Grace Toronto Church – Built in 1878

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TorontoJourney416
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Grace Toronto Church, originally St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, is located at 383 Jarvis St (at Carlton St on the southeast corner) in the Garden District of Toronto.

Built in 1878, architects Langley, Langley & Burke designed the church in the Gothic Revival style. The structure is made from Credit Valley freestone with Ohio stone dressing and has two entrances underneath the towers on Jarvis St.

The amphitheatre-shaped interior is canopied with 11 m or 36 ft tall groined arches supported by iron piers. The hand-carved cherry and walnut pulpit was designed by architect William G Storm. When first built, the church seated 900 parishioners. The value of the property was approximately $57,000.

Originally St Andrews Presbyterian Church, it later became St Andrew’s United Church and, in 1951, St Andrew’s Lutheran Church. In 2015, the church was sold and became home to Grace Toronto Church.

The church building received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 1980.

Grace Toronto Church Photos

2020 - Grace Toronto Church, originally St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, is located at 383 Jarvis St at Carlton St on the southeast corner in the Garden District of Toronto
2020 – Grace Toronto Church, originally St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, is located at 383 Jarvis St at Carlton St on the southeast corner in the Garden District of Toronto
Between 1900 and 1920 – Looking southeast towards St Andrews Presbyterian Church at 383 Jarvis St and Carlton St. Built in 1878, architects Langley, Langley & Burke designed the church in the Gothic Revival style
Between 1900 and 1920 – Looking southeast towards St Andrews Presbyterian Church at 383 Jarvis St and Carlton St. Built in 1878, architects Langley, Langley & Burke designed the church in the Gothic Revival style (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1568, Item 463)
2020 - Grace Toronto Church, originally St. Andrew's Church at 383 Jarvis St at Carlton St, southeast corner
2020 – Grace Toronto Church, originally St. Andrew’s Church at 383 Jarvis St at Carlton St, southeast corner
2020 – The main Jarvis St entrance and tower of Grace Toronto Church. The church was designed by architects Langley, Langley & Burke and originally St Andrews Presbyterian Church
2020 – The main Jarvis St entrance and tower of Grace Toronto Church. The church was designed by architects Langley, Langley & Burke and originally St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Sketch of the Old St. Andrew's Church, today's Grace Toronto Church, at Carlton St and Jarvis St
Sketch of the Old St. Andrew’s Church, today’s Grace Toronto Church, at Carlton St and Jarvis St (Landmarks of Toronto Volume 4 by J Ross Robertson – 1904)
1972 – Looking southeast towards St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, today's Grace Church Toronto, at 383 Jarvis St and Carlton St. The church was built in 1878 and was originally St Andrews Presbyterian Church
1972 – Looking southeast towards St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, today’s Grace Church Toronto, at 383 Jarvis St and Carlton St. The church was built in 1878 and was originally St Andrews Presbyterian Church (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 4, Item 3)
2020 – Looking northeast from Jarvis St, just south of Carlton St, towards Grace Toronto Church in the Garden District
2020 – Looking northeast from Jarvis St, just south of Carlton St, towards Grace Toronto Church in the Garden District
2022 – Looking southeast towards Grace Toronto Church, originally St Andrew's Church at 383 Jarvis St and Carlton St
2022 – Looking southeast towards Grace Toronto Church, originally St Andrew’s Church at 383 Jarvis St and Carlton St
2020 – Looking southwest towards Grace Toronto Church tower and spire along with the Equilibrium mural by Okuda San Miguel on the east facade of Parkside Student Residences at Jarvis St and Carlton St
2020 – Looking southwest towards Grace Toronto Church tower and spire along with the Equilibrium mural by Okuda San Miguel on the east facade of Parkside Student Residences at Jarvis St and Carlton St
2021 - The heritage plaque reads: St. Andrew’s Church “Designed by Langley & Burke in Gothic style and built of Credit Valley stone, this church was dedicated 17 March 1878. The Rev. Dr. G. M. Milligan, the first minister, who served here for over two decades, initiated its construction for his Presbyterian congregation. With St. Andrew’s Church (1875) at King and Simcoe streets, it re-placed the original Old St. Andrew’s (1831-1978) at Church and Adelaide streets. In 1951, the building was acquired by Estonian and Latvian Lutherans who arrived here as refugees following the occupation of their homelands on the Baltic Sea during World War II.” Toronto Historical Board 1978
2021 – The heritage plaque reads:

St. Andrew’s Church

“Designed by Langley & Burke in Gothic style and built of Credit Valley stone, this church was dedicated 17 March 1878. The Rev. Dr. G. M. Milligan, the first minister, who served here for over two decades, initiated its construction for his Presbyterian congregation. With St. Andrew’s Church (1875) at King and Simcoe streets, it re-placed the original Old St. Andrew’s (1831-1978) at Church and Adelaide streets. In 1951, the building was acquired by Estonian and Latvian Lutherans who arrived here as refugees following the occupation of their homelands on the Baltic Sea during World War II.”

Toronto Historical Board 1978
SOURCE
  • City of Toronto Heritage Register: 383 Jarvis St
  • Heritage Toronto plaque
  • The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Nov 5, 1951, pg 9
  • Landmarks of Toronto: Volume 1 by J Ross Robertson (1904), pgs 225-233
  • St Andrew’s Latvian Church Toronto: History
  • Mural: Equilibrium by artist Okuda San Miguel
  • Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
  • Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives

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