Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Little Trinity Church

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2004

This 175-year-old (as of 2019) church on the southwest corner of King Street East and Trinity Street has this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque attached to a stone on its grounds. The plaque says:

Coordinates: 43.653283 -79.36205

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Founded in 1842, this is the oldest surviving church in the city of Toronto. Under the patronage of the Right Reverend John Strachan, first Anglican Bishop of Toronto, funds were raised to start construction in 1843. Its first rector was the Rev. W.H. Ripley, and regular services commenced on February 18, 1844. Attended largely by industrial workers, it was known as "The Poor Man's Church", although such prominent citizens as William Gooderham, James Worts, Joseph Shuter, William Cawthra and Alexander Dixon were associated with the church in its early days. Gutted by fire in 1961, it has been restored to its early proportions and is a good example of early Gothic Revival architecture.

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted October 16, 2010
I know that some records were kept at Little Trinity. When I was a teen, attending there,(1967ish) I saw books of baptisms and/or deaths- aobut 1918 ish, I believe. I pondered how so many families lost children during disease outbreaks.
Wendy Smith [email protected]

> Posted July 4, 2010
There are several Genealogical libraries under patronage of Mormon Church (Letter day Saints)where you could possibly request microfilms of Parish Records from all over the world, i.e. probably Toronto as well, at a nominal fee (like $6-10) and research your family even further than that. As to records of Little Trinity Church I would try to inquire at the office of a Bishop of Anglican diocese of Toronto. Even if parish documents were destroyed then maybe there were made duplicate books for diocese or for municipal archives. The Genealogical Society of Toronto would probably be able to supply appropriate information.

> Posted April 8, 2009
I have much the same question. My great grandparents attended the church and were (I understand) baptized there. Are there records for this church with the Anglican diocese? All help is appreciated.
Charles de Gruchy [email protected]

> Posted September 5, 2008
My deceased paremts, Maud Snooks and Charles Edwin Tassie were married in Little Trinity Church in Toronto, Ontario in September, the year 1915. I understand there had been a fire and that the records were destroyed. Is there any way that I can obtain any informtion at all?
Thanking you in advance,
Mrs. Jean Salmon [email protected]

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