Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church

Location: Golfview Ave. and Gerrard St. E.

Date photo taken: 20 February 2016

I find Toronto's places of worship fascinating. They range from grand cathedrals to small storefront operations and there are lots of them. Most churches are purpose built and have a pretty unique floor plan and yet they are susceptible to the same shifts in demographics that other buildings face. What happens to a church when the congregation moves on? This church provides an interesting example. 

This building is the second church on this site. The original Glenmount Methodist Church was a small one storey white building built around 1913. It was quickly replaced by this structure, and when the United Church was formed in 1925 from the union of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches, it became Glenmount United. In 1984 it amalgamated with Rhodes United, also on Gerrard and very similar looking, and this building was sold to the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. MCC is a welcoming congregation involved in LGBTQ rights and according to their website, this building was the first property owned in Canada by a lesbian and gay organization. In 1991 MCC moved on to another location and this building was sold to its current occupants, the Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church. This congregation first held services in Toronto in 1833 and counted among its members both free men and runaway slaves. It moved several times over the years and when their property near Queen and Soho sold to developers in 1991, they purchased this building where they continue to hold services.

The Chapel of St. Jude, Wexford

Location: Victoria Park Ave. just south of Lawrence
Date photo taken: 6 May 2014

This quaint church and quiet cemetery sit just off busy Victoria Park Avenue in the Wexford neighbourhood of Scarborough. It was built in 1848 and replicates an existing Scottish Gothic Church. According to a pamphlet on the history of the Chapel, stone was considered too expensive so it was built of wood planks which were then hand-chiseled to give the appearance of cut stone. The work was done by a chief carpenter with the assistance of local farmers. The only parts not built by local workers were the steeple and bell tower. Renovations in 1929 brought several improvements including stained glass windows created by Robert McCausland Limited of Toronto. The church is now considered to be the oldest remaining church building in Scarborough.