Since 1815
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| Beginnings and Pioneer Days | |
| 1816 | St John's was established by the efforts of the pioneer settlers of the York Mills area, led by Seneca Ketchum. Other families prominent in the early days were Shepard (Joseph Shepard gave the first land for the church), Willson, Mercer, Harrison, van Nostrand and others, many of whom are buried in the churchyard.
The services at first were held in homes and the schoolhouse, until a board and batten one story church was built. Services were conducted by itinerant ministers, including Dr. John Strachan, or divinity students sent out from the downtown church of St James (later the cathedral) over the mud and corduroy roads of the early settlements. In 1831 Charles Mathews was appointed missionary in charge. St John's was thus the second church to be established in the Toronto Diocese, though other churches (such as Blessed Trinity in Thornhill) had resident clergymen before St John's. The church stood on the original Yonge Street, now Old Yonge Street, which was built curved to allow easier passage up the slopes of the Don River. The church was badly damaged in a fire in 1836. A second church and a rectory were planned on land donated by William Marsh. A permanent clergyman was now to be installed ( Thomas Bartlett, then Alexander Sanson) |
| The First Stone Church | |
| 1844 | A new church was opened. John G. Howard, the architect and engineer, who designed many other Toronto buildings of the time. and was owner of Colborne Lodge in High Park, had been commissioned to design it. Much of this church, including the tower, still stands. It was built of local white brick.The church still possesses his architectural drawings, though these are now in bad repair. Incorporated into this church also are some pieces of Baptist and Presbyterian churches formerly also in the York Mills area. Only the small cemetery on York Mills Road now marks their place. The church was heated by 2 stoves and lit first by candles, then by oil lamps. |
| 1847 | A barrel organ , playing about 30 hymn tunes by a pianola arrangement, was purchased by the church for use in services. Until then the choir sang with the help of a tuning-fork. In 1864, 1889, 1928 and 1949 , progressively newer and better organs were purchased. |
| 1878 | A second rectory (still in use) was built. |
| More Developments | |
| Various other construction projects have been undertaken over the course of the years. Renovations were undertaken in 1889. Electricity was installed in 1916. The first Church School building was built in 1925; the basement and van Nostrand Cloister were added in 1939. | |
| Recent History | |
| After the second World War, St John's had its heyday, when the area around the church became part of the suburban building expansion which accompanied the baby boom. New families with young children bought houses in the area, and filled the church and church school to numbers in the thousands. In 1949 a memorial chapel to honour those who had served in the Wars was added. Lack of facilities for the new church population led to a major building program including an addition for the church school from 1952 on, and the Arthur C. McCollum Wing of church offices in 1968. | |
| People and their Contributions | |
| Throughout the years St. John's has experienced ups and downs in congregational levels and financial resources. Some notable clergymen have been Henry Bath Osler (1874- 1900) ,in whose memory the east window is given, Arthur McCollum (1926- 1960), Lewis Garnsworthy, later Bishop (1960-1969 ), James O'Neill (1969-1989 ). Margery Pezzack, the director of the church school for over 20 years, was the first woman priest in the Toronto Diocese. Equally important have been the supportive efforts of laymen. Seneca Ketchum, Joseph Beckett and Arthur Lambe in the 19th century and William Bates in the 20th have been the major forces behind the construction projects and the financial resources needed to keep the church going throughout its history. The women of St. John's have also played a major role in raising money for the church furnishings such as pews and the organs.
Some of the 1844 pews and the old organ can still be seen in the gallery, the chapel and the tower, and beams from the first church can be seen in the Narthex.. The first bell was bought in 1843 and a carillon (played electronically from the organ) added in 1952. Donations of windows and other furnishings for the church, such as the Children's Chapel (named for Kathleen Sladen) and the handbells (Shirley Ingram) have been made by parishioners. A booklet is available in the church giving details of the very fine stained glass windows. More recent donations have been angel windows in the Narthex, the library, and the refurnishing of the main reception room. |
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| St John's Today | |
| The building boom has moved further out and non-Anglican families are moving into the neighbourhood. Although the church has no longer the number of members of 40 years ago, it still retains its hold on the hearts of many people with roots in the parish, who come from surrounding areas to the historic church , its pioneer graveyard and its peaceful site . The rebuilding of parish activities, especially for young people, is creating in St John's once again a community who are finding an active and spiritual home in the old church. | |