. It had to be demolished. A second church was built on the same spot in 1860. This was consecrated the same year as the adjacent St. Mary’s school. Sadly, this second church inherited the foundational problems of its predecessor. Despite attempts to reinforce the structure with iron girders, it too began to experience structural issues. The growing congregation needed a more permanent solution. In 1883, they commissioned renowned architect Joseph Connolly to design a new church. Construction began in 1885. The result is the magnificent St. Mary’s Church we see today. Completed in 1889, the French Gothic Revival style church is a masterpiece of architecture. The church’s grandeur is undeniable, with its soaring nave, pointed Gothic arches, and stained-glass windows. The rich interior is adorned with carved angel corbels and frescoes. The chancel ceiling boasts an impressive groined design. The exterior is equally striking, with polished granite pillars, rose windows with intricate tracery, and the crowning glory, the tower. Interestingly, the tower wasn’t part of the original 1889 construction. Due to financial constraints, the belfry and octagonal spire were added later, in 1905. They were designed by Arthur Holmes, a protégé of Joseph Connolly. St. Mary’s Church has witnessed the changing demographics of the neighborhood. From its Irish immigrant beginnings, it has welcomed Polish and Ukrainian communities. Since the 1960s, it has become a focal point for the Portuguese community, particularly during the annual Santo Cristo Festival. St. Mary’s Church isn’t just a building. It is a testament to the resilience and faith of generations of Toronto’s Catholic community. It is a place where history and spirituality intertwine. A place built upon a foundation of both tragedy and hope. So, as you stand before St. Mary’s Church, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. From a cholera cemetery to a beacon of faith, the story of St. Mary’s is a powerful reminder of Toronto’s rich and complex past.