Timothy Eaton Memorial Church is a church located at 230 St. Clair Avenue West in Forest Hill, Toronto, Ontario. Originally Methodist, since 1925, it has belonged to the United Church of Canada. The church is named in memory of Timothy Eaton, founder of the Eaton's department store chain, whose family donated the land the church sits on. It was completed in 1915 in the Gothic Revival style by Wickson & Gregg.
| Timothy Eaton Memorial Church | |
|---|---|
 South side of the church in 2008 | |
 | |
| 43°41′10″N 79°24′21″W / 43.686207°N 79.405822°W | |
| Location | 230 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Denomination | United Church of Canada |
| Previous denomination | Methodist Church |
| Website | www.temc.ca |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Wickson & Gregg |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1911 |
| Completed | 1915 |
| Clergy | |
| Minister(s) | The Revs. Dr. Jason Byassee and Lorraine Diaz |
History
edit
The Methodist Social Union of Toronto approached members of the Eaton family for their support in the creation of a church in the area. As a memorial to her husband, Timothy Eaton, Margaret Wilson Eaton and her son, John Craig Eaton, donated the land for the church and financed the construction of the original structures.[1][2]
The Sunday School building was completed in 1911 and used for worship services until the sanctuary opened. The design work for the church building was done by the architectural firm of Wickson & Gregg. Construction was completed in 1915.[1]
One of the church's best-known features is a 1915 stained glass reproduction of The Light of the World by English Pre-Raphaelite painter Holman Hunt;[2] it was dedicated in memory of Timothy Eaton. After the death of Sir John Craig Eaton, additional memorial windows were added.[1] The majority of the stained glass in the church was created by the Robert McCausland Company of Toronto.[1]
Famed Air Force ace Billy Bishop was married in the church, and his funeral was held there four decades later.[3] The property has been listed in the City of Toronto Heritage Property Inventory since January 2008.[4]
Broadcasts
editThis congregation has been known for its preaching ministry and music, and it has maintained radio and later internet broadcasts of its services.[2] Sunday morning services are broadcast over 1540 CHIN-AM.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "1REASONS FOR LISTING: 230 ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST ATTACHMENT NO. 4B" (PDF). toronto.ca. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "Eaton church snobby? Parish the thought | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ The Courage of the Early Morning: the Story of Billy Bishop, W.A. Bishop, 1966.
- ^ "230 ST CLAIR AVE W". City of Toronto Heritage Register. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
- ^ "Timothy Eaton". CHIN Radio. Archived from the original on 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
External links
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