Grace Church on-the-Hill - Toronto, Ontario

The second week of Advent at Grace Church

Grace Church choir warming up for the 10:00am service

Grace Church on-the-Hill Toronto ON

Name: Grace Church on-the-Hill
Address: 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1X4, Canada
Telephone: (416) 488-7884

M4V 1X4

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Who we are

Grace Church is a historic mid-town Toronto church - now well into our ‘second century’ - which welcomes seekers, singles, couples, families, doubters, as well as the devout. That’s our history. God’s church is broadly inclusive.

Our mission is to extend God’s love, sharing it within and beyond our community of faith. We pursue our mission through hospitality and welcome, through outreach and the promotion of justice, through prayer and proclamation, music and worship, and ongoing Christian formation.

Together we comprise a vibrant all-age community of Christians from diverse backgrounds. Some are “cradle Anglicans” but many are newcomers and derive from different traditions. This ‘mix’ not only reflects our city, it enriches all who strive to grow into the mature humanity and freedom Christ offers.

If you are new to here, please don't hesitate to ask questions. We invite you to join the rich ‘mix’ of Grace!

Street Address

Grace Church on-the-Hill

300 Lonsdale Road 

Toronto, ON M4V 1X4

Canada

Phone: (416) 488-7884

Fax: (416) 488-4770

Download Grace Church on-the-Hill vCard with Service Times

Click here to contact the church

Church Pastor

The Rev. Martha Gordon

Incumbent

300 Lonsdale Road 

Toronto, ON M4V 1X4

Canada

Phone: (416) 488-7884

Fax: (416) 488-4770

Download Incumbent The Rev. Martha Gordon vCard with bio

Click here to contact The Rev. Martha Gordon

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Denomination

Anglican Church

Affiliations

Church Website

https://www.gracechurchonthehill.ca/

Grace Church on-the-Hill on Social Media

YouTube Video: Pentecost XVI - September 8, 2024

Leadership

Leader Name:

The Rev. Martha Gordon

Leader Position:

Incumbent

Formal Title:

Leader Address:

Phone:

(416) 488-7884

Fax:

(416) 488-4770

Leader Email:

Click here to contact The Rev. Martha Gordon

Leader Bio:

Martha was born and raised in Toronto and received her foundation in faith as a youngster while attending Grace Church with her family.

She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Carleton University in Ottawa in 1989, the same year she moved to Zimbabwe and two years later Johannesburg, South Africa. She stayed in South Africa after the first democratic elections in 1994 to continue to help build the young democracy and raise a family with her then husband (now divorced).

She also has a Master’s in History, a Bachelor of Theology and Higher Education Diploma and led communication, advocacy and fundraising programmes for health and educational organisations until entering full-time ministry upon ordination in January 2016.

Her son Keorapetse is a youth worker and soccer coach in Waterloo, Ontario. Her daughter Thato is a digital media designer and artist in Johannesburg.

Martha loves the outdoors and was Co-ordinator of the Johannesburg Anglican Eco-Spiritual Initiative (JAEI). She is a facilitator for the Institute for the Healing of Memories, founded by Fr Michael Lapsley, and is passionate about healing, pastoral care and social outreach, and making a difference wherever God calls her.

She has served in many parishes and most recently was Rector of a cluster of three churches in Johannesburg (St Francis, St John & St Laurence) before relocating back to Toronto in November 2023. She is delighted to be back at Grace and invites you to connect with her.

The Rev. Martha Gordon on Social Media:

Other Church Leaders:

Irina Dubinski, Assistant Curate
Rev. Dr. Judy Paulsen Honorary Assistant
Marlene Carscallen, Parish Deacon

Leadership Photos

Rev. Martha Gordon

Director of Operations Savannah Boddy

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Administration

Admin Name:

Savannah Boddy

Admin Position:

Director of Operations

Admin Address:

Phone:

(416) 488-7884

Fax:

(416) 488-4770

Admin Email:

Click here to contact Savannah Boddy

Mailing Address

Location and Directions

Driving Directions

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Grace Church on-the-Hill Service Times

Sundays: In Person & Livestream

8:00 AM | Said Holy Communion (no music)

Each week, the first service is followed by Christian Education hour at 9:00am.

10:00 AM | Choral Eucharist
Coffee Hour follows the 10:00 AM Service

We have Children's Church and Nursery running every Sunday

Weekdays

Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 AM: Service of Morning Prayer
Wednesdays at 10:30 AM: Service of Midweek Eucharist

These services are held in the Chapel (to the right as you come in the door from the narthex), and are open to any who wishes to join.

Grace Church on-the-Hill service times last updated on the 6th of September, 2024

ZOOM

ICAL

Worship Languages

Dress Code

Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities

Under 12s:

Please join us for Sunday School and Nursery during the 10:00 a.m. service

Sunday School: - 5 to 12 years
Sunday Nursery: 0 – 4 years

Under 18s:

Youth Group (12-17 years)
The Grace Church Youth Group meets on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30 for food and fun. Christmas and Easter parties; a Good Friday drama; Pancake Tuesday; outings around Toronto, and much, much more.

Local outreach & community activities

Other activities & ministries

Special Needs/Accessibility

Prayers and Hymns

Main Bible:

Hymns and Songs:

Other information

Average Adult Congregation:

Average Youth Congregation:

Additional Info:

Grace Church on-the-Hill Church Toronto Photos

Grace Church on-the-Hill - Toronto, Ontario

Grace Church Christmas Pageant 2015

The second week of Advent at Grace Church

Grace Church choir warming up for the 10:00am service

Chapel Windows at Grace Church

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Grace Church on-the-Hill History

Grace Church, the 15th Anglican Church in the City of Toronto, was established on September 17, 1874. Initially, services were held in a small rented frame building on Elizabeth Street until the original church was built on the south side of Elm Street between Bay and Elizabeth. The cornerstone was laid in 1875, and the church formally opened on January 2, 1876.

Over time, the area surrounding the church drew in more businesses, and it was decided that the church should relocate. After much deliberation in 1911, property on the northwest corner of Russell Hill Road and Lonsdale Road, was purchased from Lawrence Baldwin. In early December 1911, the first services were held in Grace Church in the old frame building of Christ Church, Deer Park, which had been purchased for $300 and pulled by horses along Lonsdale from Yonge Street to Russell Hill. The organ, altar, font, and pulpit were transferred from Elm Street. The same font now sits just inside the main doors of the church and is used regularly for all baptisms.

The turning of the first sod for the building of a church and rectory, designed by Eden Smith, took place in May, 1912. His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught, Governor General of Canada, officiated at the ceremony. The silver spade that he used to turn the sod is among the treasures held in the parish archives. On December 7, 1912, the cornerstone was laid, together with the cornerstone of Grace Church, Elm Street, and other memorabilia of the time.

The rectory was completed the following September, and the opening services of the church were held on December 21, 1913. In 1923 the construction of the Parish Hall, a large auditorium with gymnasium below, was completed, as well as vestries on the north side of the chancel. It was not until 1938, however, that the original Eden Smith design was completed, with a chapel on the south side. The two-story addition to the west, originally built as the Christian Education Centre in 1955, now houses offices, meeting rooms, and the Child Care Centre.

Renovations to the nave and chancel of the church were undertaken in 1997, enlarging the chancel and adding a crossing Communion table and new choir pews. A number of the original Arts and Crafts pews were kept, with their distinctive crosses on either side.

In the original baptistry area of the church is a Columbarium, a sanctuary for the cremated remains of individuals and families. Constructed in 2001, it comprises 216 marble niches with engraved bronze face plaques, each niche capable of accommodating one or two interments.

The church is built of grey Credit Valley limestone with Indiana limestone trim, and the pews are all oak.