Church of The Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer is located at 162 Bloor St. West in central Toronto on the northeast corner of Bloor St. West and Avenue Road. By subway it is just north of the Museum station (Yonge-University line) or equidistant from either the St. George or Bay stations (Bloor-Danforth line). There is an access ramp for disabled on the Avenue Road side of the church (west side). Pushing the round paddle on the wall to the left of the door at the top of the ramp will open it for you.
The church was built in 1879 by Smith and Gemmell who also designed Knox College, now part of the University of Toronto campus. Between 1906 and 1929, stained glass windows were installed, most of them designed by N.T. Lyons, a stained glass firm known for its naturalistic, three-dimensional style. In 1904, the Casavant pipe organ was installed. The Parish Hall was built on the north side of the property in 1881 and the Rectory, to the east of the Church, was erected in 1891. While the landscape around the Church changed over several generations from veritable country lanes to a bustling downtown core, the church remained a constant at the corner of Bloor St and Avenue Rd.
By the late 1970’s, Church of the Redeemer had like many other downtown churches fallen on hard times. In 1979 the parish was disestablished with ownership of the buildings passing to the Diocese of Toronto. In 1980, land and air rights surrounding the Church building were sold to the developers of the Renaissance Centre. However the parish began to grow again and was re-established in 1986, with owership of the buildings returning to the parish in 1989. In 1995 the parish celebrated its 125th anniversary. With membership growing to over 350 families in the late 90’s, an ambitious construction program to expand the facilities was begun in 2000 and completed in 2001.
The Casavant pipe organ was built in 1903 and completely refurbished in 2006. It contains 45 stops, including some new pipework and a revoiced Choir division. The console is located at the front of the church on the east side, making it ideal for solo and chamber music concerts.
The Poet in Melody
Wednesday, May 7, 20086:00-6:45 p.m.
Tickets $7.50
A Night at the Opera
Wednesday, May 14, 20086:00-6:45 p.m.
Tickets $7.50
Paris, c'est magnifique!
Wednesday, May 21, 20086:00-6:45 p.m.
Tickets $7.50
Melodious Keyboards
Wednesday, May 28, 20086:00-6:45 p.m
Tickets $7.50