We are close to Christmas Eve. After the family dinner, Catholic tradition has it that everyone goes to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Italian families, in fact, await fervently the night of the 24th to go to church and attend the holiest mass of the year. Italians in Toronto mainly frequent St. Clare’s Church. But there is also another church with a strong Italian bond. St Francis of Assis Church. Let’s find out its story.
The history of the church dedicated to the Saint of Assisi
Located in the Little Italy neighborhood, St Francis of Assis Church was erected in 1902. It is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the saint and poet of Assisi. The friars of the Franciscan order are, in fact, the custodians of this center of worship in the city of Ontario. Designed by the architect Charles J. Read, it was located on the corner of Dundas and Grace Street. It had a neo-Gothic style and was characterized by red bricks. In 1903 it was consecrated and religious services began to be celebrated there. It became a point of reference for the many Europeans who emigrated to Canada, especially Italians and Irish. The number of faithful grew significantly, so much so that the structure was no longer able to contain them. It was therefore decided to create a new and larger church. However this church remained, but was named after St. Agnes.
The foundation stone was laid in 1914 at the intersection of Grace Street and Mansfield Avenue. In addition to the church, Arthur William Holmes’ plan also included a rectory. Inside the first stone was inserted a copper box with coins, newspapers and a parchment bearing the names of the governor of the country of that time, the archbishop, the pastor and also the architect. Within a year, the new St Francis Church was ready to be blessed and consecrated. It was inaugurated with the concert of the Glee Club of Saint Fancis.
St Francis of Assis Church and its Gothic style
A grand stone structure, in Gothic style, with transepts and magnificent stained glass windows. There are twenty-one to be exact, four of which represent the main moments of the life of the Italian saint. These, however, were not made in Toronto like the others, but in Germany. The central rose window is flanked by two of the windows with a typical Gothic arch. It is accessed through some steps and three entrances surmounted also by Gothic arches. Inside, however, the pipe organ deserves special mention. It date back to 1914 and was built by the Canadian Pipe Organ Company, it is characterized by brass pipes with lead elements that give the sound a unique melody and beauty. The Franciscans, however, remained in service in the church of St. Agnes.
While the new church of St Francis was under the pastoral care of the diocesan clergy of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Due to the constant increase of the Italian community, the Franciscans returned to the church of the founder of their order. They therefore began to manage the administration of the former and the new church of St. Francis. In 1970s, however, the church of St. Agnes has passed to the Portuguese community. While the Italian community and the Franciscan order continue to attend the church of St. Francis of Assis. This Catholic center has been the cradle and witness of many vocations of priests and nuns, who have formed here and from here have started their journey of faith. Every morning, from Monday to Friday, at 8 am, while on Sunday at 9 am, Reverend Francis Walter celebrates mass in Italian.
Featured image: from St Francis of Assis Church facebook page
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