Hare Krishna Temple – Originally Church of the Covenant

Hare Krishna Temple – International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), originally Church of the Covenant, is located at 243 Avenue Rd (at Roxborough St W on the northeast corner) in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto.

Built-in 1897/99, architects Gordon & Helliwell designed the Presbyterian church in the Gothic Romanesque Revival style. It was constructed with Credit Valley stone at the cost of $12,000, and the land was valued at $13,000.

In 1906/07, a large extension was added on the west side of the original church. The architecture firm of Symons & Rae designed the present-day structure, and it became home to Avenue Road Presbyterian Church. Built with Kingston limestone, the total cost of the new building was $50,000. There is a sketch of the original church below, before the addition.

In the years to come, the church later became Avenue Road United Church, then the Church of the Nazarene. In 1944, a three-alarm fire swept through the church, which was later restored.

In 1975/76, the Hare Krishna organization took the church building over as its temple.

The building received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 1974 and Ontario Heritage Trust in 1977.

Hare Krishna Temple Photos   

2022 – Hare Krishna Temple – International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), originally Church of the Covenant, is located at 243 Avenue Rd at Roxborough St W on the northeast corner in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto
2022 – Hare Krishna Temple – International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), originally Church of the Covenant, is located at 243 Avenue Rd at Roxborough St W on the northeast corner in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto
1959 - The Avenue Road Church, today's Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON), at 243 Avenue Rd and Roxborough St W
1959 – The Avenue Road Church, today’s Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON), at 243 Avenue Rd and Roxborough St W (City of Toronto Archives, Series 65, File 56, Item 155)
2022 – Looking north from Roxborough St W towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON) at Avenue Rd. The original portion of the church, on the right, was built in 1897/99. In 1906/07, a large extension was added on the west side of the original church. Notice the Church of the Messiah on the left at the corner of Avenue Rd and Dupont St
2022 – Looking north from Roxborough St W towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON) at Avenue Rd. The original portion of the church, on the right, was built in 1897/99. In 1906/07, a large extension was added on the west side of the original church. Notice the Church of the Messiah on the left at the corner of Avenue Rd and Dupont St
2022 - Looking northwest from Roxborough St W towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON). This was the original portion of the church, then known as the Church of the Covenant, built in 1897/99
2022 – Looking northwest from Roxborough St W towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON). This was the original portion of the church, then known as the Church of the Covenant, built in 1897/99
Circa 1899 - Sketch of the Church of the Covenant before a large extension was added in 1906/07 on the west side
Circa 1899 – Sketch of the Church of the Covenant before a large extension was added in 1906/07 on the west side (Toronto Public Library R-1909)
2022 – Looking north from Roxborough St W towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON). This was the original portion of the church, then known as the Church of the Covenant, built in 1897/99. It's made with Credit Valley stone
2022 – Looking north from Roxborough St W towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON). This was the original portion of the church, then known as the Church of the Covenant, built in 1897/99. It’s made with Credit Valley stone
1912 - Postcard of Avenue Road Presbyterian Church at the northeast corner of Avenue Rd and Roxborough St W. Today, it's home to the Hare Krishna Temple
1912 – Postcard of Avenue Road Presbyterian Church at the northeast corner of Avenue Rd and Roxborough St W. Today, it’s home to the Hare Krishna Temple (Toronto Public Library PC166)
2020 - Looking east towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON) at 243 Avenue Rd and Roxborough St W in The Annex neighbourhood. Built-in 1897/99, architects Gordon & Helliwell designed the church in the Gothic Romanesque Revival style
2020 – Looking east towards the Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON) at 243 Avenue Rd and Roxborough St W in The Annex neighbourhood. Built-in 1897/99, architects Gordon & Helliwell designed the church in the Gothic Romanesque Revival style
1954- The Avenue Road Church, today's Hare Krishna Temple at 243 Avenue Rd. Notice the Esso sign in the foreground
1954- The Avenue Road Church, today’s Hare Krishna Temple at 243 Avenue Rd. Notice the Esso sign in the foreground (Toronto Public Library R-1898)
1956 - Looking northeast from Chicora Ave towards the Avenue Road Church at Avenue Rd at Roxborough St W. In 1975/76, the Hare Krishna organization took the church building over as its temple
1956 – Looking northeast from Chicora Ave towards the Avenue Road Church at Avenue Rd at Roxborough St W. In 1975/76, the Hare Krishna organization took the church building over as its temple (Toronto Public Library R-1897)
2020 - Hare Krishna Temple, originally Church of the Covenant, is located at 243 Avenue Rd at Roxborough St W on the northeast corner in the Annex neighbourhood
2020 – Hare Krishna Temple, originally Church of the Covenant, is located at 243 Avenue Rd at Roxborough St W on the northeast corner in the Annex neighbourhood
SOURCE