Timothy Eaton Memorial Church

Timothy Eaton Memorial Church (TEMC), at 230 St. Clair Avenue West in Toronto, Ontario, was completed in 1915 as the church building for a Methodist congregation. It was named in memory of Timothy Eaton, founder of the Eaton's department store chain. TEMC joined the United Church of Canada when that denomination was founded in 1925, and it is a member of the Churches on the Hill group.[1]

Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in 2008
43.686207°N 79.405822°W / 43.686207; -79.405822
Location230 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
CountryCanada
DenominationUnited Church of Canada
Previous denominationMethodist
Websitewww.temc.ca
History
StatusActive
Architecture
Architect(s)Wickson & Gregg
StyleEnglish Gothic
Years built1914–1915
Clergy
Minister(s)Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling

History
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, as pictured in the pages of the opening services programme, December 1914

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.[2][3]

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.[2]

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;[3] it was dedicated in memory of Timothy Eaton. After the death of Sir John Craig Eaton, additional memorial windows were added.[2] The majority of the stained glass in the church was created by the Robert McCausland Company of Toronto.[2]

Famed Air Force ace Billy Bishop was married in the church, and his funeral was held there four decades later.[4] The property has been listed in the City of Toronto Heritage Property Inventory since January 2008.[5]

Broadcasts

This congregation has been known for its preaching ministry and music, and it has maintained radio and later internet broadcasts of its services.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Churches on-the-Hill". yorkminsterpark.com. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  2. "1REASONS FOR LISTING: 230 ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST ATTACHMENT NO. 4B" (PDF). toronto.ca. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  3. "Eaton church snobby? Parish the thought | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  4. The Courage of the Early Morning: the Story of Billy Bishop, W.A. Bishop, 1966.
  5. "230 ST CLAIR AVE W". City of Toronto Heritage Register. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
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