Our History

THE BEGINNING

St. Clair Avenue Baptist Church has its beginning early in 1808 when some members of Olivet Baptist Church and their minister, Rev, John McIntosh, held prayer meetings in the home of Mr. And Mrs. Albert Scholfield on Wychwood Avenue. The meetings led to the formation of a Sunday school on July 12, 1908 and on November 11, 1908 a meeting was held by those interested to form a Baptist Church. This led to an organizing meeting and Mr. George S. Brodle was called as pastor. Deacons were chosen and clerk and treasurer appointed. Financial aid from Home Mission Board was requested. A lot at the northeast corner of St. Clair and Wychwood was secured and a temporary building erected on a lot to north.

On September 23, 1909 Recognition meeting was held in the frame church on the back lot. A brick church was to be built on the corner lot. On vote of the delegates, Wychwood Baptist Church was fellowshipped. Dr. W.E. Horton gave the charge to the church. The first recorded Sunday school consisted of forty scholars and eight devoted teachers who met in a workshop at the rear of 12 Kenwood Avenue, later the pastor's home. The Sunday school superintendent was Mr. Hopecraft.

An ordination service was held, on June 30, 1910, for pastor George S. Brodie. Dr. Sowerby was moderator. The council proceeded to ordination. Dr. Brown preached the sermon and Rev. John McIntosh gave the charge to the candidate.

1910 - CHURCH PLANNED

Plans for the church, were drawn by Mr. Burke, and were approved by the church. The church was given right-of -way to collect $4,000 from sister congregation in the Toronto district. In 1910 other churches raised $2,000. The setting of the corner stone took place on September 9, 1912 and the opening service was held on February 4, 1913. The Rev. W. A. Cameron was in the pulpit for the morning service and Chancellor A.L McCrimmon of McMaster University at the evening service. A call was extended to Rev. James A. Grant, July 2, 1913. On September 1, 1913, he began his ministry in the church and served for seven years.

1919 - CHURCH NAME CHANGE

After ten years of existence, the church became self-supporting. In April 1919 the name of the church was changed from Wychwood Baptist to St. Clair Avenue Baptist Church. A parsonage had already been purchased at 12 Kenwood Avenue, which had been associated with the church's earliest history. The Anniversary preacher on May 10, 1920 was Rev. J. L. Campbell of New York, a memorable event in the history of the church.

NOVEMBER 1924 -LAYINGTHE CORNERSTONE

When it was reported that the lot on the northeast corner of Wychwood and St Clair and the lot immediately north was for sale, the church responded and a purchase was made. At this time a building committee was formed to obtain suitable plans for the future building. It was decided to proceed with the Sunday school building first, with the main church building to fellow later. The ceremony of laying the cornerstone took place November 15, 1924. The church company moved across the street to the new lot carrying the box and it's contents. Mr. S. J. Moore laid the stone. The opening and dedication services were held Sunday, May 10, 1925. Rev. Bowley Breen of London, Ontario preached both morning and evening services and a week of ceremony followed.

ST. CLAIR THE CHURCH THAT OVERCOMES

In 1939 the front lot, the northeast corner of Wychwood and St.Clair, was sold to reduce an existing mortgage and the dream of a large church was given up. Although the dream of a large physical structure was lost, the spiritual church grew. In 1947 there was a peak in baptism, 21 in all. The church enjoyed a membership of 484. To the delight of all, the mortgage was burned. In 1953 many of Toronto's central churches began to face difficult times because of great exodus to the suburbs. In 1957 the true-recorded membership fell to 269. This was mostly attributed to the fact that there were names that remained on the rolls even though their owners no longer attend and in some cases the individual could not be located. However, it was an indication of Rev. Crossman's sincere and successful leadership that attendance was as good as ever and St.Clair moved forward to greater service for the Master led by many wonderful pastors. Continue