St Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church is located on Cibola Ave, on the Toronto Islands. The picturesque church originally stood on the south side of Centre Island, facing the shore of Lake Ontario (southeast of today’s Island Water Treatment Plant). The church was moved from the beachfront to its present location in 1959 and continues today as a place of worship for the island community.
Built in 1884 as a part of the Cathedral Church of St James parish, St Andrew by-the-Lake cost $2,000 to construct. Architect Arthur Richard Denison designed the wooden structure in a semi-Gothic and Medieval variation of the Stick-Style. The cream-coloured church features chocolate-brown trim and a belfry. Beautiful stained glass windows throughout the church include a Robert McCausland-designed triptych in the north chancel.
Also built and designed by Denison in 1884 was the whimsical rectory for the Right Reverend Arthur Sweatman. The pretty little structure known as “Happy-Go-Lucky” was located next to the church on the west side.
In 1959, St Andrew by-the-Lake church, rectory and parish hall were sold to the city’s Parks Department for $22,978. While the rectory and parish hall were demolished, the church was moved to Cibola Ave and leased back to the Synod.
The church received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 1973 and Ontario Heritage Trust in 1979.
St Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church Photos
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: St Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church
- Ontario Heritage Trust: St Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church
- Heritage Toronto
- Landmarks of Toronto: Volume 4 by J Ross Robertson (1904), pgs 51-55
- Lost Toronto by William Dendy (1978), pg 27
- St Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church: History
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives & Toronto Public Library
- Vintage Map: Atlas of the City of Toronto 1890 by Chas E Goad from the Toronto Public Library