This is a special 1st anniversary edition of Thursday Doors hosted by Norm Frampton at Norm 2.0.
Norm and I are posting a 2-part series on the Church of The Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto. Part 1 is Norm’s post on the outside of the church and it can be found *here*.
This is Part 2 featuring the inside of Holy Trinity.
Holy Trinity is located behind Old City Hall, and much like Old City Hall, the church was saved from demolition by the petitions from its parishioners. Now the downtown buildings surrounding Holy Trinity have virtually buried it from sight.
The church has tailored itself to support the homeless and those in need. That includes an active outreach program for the LGBQT community.
It is quite an unusual little church, unlike any I’ve ever visited before. On one hand, it is dark and somber-looking with the gravitas expected from a place of worship.
I find churches a little intimidating so I guess it’s to be expected that I could feel the weight of its age and history.
On the flip side however, it felt more like a community drop-in centre than a church.
Instead of pews, there were tables and chairs in the main body of the church with many people milling around having various conversations. I felt a little self-conscious taking photos and tried to respect their privacy.
I looked and felt rather out of place.
Without exception though, every individual who met my eyes did so with a smile and a hello.
It seems everyone is welcome at the Church of The Holy Trinity – including a curious blogger.
My Life Lived Full 
How fun, sharing a post! Glad to see the church was saved though I’d bet those condo folks would still like to see it gone. Communities struggle to gain acceptance of churches doing what churches are supposed to do…help those in need.
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Your comment about the condo developers is probably an accurate one. All the condo development that’s been going on is really troubling. This is not architecture at its best 😦
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I so agree…that was the most disheartening thing about seeing the Florida coastline…I’d never seen such a thing. But, admittedly, the view from them is amazing!
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Wow, great interior photos. Together with Norm’s photos we get a 3D view and history of this great church.
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Thanks! I was afraid my interior shots didn’t live up to Norm’s great views of the exterior 🙂
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The Gothic style of many of the churches in Holland attracted me to art history, as well as my love for stained glass. Superb! The door is beautiful as well!
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I’m not sure that I understand exactly what Gothic style is, but I do like this lovely little church.
I find the more I participate in Thursday Doors, the more interested I become in architecture 🙂
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It’s simpler than you think to recognize. The rounded arch is the Roman period, and after that came the Gothic period which is the bulk of the Middle Ages, approx.12-1500 where the top of an arch is not round, but is pointed upward. That made place for the Renaissance (rebirth of the Greek and Romans) where you see the horizontal lines below roofs and above windows and triangular lines in fronts of buildings. Those are the basic shapes, but there are all kinds of variants presently called neo-Roman, neo-Gothic, etc. Hope you can do something with this:)
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Oh cool. That’s the clearest description I’ve heard yet. Thanks 🙂
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What a wonderful way to “re-purpose” a church! Thank you for sharing pictures of such a special sanctuary for the community.
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Very interesting church, and as someone has already commented, Christianity as it was intended..
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Beautiful shots! And great to hear that the church is responding to real needs — Christianity as it’s intended I think.
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I agree Su. Sometimes I’m encouraged 🙂
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Joanne I love the fact that the church is re-branding itslef. Throwing open those old doors and reaching out to all. I think it is fabulous that you are spreading the word of the great work they are doing. Not just a building but a community builder. Fabulous!
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I think it’s fabulous too and I wonder how many other of these little treasures are out there.
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That building is as amazing on the inside as it is on the outside. Fabulous.
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I think like many people, I don’t automatically think about exploring a building inside as much as the outside.
I’ve learned a lesson with this one … there’s often a story inside and this one is pretty cool 🙂
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It’s a dream of a place. I could soak up the atmosphere there for hours.
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Sounds like a wonderful church! I can imagine taking pictures would feel a little odd! I’ve gotten some strange looks while out doorsing!
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I certainly felt awkward, but it wasn’t because of anything anyone said or did. I just felt like I was intruding and I kept waiting for someone to ask me to leave.
… but it never came 🙂
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The next time I’m there I will make a point of going in to check it out for myself. I’m sure glad you did, so that I could see what I missed – great shots. The stained glass and the open door with the bookcase on the right are my faves.
Thanks for playing along with my crazy idea Joanne 🙂
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I’m thrilled you asked me to do this with you 🙂
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First of all, let me commend you on your dedication to getting the photos 🙂 I appreciate that. It is sometimes odd, photographing the spaces of others. You’ve done a wonderful job here. I love the stained glass in a kind of take-my-breath-away way — outstanding architectural framework does not hurt one bit! Love the library doors, too!
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That little library was such an unexpected sight in a church … but then again, it fit with this community-centre vibe I was getting.
I was actually feeling a little shy about being all touristy in there with so many people around. I would have loved to have explored more – especially those wonderful stained glass windows!
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A good case of working together to create such an interesting result. Well done. 🙂
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Thank you. It was a lot fun coordinating this. I’m not aware of whether anyone has tried to do this before 🙂
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So fun that Norm captured the outside & you the inside! Good teamwork!
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It was fun trying to coordinate this post 🙂
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What a beautiful church. So much care put into it. I was even looking at the ceiling in one of your pictures with its curved beams and paintings (?). The mission is as beautiful as the space. 🙂
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I agree! The huge cathedrals are majestic and awe-inspiring, but these old little churches have so much charm and simple beauty.
It’s nice to know that these places exist for those who may have no where else to turn.
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Well, nice that you felt welcome despite the whole intimidation factor. You got some nice arched doors there…a recurring theme for sure.
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It must be my Catholic schooling and upbringing. Whenever I enter a church I half-expect to get yelled at or reprimanded for some infraction
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Well, as a Jewish girl…and not a very religious one at that…I half expect to spontaneously combust!
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HAHAHAHA! We would make a good pair!!
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I really liked the milling around tables in Holy Trinity. To me, this reflects the true meaning of “communion” in outreach to members of the community! Lovely stained glass windows in this place of worship, Joanne.
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The stained glass windows were very beautiful and if I remember correctly, each one was different.
Whenever I visit a church, it’s normally very quiet and if anyone is talking, it’s done in whisper. This was very different – people were having real conversations with all the noise that comes with it. I liked it. It felt like a true meeting place.
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I am glad to hear this, Joanne. Churches should be meeting places! 🙂
I like that our library has quiet rooms and more open (not loud) places to talk or reccommend books to read or for kids to read out loud. Our church has two free meals a month and AA, Al-Anon and Scout meetings weekly or monthly; depending on who is congregating!
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I like the idea of churches being community meeting places. In my opinion, that’s the way it should be 🙂
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Great tag-team post! The stained glass windows and rich wood are just gorgeous!
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Doing this coordinated post was a lot of fun. It worked out very nicely 🙂
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It would have been sinful to demolish such a magnificent piece of history. Wonderful it is helping those in need as it takes on a second life. Gorgeous pictures, Joanne. Thanks for the peek inside.
We have a smaller church in my neighborhood whose second life is as a restaurant. Visited once but didn’t like the ambiance. 🙂
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A restaurant in a converted church has so much potential! What a shame you didn’t like the ambiance. What didn’t you like?
So often on our hikes we encountered little churches or schools that have been converted into a home. They are so charming … I’ve often wished I could take a peek inside.
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I did see one church which had been converted to a house, but can’t recall when or where. I guess it felt too ‘church-y’ especially when one could sit in the choir loft and look down. Might just be me. 😦
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Beautiful building. I’m glad it was spared.
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Me too. Too many developers are overly eager to tear buildings down. I’m glad they were reined in this time.
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“The church has tailored itself to support the homeless and those in need. That includes an active outreach program for the LGBQT community.”
I absolutely love this with all my heart. I love a church that reaches out to the community and those in need. That’s the way it should be. Happy anniversary to Norm’s Thursday Doors and thanks for the two-parter. The church is beautiful, inside and out.
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I had not researched this church until after I had been there. Quite frankly, I stumbled across the church by accident on a snowy day downtown.
When I walked in and saw the Pride flag at the back of the church, I literally got goosebumps. This little church is clearly walking-the-talk ❤
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Love the idea of the dual post. Great idea. The inside looks quite bright considering that the church is surrounded by modern buildings. Cute doors too.
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The church has beautiful stained glass windows all around the building. The inside was actually quite bright because of it … even though it was a very gray and snowy day.
This dual post was a lot of fun to put together 🙂
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A beautiful historic church that opens its doors to all is a wonderful thing. 🙂
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I agree completely!
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Although our little church looks nothing at all like this, it’s welcoming and we love having visitors. I find it interesting that there are no pews. Do people sit at tables for the services? That’s very different. It sounds as though the people of this church are carrying out God’s work, which is what really makes a church a church. Thanks for the peek inside, Joanne.
janet
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I was curious about the services too.
It was a cold mid-week day in winter when I visited this church so I will have to revisit to experience a Sunday service.
I agree that this little church is really behaving the way one would hope a church would – especially in the inner city core where the need is high 🙂
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Just got back from Norm’s post. What a great story about this church. Just what they should be about.
I love that last photo with the dark wooden doors and books. Looks like something out of Harry Potter. 🙂
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It was such a fun idea to coodinate a post together. I’m flattered he asked 🙂
… and you’re so right, churches should be re-purposing themselves to be more community oriented.
I too loved that little hallway. The book shelves combined with the old battered arched door did not say ‘church’ to me at all!!
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Whenever I’m in Toronto I slip quickly through the Eaton Centre, escape out the side entrance to the courtyard and visit the Church of the Holy Trinity. It is a place that inspires and gives us hope; a church that reaches out to those in need. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photographs.
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I rarely go to the Eaton Centre anymore, but I will be making a point to revisit Trinity Church. It really did feel like a special little place.
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A very special place and I think you captured it perfectly. It does seem to welcome whoever walks through its doors.
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Funny, I can’t say I’ve ever had the same welcoming reaction entering another church. This one, on the other hand, really behaves in a community oriented manner.
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Everyone should be welcome, I am glad to see that they are. So glad you guys teamed up. Almost every time I see a door, I think “I wonder what’s behind that…” This is a special treat!
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Thanks Dan. This really was a happy convergence. It turns out I hadn’t taken photos outdoors, and Norm hadn’t gone inside. It worked 🙂
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Very nice two part collaboration! 🙂
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Thanks Terry 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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