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Christ Church Scarborough Village (Anglican)
155 Markham Road, Toronto, ON, M1M 3A1 The Rev. Beverley Williams Phone 416-261-4169 ~ Fax 416-261-7949 ~ Office E-mail |
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History of Christ Church Scarborough  Church services in early Scarborough were conducted at irregular intervals in settler's log cabins, in barns, roadside inns and schools. The first Anglican Church in the Toronto area east of the Don River, was St. Margaret's Church in-the-Pines, built in 1833. Within a few years plans were formed and funds raised for a new, larger church to be erected on what was considered to be a better location, a hilltop on the north side of Kingston Road, just east of the present Cromwell Road and west of the C.N.R. railway line, at the old stop 28.
On Christmas morning, 1918 while about eighty people attended Service, fire broke out. Despite the efforts of the congregational bucket-brigade, the building burned rapidly and completely. One of the few relics saved was the Honour Roll from World War I, which still hangs in the Narthex of the present church. Arrangements were made to use Charles Beldam's garage for Sunday School and Sunday services while a new church was under construction. In April 1921, a new $14,000 red brick church was completed on the same site as the original building. For fifteen more years, the Christ Church spire continued to be a landmark for south Scarborough. Until a few years ago the foundations of that church could be seen on the hill just above the centre of the steel retaining wall on the north side of Kingston Road, where a small subdivision is now located. By 1936 increasing population brought the need for better highways and therefore work began to widen and level the old Kingston Road to create a four-lane highway. This encroachment upon the church property forced yet another change. It was decided to dismantle the building and rebuild on Markham Road, about a mile to the west. While this occurred, services were held each week in No. 9 School, Scarborough Village.
In 1988, "Renewal 88" raised $265,000 to provide several fundamental changes. These included an elevator and accessible washrooms, and modifications to the chancel area, including a new organ. The year 1993 saw the erection of a lighted church sign and message board. Since our 150th Anniversary there has been a noticeable change, and this one is indicative of the demographic shift in Scarborough. Our congregation reflects the evolution of our church and our community, a community that is ethnically and culturally diverse. We look forward to worshipping, working harmoniously together and celebrating the beauty of God's creations within the Anglican Communion. This gives us at Christ Church Scarborough Village the opportunity to continue the tradition of weaving beautiful threads of diversity in God's quilt of life, celebrating the continuity and accepting with great passion the changes and blessings that God's grace has brought us. For more than One Hundred and Sixty five years Christ Church Scarborough Village has actively served God and the people of Scarborough, a heritage of which we are all proud. |
During the years 1845 and 1846 Christ Church was built; a frame structure with a bell tower and stately spire. It was a landmark for Scarborough stagecoach travelers. For many years Christ Church was the centre of life and worship for the Anglicans of the surrounding county, since St. Margaret's Church was then used only for seasonal services and funerals.
The rebuilt third Christ Church (the present building), architecturally similar to its predecessors, was opened in December 1937. The parish hall and connecting stairways were added in 1955 and the two offices built in 1976.
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