Grave markers whisper tales of epidemics long past here at St. Phillips Anglican Church. This church stands as a testament to faith and resilience. It is located on St. Phillips Road in Etobicoke. The story of St. Phillips Anglican Church is a journey through time. It reflects the spirit of its community.
In 1828, pioneering families established St. Philip’s Church and Churchyard. The Mussons, Wadsworths and Grubbs were among these families. They were dedicated to their community. The church was built on the west side of the Humber River.
Initially, the first St. Phillips Anglican Church was a simple wooden structure. Parishioners entered through a front bell tower. It served its purpose until a devastating fire in 1888. Embers from a house across the street ignited the bell tower. The entire church was consumed quickly. The firefighters saved the church’s new organ. The organ needed major repairs. It was used for 50 years.
Services were held temporarily in St. John’s Chapel of Ease. In 1893, the chapel was moved onto Weston Road. The congregation split at this time. One half began building a new church on the site of the original St. Philip’s. The other half stayed at St. John’s Chapel. It eventually became St. John’s Anglican Church.
The new St. Philip’s opened in 1894. Soon after, it became obvious that both congregations could not support two ministers. They also couldn’t support two church buildings financially. Unexpectedly, the bishop announced that St. Philip’s would be closed. The church reopened in 1900. The congregations had grown enough to support both churches. A major addition was made to St. Philip’s in 1955. In December 2016, St. Phillips Anglican Church reopened after major renovations. It now features fully accessible facilities, a new main entry and a new kitchen.
The first rector was the Rev. Dr. Thomas Phillips. He had been vice-principal of Upper Canada College. He served until his death in 1849. During his 16-year tenure, he performed over 3,000 baptisms, marriages and burials. St. Phillip’s Road is named for him. The difference in spelling between the street and the church accounts for this. Rev. William Arthur Johnson arrived in 1856. He built a house on what is still called Rectory Lane. It had an adjacent chapel named St. John’s Chapel of Ease. It was used for small gatherings. He remained at St. Philip’s for 24 years.
The cemetery at St. Philip’s also holds stories. The earliest burial is Isabella in 1828 aged 53. There is a memorial to Dr. William Thistle. Thistletown is named after him. Many markers from 1835 to 1842 mark the diphtheria and smallpox epidemics. In 1841, 26 parishioners died. Fifteen of them were children. Another nine died in early 1842. The churchyard was formally consecrated in 1841. The Right Reverend John Strachan Bishop of Toronto did so. However, there is evidence from parish records and tombstones that burials occurred much earlier.
In 1993, the cemetery’s central corridor was transformed. Pathways now meander through this historic site. It invites all visitors. In 1935 William Rein Wadsworth offered land to enlarge the cemetery. This land was consecrated in 1953 by Bishop Beverly. It is referred to as the “Wadsworth Annex.” St. Philip’s Cemetery is the final resting place for Doug McNichol. He was a professional football player in the CFL from 1953 to 1963.
Today, St. Phillips Anglican Church stands not only as a place of worship. It is a landmark. It tells the story of Etobicoke’s past. It is a place where the community’s roots run deep.