Rosedale United Church has stood on the corner of Roxborough Avenue and Glen Road for a hundred years.
Through two world wars, 16 prime ministers and generations of Rosedale parishioners, the history-rich church has remained at the centre of the community, not just as a spiritual home, but also as a community hub.
“The church is one of only a couple of public spaces in the neighbourhood,” says Rev. Doug Norris, team leader at Rosedale United Church. “Even if the family is not active, it becomes an important place to gather.”
Norris says the church is always vibrant and busy. A child care program runs daily in the basement. Sunday school programs for children and youth are offered weekly. Alcoholics Anonymous meets in the church basement Thursday evenings. The church also hosts Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, music lessons, yoga and meditation sessions and reiki treatments.
Church services take place Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Norris leads weekly sermons for a congregations of 430 families in rotation with two other ministers; Rev. Karen Bowles is the minister of pastoral care and Rev. Kristin Philipson is the minister to youth and children.
The church’s youth group is very involved with the Red Door Family Shelter and has recently organized a week-long summer program for children at the shelter. The church is affiliated with other charity organizations like the Out of the Cold program and Habitat for Humanity.
The church also sponsors two refugee families in Syria who are waiting to be approved for travel to Canada.
“Here’s a reality. Most of the members of this church are financially secure and have lived a fortunate life,” says Patsy Anderson, Rosedale church’s Clerk of Session. “A lot of these families are motivated to make sure that their children know how important outreach is and how important it is to acknowledge that there are many less fortunate than you.”
Norris says if there is one thing this community should keep in mind on their centennial, it is to come away with an appreciation of the men and women of the congregation, present and past.
The church building was originally built in 1913 by architect John Gemmell. The Northern Congregational Church bought the lot in 1914 for $65,000.
In 1925, the church became the Rosedale United Church as a result of the union of various episcopal groups in Canada. In 1950, the interior was renovated and again 2002 by McGilivray Architect, for improved acoustics for the church’s worship space.
The church’s exterior remains the same. The main facade of the church has the relatively simple gothic style many of Gemmell’s church buildings (the Toronto firm is also responsible for many church buildings throughout the city, including the Church of the Redeemer at Bloor Street and Avenue Road, as well as the University of Toronto’s Knox College at College Street and Spadina Avenue.)
The limestone masonry at Rosedale United has been restored throughout the years, but the original stone remains.
The original slate roofing has been replaced with much sturdier material and is being refurbished again in anticipation of the centennial celebrations. The church’s meeting rooms and halls are also seeing some light renovation through the replacement of old furniture and a fresh coat of paint.
This story was originally published in GoodLife magazine‘s September/October 2014 issue on page 58-59.
Jean Ko Din 