College Street United Church & The Channel Club – A Local Landmark

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1956 – Looking northwest towards the College Street United Church, originally College Street Presbyterian Church, located at 456 College St and Bathurst St. Notice the church once had a north wing and a polygonal tower
1956 – Looking northwest towards the College Street United Church, originally College Street Presbyterian Church, located at 456 College St and Bathurst St (Toronto Public Library S1-3640)

College Street United Church and The Channel Club are located at 456 College St (at Bathurst St on the northwest corner) in the Palmerston-Little Italy neighbourhood of Toronto.

Built in 1884/85 and originally the College Street Presbyterian Church, architects Smith & Gemmell designed the structure in the Gothic Revival style. Made from red brick and trimmed with stone, the local landmark features lancet windows, trefoil and quatrefoil tracery, a gabled roof and a single pinnacle on the tower. The interior was renowned for its arches and gleaming oak. At the time, the church and property were valued at $45,000.

In 1892, architects Smith & Gemmell designed a north wing and a polygonal tower addition.

The church received heritage status from Ontario Heritage Trust in 1986 and the City of Toronto the following year; however it had fallen into disrepair. Despite efforts to save the church, in 1988, much of it was demolished except for the tower.

The Channel Club incorporated the church tower into the development, with the new College Street United Church occupying the ground floor and the condo residences on the storeys above.

College Street United Church Photos

2021 - College Street United Church and The Channel Club condo building is located at 456 College and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner in the Palmerston-Little Italy neighbourhood
2021 – College Street United Church and The Channel Club condo building is located at 456 College and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner in the Palmerston-Little Italy neighbourhood
1956 – Looking northwest towards the College Street United Church, originally College Street Presbyterian Church, located at 456 College St and Bathurst St. Notice the church once had a north wing and a polygonal tower
1956 – Looking northwest towards the College Street United Church, originally College Street Presbyterian Church, located at 456 College St and Bathurst St. Notice the church once had a north wing and a polygonal tower (Toronto Public Library S1-3640)
1925 - Originally the College Street Presbyterian Church, later College Street United Church, located on the northwest corner of College St and Bathurst St. Architects Smith & Gemmell designed the church in the Gothic Revival style
1925 – Originally the College Street Presbyterian Church, later College Street United Church, located on the northwest corner of College St and Bathurst St. Architects Smith & Gemmell designed the church in the Gothic Revival style (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 5475)
1934 – Looking west from east of Bathurst St and College St. Notice College Street United Church on the right
1934 – Looking west from east of Bathurst St and College St. Notice College Street United Church on the right (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series70, Item 445)
2022 – Looking northwest along College St from east of Bathurst St in the Palmerston Little Italy neighbourhood. Notice College Street United Church and The Channel Club condo building on the right and in the distance, the former College Street Baptist Church at Palmerston Blvd
2022 – Looking northwest along College St from east of Bathurst St in the Palmerston Little Italy neighbourhood. Notice College Street United Church and The Channel Club condo building on the right and in the distance, the former College Street Baptist Church at Palmerston Blvd
Late 1980s - The Channel Club condo being constructed around College Street United Church at 456 College and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner
Late 1980s – The Channel Club condo being constructed around College Street United Church at 456 College and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 752, Item 8)
Sketch of College Street Presbyterian Church at College St and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner. The church was built in 1884/85 with an addition in 1892
Sketch of College Street Presbyterian Church at College St and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner. The church was built in 1884/85 with an addition in 1892 (Landmarks of Toronto Volume 4 by J Ross Robertson – 1904)
1890 - Goads Map showing the location of the College Street Presbyterian Church at College St and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner
1890 – Goads Map showing the location of the College Street Presbyterian Church at College St and Bathurst St, on the northwest corner (Toronto Public Library)
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