Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Metropolitan United Church
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
1. Metropolitan United Church Marker
This "Cathedral of Methodism" was designed by Henry Langley in the High Victorian Gothic style. The cornerstone was laid by the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D., in 1870 and the church was dedicated in 1872. It replaced an earlier structure at the southeast corner of Adelaide and Toronto Streets. The first missionaries from Canada to Japan were commissioned in this church on May 7, 1873. The inaugural service of the Methodist Church of Canada was held here September 16, 1874. The World Ecumenical Methodist Conference meetings in 1911 and the first General Council of the United Church in 1925 met here. The church was badly damaged by fire in 1928 and rebuilt, incorporating most of the original walls, tower, narthex, and much of the stained glass.
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1874.
Location. 43° 39.189′ N, 79° 22.589′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. Marker is on Queen Street East just east of Bond Street, on the left when traveling
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Town Tavern (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Albert Jackson (about 180 meters away); Toronto's Eighth Post Office (about 180 meters away); Confederation Life Building (about 180 meters away); St. James Parking Garage (about 210 meters away); York Mechanics' Institute (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Original Site of Toronto Hebrew Congregation Holy Blossom (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Adelaide Street Court House (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same inscription.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Metropolitan United Church.
The over 200-year history of Metropolitan United Church began in 1818 in York, what is now downtown Toronto. The first building to house the congregation was a small Methodist chapel located on King Street. Membership grew along with the city's population, so in 1831 the church acquired another site on Adelaide Street. In 1833, the Newgate Methodist(Submitted on October 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Episcopal Church, a Georgian-style building accommodating 1,000 people, was opened. In 1868, the church trustees purchased the present-day square-block property at McGill Square (Queen and Church Streets). The congregation voted to construct a new church, renamed the Metropolitan Wesleyan Methodist Church, and dedicated it in 1872.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 20222. Metropolitan United Church Marker(looking north from Queen Street East • church is obscured by trees in the background)
2. Metropolitan United Church.
When the church was first built in 1872, it was designed to accommodate a future carillon. The tower was designed to support the addition of bells and their immense weight (over forty-four thousand pounds), by having seven-foot thick walls at the base which taper as they go up. At the top of the tower is a bell chamber open to the outside through which the carillon music can be heard. The collection of bells at the Metropolitan United Church has been growing since April 2, 1922, when Chester D. Massey dedicated 23 bells in memory of his wife. In 1960, Charles W. Drury and his wife donated twelve smaller bells, and by 1971, the collection was brought to a total of 54 bells. The church also had Canada’s largest pipe organ (Casavant Frères Opus 1367) installed in 1930 following the fire which destroyed the previous organ.(Submitted on October 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
3. Metropolitan United Church Gate Marker
Metropolitan
United Church
is the descendant of a small, frame chapel built in 1818 on the corner of King and Jordan Streets, now the side of the Canadian Bank of Commerce Building. Metropolitan Church was erected in 1870, and the interior was rebuilt in 1929, following a disastrous fire. It now stands, together with the Church House, as a symbol of Christian witness and service in Downtown Toronto.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
4. Metropolitan United Church Gates
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
5. Metropolitan United Church
(south/front elevation)
(south/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
