Our memories

Ethel has an Anglican background but that was not the tradition of her husband. Ethel came [to] the parish of St. George in 1954 after the purchase of a car. The Sunday school was important, but Ethel describes herself as someone who was not involved in groups. That remained true until she retired from Metro Social Services. Ethel is now an active member of the Wednesday Morning Group and finds the parish very welcoming.

Ethel McWatt (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

Bill recalls his early church experience began while dating his wife, Mary. Bill and Mary were married in the parish of St. Jude but later moved to Willowdale and began their life in the Parish of St. George where their children were baptized. Both Mary and Bill became active members of the parish and Bill has wonderful memories of how much Mary enjoyed the fellowship within the groups of the parish. He recalls concerts and in particular a superb violinist whose talents were enjoyed.

Bill’s own ministries within the parish included teaching church school, being a member of the Advisory Board and becoming a Warden of the parish twice.

Bill enjoyed the experience of being a Warden and found that one of his duties was to be a sounding board for the Rector – at the time the Rev. John Thompson. This experience made him realize how complex the work of clergy is. Bill also has served as a sidesperson and continues to be a member of the Property Committee.

[The note taker for these memories must add that for some time Bill’s wonderful artistic talents were and still are very much enjoyed and appreciated by the parish.

There used to be a sign facing Yonge Street on the former church grounds. Bill kept everyone up to date as he prepared inserts for this sign each week, another ministry of this active parishioner.

Bill applauds the Wardens of today and declares he is thankful he does not have their awesome responsibilities but believes they are doing a wonderful job.]

Bill Cawthorne (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

My parents, Joe and Gladys Aspery, attended St. George’s when they moved to Willowdale, enrolling me in Sunday school where I met Peggy Farlie. As time went by she and I joined the Junior choir, and were confirmed by Bishop Derwyn Owen.  

One thing I do recall from the church building was that in the washrooms were children’s toilets, sized appropriately, and coloured as well … my memory seems to recall  that they were green … quite interesting.

During my teen years a group of Anglican Young People’s Association was formed, and attended by many, not necessarily church members. It was decided that we would hold a ‘Cabaret’ to be held in the church basement. My Dad, Joe Aspery, volunteered to direct proceedings.  Musical performances amounted to lip-syncing to records, and those on instruments doing the same. So there was a band, with musicians to accompany singers performing popular songs from the ‘hit parade’. My Dad improvised some skits as well. It was a great deal of fun.

The trombonist in the band looked attractive to me … as it turned out, he was my future husband, Bud Ellis, and we were married on December 1, 1950, a union which lasted for over seventy years. Our three children were baptized at St. George’s. Peggy and I with our husbands were godparents to each other’s sons. (both nicknamed ‘Ted’)

So St. George’s influenced my life greatly, blessing me with my long-time best friend and my dear husband … how good is that!

Pat Aspery Ellis (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

March 19, 2022

To all my friends at St. George on Yonge

I learned from reading The Anglican that my much loved second home, St. George’s Willowdale, was celebrating 100 years. I do not have a computer and must write this on paper. Please excuse my spelling.

My name is Jean Waverley Christina Orr, born to Frances and Gordon Orr in Willowdale, and baptized at St. George’s Church. My brother also was baptized there when he was born a year later. I was born in a tiny house on Horsham Ave. not far from the Rectory and not far from the Lindsey family who were the backbone of the church. Everyone called Mrs. Lindsey “Auntie”. She sang in the church choir.

[…] In a few days I will be 91. When I was born, they said I sang before I learned to talk. God had gifted me with a beautiful soprano voice. First, I became soloist at Sunday school where I helped everyone learn new hymns. The Sunday school had a magic lantern which projected the words of hymns and prayers onto a screen in front of the velvet curtains which covered our stage, and my father was in charge as Superintendent.

Our church had a boy choir and senior choir but nothing for the girls. I was disgusted, but the organist needed a soprano who could carry a descant [… and] he brought me into the Senior choir. I sang my first solo at eleven and from that day forward I became the soprano soloist for sixty-eight years [until] I was forced to move to Cobourg because I could no longer afford the rent when North York became part of Toronto.

I formed the first Girl’s choir at St. George’s. There were thirty girls and they processed in with the choir but sat in the two front rows of the church on both sides. The parents of the girls were delighted and designed and sewed their gowns, black skirts, white surpluses and black velvet beanies.

When I was born, St. George’s church was a small wooden structure facing south. It had windows on both sides painted with a mustard coloured paint. Naughty little boys with pen knives often scratched the paint off. There was a small steeple with one small bell at the south end of the roof, the rope to ring the bell hung over the Rector’s desk in his study. I remember when I was five [and] my father took me to visit the Rector and he stood me on his desk to help ring the bell for the morning service. The Rector at that time was Rev. Muirhead. I called him “Paw Paw”.

When I was a baby and the weather was good, my father used to put me in my pram on a Saturday and take me to the Rectory where I was much loved by the maid and the Rector’s wife. They looked after me while my father and the Rector went to the church to plan the Sunday school hymns and lessons for the next day.

When Norman Ballard and his wife took over, I spent a few nights sleeping at the Rectory when as a teenager I became babysitter for their two little boys.

The church basement had been built before the war and they had to stop [work] there, as all our men were called up. The basement was the centre for all our activities. There was a large stage with a door at the back of it leading to the church. The North York Council asked to use it for meetings as there was no town hall. The Lions club used it for their meetings and of course Scouts, Cubs, Guides, and Brownies also used it.

On either side of the stage there were two small [alcoves] containing bathrooms and cloak rooms. As you faced the stage, the men’s room was on the right and the ladies on the left. The choir gowns were kept there [… Near the ladies room, steps led to] the kitchen and just inside the kitchen a door on the right led to our furnace room.

The kitchen was used a lot by different organizations using the hall, but especially for the annual St. George’s Day dinner.

We had a very active A.Y.P.A. We put on a lot of concerts and plays on our much used stage. We had a church bazaar every year to make money for the church, then we were asked for money to buy mattresses for the Out of the cold program. I crocheted a double bed sized afghan and we sold tickets for a draw. I forget how much money we made but it was won by the husband of a lady in our choir.

I hated leaving St. George’s but have joined St. Peter’s here in Cobourg. They wanted me in the choir, and I lasted for a few weeks when, because of my allergies, they found me collapsed just inside the door to the hallway. The night air from the Lake had affected my lungs. They drove me home where I had medication, and I gave up the choir.

Since then, I have had two bad falls due to allergies and I now use a walker.

When I was a teenager, I had a friend Martha. She had several brothers and the youngest, Albert, became my boyfriend. One day his mother invited me to dinner, and she had another guest, an uncle who had moved from Montreal to Toronto. She told him that I was the soloist at my church, and he asked to hear me sing. I sat at their piano and looked through the hymn book sitting there and chose, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. When I finished, the uncle asked me what church I went to and where it was located. I told him and thanked him for his interest. A couple of years later, during a sermon, the Rector told the congregation that a great amount of money had been left to the church and we would be able to build the Parish Hall on top of the basement. The only condition was that the name of the donor be kept secret.

One day as Albert and I drove by on Yonge St., they were building our Parish Hall and I told Albert to look. He very angrily said, “No”. I asked, “Why?” He said because his stupid uncle had left all his money to my church instead of the family, because he heard me sing!

God Bless Everyone,

Jean W.C. Orr (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

Many of Jack’s memories mirror his wife Shirley’s but Jack has been active as a Sidesperson, has worked with the Property Committee who also catered for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers. Jack also remembers the involvement of the men who often were called upon to help the women of the St. Margaret’s group with their catering events.

He also recalls the business lunchtime study groups held by the Anglican Church downtown.

Jack Hulbert (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

In 1972, when my late husband, Nigel, was Rector’s warden for Canon John Thompson, he was asked to host a dinner party for Bishop Hunt. We had three small children at that time so they were looked after at my parents’ house. We had never entertained anyone that important and I was a nervous wreck. Canon Thompson brought a gift for our family consisting of four large Christmas elves and three smaller ones. They have brought us a lot of pleasure over the last fifty years as we use them every Christmas for decorating. We usually hang them on our lamp shades. A few years ago, Kathy made two of them doing the flying trapeze. This year she made one into a scuba diver. Christmas would not be the same without our elves and the memory of Father John Thompson.

Anne Baillie (Parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

Shirley and her husband Jack and two children moved to Willowdale in 1952. For two years this young family travelled back to their parish of Grace Church on-the-Hill where two of their children were baptized. The family chose to make the Parish of St. George their church home in 1954. They quickly settled into the parish where two of their four children were baptized. Shirley soon found herself involved in the St. Catherine’s group which was begun by the wife of the Rector of the time – the Rev. John Thompson.

Shirley was eventually an active member of the St. Margaret’s group which became the catering group of the parish. She remembers turkey dinners for 200, wedding receptions, seniors’ teas, bazaars and though it was a lot of work there are only fond memories of the fellowship and good fun.

The parish of St. George for both Shirley and Jack feels like their extended family. They have always felt supported by this parish.

Shirley continues to be an active member of our very important Greeting Ministry and the Wednesday Group.

Shirley Hulbert (Parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

[T]he church telephone number, yes it does reflect 1922 the year the first church was dedicated … [T]he church had a second phone number ending in 1956, the year of dedication of the recently demolished building. The 1956 number was not actively known because the Bell phone service would automatically roll over a call from 1922 to 1956 if the 1922 line was busy.

Ward Lindsey (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

I always remember the church walks from up here in the north and ending at St. James Cathedral. I believe it was the Anglican Church who organized it as the checkpoints, where your card/sheet was stamped, were all Anglican churches. One gave the lunch, usually soup and sandwich, and the others had drinks and snacks. We met a lot of friendly people and saw different areas of Toronto as it meandered through the city (not easy going just down Yonge Street!).  St. George’s organized rides back for their walkers. Upon arrival at St. Jame’s you received your final stamp, water and snacks. St. John’s were there providing first aid (mostly blisters). One year I got to soak my feet and have a slight foot massage which was a treat. I believe we had pledges but I can’t remember what the money went towards. It was a great day-out enjoyed by all.

Robin Clennett (Parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

I have been a “cradle Anglican” since 1930. I recall attending church with my Mother in the portable church at the back of the property.  Rev. Claude Secrett was the rector and I remember a very special Sunday School service directed by him. The building of the new church began in the 1930s.

The basement was completed when the war broke out and all construction was halted so a ceiling was put in the basement so we could hold services there. It was a large space where so many activities took place e.g.:  brownies, guides, scouts, AYPA, bazaars, concerts etc. 

The picture in this week’s bulletin reminded me of the sanctuary where I sat in the junior choir. Many children attended Sunday School at 3 pm. every week. Molly Secrett was one of my teachers. She was very lovely. She had a brother—Victor. Rev. Secrett joined the army during the war so we had a replacement—Canon MacTeer. He taught us confirmation classes.  His classes were very long—as I recall. 

We had good times in the basement church.  Our Sunday School picnics were always held at Centre Island. Some of us had to go by trolley and streetcar. We had games, swam in cold Lake Ontario and had lots to eat. I can’t remember how the food got there. 

I met my best friend, Pat Aspery, at Sunday School. Pat married a local boy, Charles (Bud) Ellis on December 1, 1950. Their wedding was the last one in the basement church. Pat and I are both widows now living in Sr. Residences. Pat is in Barrie and I am in Gravenhurst. I entered nursing school so was away for a while but my family was still in Willowdale on Ellerslie Ave. I met my future husband, Ted, around this time and together we attended St. Paul’s Church Toronto on Sunday evenings. 

We ended up back at St. George’s when Canon John Thompson was the rector. He baptized and confirmed Ted the year before he married us in the new church on April 24, 1954.  Peter Bradshaw was the organist. We bought a house in Agincourt but stayed with St. George’s Church for a few more years. Our first two children were baptized there by Canon Thompson. He was an amazing man. I feel so honoured to be around for St. George’s 10^th anniversary. Our retirement years were spent at our cottage in Bala where Ted was a Diocesan Lay Reader.  Our church, Trinity All Saints, is also celebrating its’ 100^th this year—quite a historic year for me. I am looking forward to meeting you on April 23rd—the day before the 68^th anniversary of my wedding day at St. George’s Willowdale.

Best Wishes and Blessings to all at St. George’s

Peggy Husband (nee Farlie) (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

Margaret and her husband Arnold moved to Willowdale in 1954. Prior to marriage Margaret had been raised in the Anglican tradition but Arnold came from the Methodist church background. Margaret was always involved in the life of the Anglican Church and has fond memories of her background life in the church. Margaret’s mother who was confirmed along with Arnold at the church of the Messiah before Margaret and Arnold were married.

They continued to attend church at the Messiah after moving to Willowdale. Margaret came with a friend to her first service at the parish of St. George on Ash Wednesday in 1956. Soon after Arnold and the family joined Margaret and their life in this parish began.

Margaret remembers that the Rev. John Thompson found out that Arnold was in the appliance business and could fix appliances and so Arnold was often called upon to fix the latest problem appliance at the Rectory.

For some reason John Thompson always called Arnold “Bill”.

Margaret remembers Betty Clennett’s outstretched arms greeting her as she brought her three week old son Stephen in 1962 to the Nursery for the first time.

Betty also had Margaret and Arnold’s son Robert – then 2-1/2 – in the toddler area of the Nursery. The Handley’s had five children [and] their three younger children were baptized at St. George’s.

Margaret was involved in St. Cecilia’s Group that later became St. Margaret’s. She well recalls all the catering, but also the fun and fellowship that was part of these groups.

Arnold has been a sidesperson and member of the Property Committee.

Arnold has always been working at the pancake suppers and helped everyone involved have a good time while they flipped those pancakes.

Both Arnold and Margaret regularly attend the Wednesday Group and Margaret is actively involved in our important Greeting Ministry.

Margaret has one memory of her son being asked to get roasts of beef out of their freezer which were to be prepared for a Cub/Scout dinner. The roast slipped out of their son’s hands and fell to the floor breaking three toes.

She recalls the boys in Cubs/Scouts and the girls in Guides at St. George’s but when their one son turned 12 his Venture Group was moved to Edithvale Community Centre.

The family have very fond memories of this parish and Margaret says they have always felt very much at home at St. George’s.

Margaret Handley (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

[My] mother was the caretaker of the first St. George, Willowdale, a wooden church that was replaced in the 1920s. As a young girl, me and my family took a horse and buggy down Yonge Street to go to church. As an adult, I was an active member of the ACW and sang in the church choir there and later, at St. Patrick, Willowdale.

Enid Glover (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

Ann, along with her husband Arthur and family came to the parish of St. George in 1976 from a small parish church in England. She was amazed at the size of the parish and found this very different from the parish in England.

Ann had not always been an Anglican and was introduced to church and the Anglican tradition after meeting her future husband Arthur. Arthur while with the military was stationed in Hong Kong and became actively involved in the Anglican Cathedral there. Arthur invited Ann and her sister to attend a service with him and this was the sisters’ first church experience.

Arthur invited these sisters twice more but the third time it was only Ann who agreed to go. Ann had attended a missionary school when she was 10 years old where she heard about Jesus.

Ann and Arthur were married in this same Cathedral Church and moved to England before coming to Canada.

Ann and Arthur were welcomed into the parish and Ann was invited to become part of the St. Catherine’s group. She recalls being asked to make carrot jelly but had never done this before and found it very hard to do!

The children were involved in Sunday school and one of them sang in the Choir.

Arthur was always involved in the liturgy of the church and became the right hand of the clergy, as a lay reader, Director of the Servers, and even helped with the altar guild from time to time. Arthur came to the Property Committee meetings and always brought a joke to share with the group. Arthur is very much missed in the parish.

Ann has strong memories of all the catering she has taken part in with parish functions and has enjoyed the fellowship and fun associated with all these events.

Ann has taken her role as a Greeter very seriously and this is one of the ministries she shares. Ann has been a valuable part of the pastoral team at the parish of St. George and keeps in touch with many of our senior members by telephone.

She has many memories but one that stands out for her is the St. George’s Night that was held every year.

She also remembers that being part of the St. Catherine’s group involved serving but they were reminded that they serve but someday this will be done for them.

Ann Beecham (Parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

Having sold our house we had bought a Unit in a brand new condominium on Yonge and McKee. So in April 2004, the condo was ready for occupation.  We moved in on a Thursday and on Saturday we were wondering where the closest Anglican Church would be located. So we decided to go for a walk and look around.

Voila … is that a church right across the street?  Let’s explore … yes, it says “St. George’s Anglican Church”!!

We walked in and were met by a wonderful person who welcomed us and assured us that it is an Anglican Church with two services on Sundays at 8.00 am and 10.30 am. 

His name, “Arthur Beecham”!! 

Rest is history.

Roshni Sircar (Parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

[We used to do work for] The North York Kinsmen … to stuff (letter, seals return envelope) and mail their appeal. We held work parties in the memorial hall with our friends and families. It was an evening of fellowship and doing service work. The guild provided refreshment for the volunteers. [It was] a worthwhile cause (we typed receipts when donation[s] were received).

Margaret Cole (Parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

Muriel describes herself as being very shy but being shy does not mean you are left behind at the parish of St. George! Muriel arrived in the parish in 1958 along with her family. Muriel attends the 8:00 am service and both Muriel and her sister Doreen were involved in parish life.

Muriel liked to sing and was invited several times to join the choir but declined because her husband would be left to sit alone in the congregation.

Muriel’s son was in the boy’s choir.

Doreen used to help with the senior members’ teas and was famous for her candied strawberries. She also made take home favours for the seniors that were enjoyed by all.

Muriel has memories of when her sister Doreen died and the funeral was held in the church. Prior to the service the sun streamed in through one of the windows and several people noticed the face of Jesus through the sun on Doreen’s face. This memory will always be with Muriel.

Muriel is an active member of the Wednesday Group and Muriel are thankful to Ann B. for inviting her to come.

Muriel Skinner (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

My name is Mandy Hillyard (Ellis). I grew up in Willowdale. I was brought to St. George’s to be baptised as an infant and came to church with my parents (who met in the St. George’s Youth Group) and older brothers until we moved out of province when I was 4 years old. We returned when I was 6 and I attended St. George’s Sunday School and Junior Choir from 1963 to 1970. 

There are a few things that stand out in my memory of the church.

I can picture the turquoise wall at the front of the sanctuary at that time. And I was always a bit startled going into the choir change room and seeing the women in their slips and girdles and putting on their choir robes. Of course there was no air conditioning and the polyester gowns, which were blue, would have been like little ovens so I understand now. 

I’ll never forget a very stern sidesman coming down to the Sunday School and lecturing us on how to hold the offertory plate. He asked us to pass it around and then was shocked and said, “Would you put your thumb in someone’s soup bowl as you pass it to them?” We of course responded no and he firmly said “then why do you put your thumb in the offertory plate?” I am 65 years old and to this day, have never put my thumb over the edge of the plate as I passed the offertory. I would say, he made quite an impression!

My Aunt Peggy (Husband) who isn’t my real Aunt will be attending the 100th anniversary with her daughter Mary Asbil and I am always so amazed at the connection the Husband family has with my family. Peggy and my Mom Pat (Aspery) Ellis met when they were aged 8 and 7 years old in Sunday School at St. George’s which is 83 years ago. They continue to be friends emailing and chatting on the phone. And our families are connected as a result of this with so many years of wonderful memories and all the ups and downs. Peggy’s kids are my “frousins” (friend cousins) and Peggy is really my ‘Fraunt’ and her husband was my “Fruncle Ted.” In those days Willowdale was like a small town and I reaped the benefits of this. I have lived in Barrie for 37 years. I am a lifelong Christian and I got my start at St. George’s Anglican Church. 

May God bless your church family, this celebration of 100 years and the ministry in the days, weeks, months and years to come.

Mandy Hillyard (Ellis) (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

Betty’s religious life began in Western Canada. She married Bill in 1947 and they began their married life in Toronto. In 1949, they moved to Willowdale and came for the first time to the Parish of St. George. At this point the parish was worshipping in what would become the basement of the church.

Betty has many happy memories of her family’s involvement in the life of the parish. She remembers the children receiving birthday cards from the Mothers’ Union.

Betty found her niche as head of the Nursery. She remembers 8 babies every week plus toddlers. The Nursery was a very busy place!

Her husband Bill got involved in Scouting at St. George’s and later taught in the Sunday school. He was affectionately called Uncle Bill. Betty recalls the children of the church school started calling Bill this. Bill always wore a red vest at Christmas time. Bill was a member of the Property Committee following his retirement.

Both Betty and Bill helped with those pancake suppers.

Their family of four children were all involved in parish life and Betty has memories of Kids’ dances, J.A. and that the AYPA was a going concern.

Betty was also involved in the women’s groups including the St. Catherine’s and Dorcas Groups and the Mother’s Union. Many times she also helped get ready for Bazaars.

Bill and Betty were very active and Bill is missed now that he is gone.

Since Bill’s death, Betty’s role in the parish now includes the important greeting ministry and she is a member of the Wednesday Group and still finds time to help work on the memory quilt being prepared for our new church Heritage Room.

Betty Clennett (Parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

Colin originally came to Canada from England in 1952 with his family. The Parish of St. George soon became an important part of life. Colin remembers that his mother’s whole life revolved around this parish, active with Mother’s Union and all aspects of parish life. Colin remembers being part the AYPA. Colin was away from Toronto and the parish for many years.

Colin looked after his mother for the last five years of her life and is thankful for her and that time together. During this time Colin credits his mother for bringing him back to God.

Colin returned to the parish of St. George in the spring of 2008 regularly attending worship and an active member of the Wednesday Group.

Colin Dobson (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

Though Ruth’s background was Anglican, her husband came from the Presbyterian tradition and so as a couple and later with children the family attended the Presbyterian Church. However, 23 years ago, Ruth made the decision to return to her own roots in the Anglican Church and came to the Parish of St. George for the first time. She remembers the very warm welcome she received and though planning to quietly take her place in worship only, very quickly found herself part of the Dorcas Group and being asked to knit a dark brown scarf.

This was just the beginning for Ruth, who became a member of the Advisory Board and now currently serves as a member of Parish Council.

She recalls the wonderful social gatherings including an Italian and Western night. These events were a lot of work but also a great deal of fun.

Ruth is also a vital member of the altar guild washing and ironing all the altar linens. Ruth still wonders who told John Wilton that she was so good at ironing!

Ruth also ministers as a Greeter for our parish and extends the same warm welcome each time she functions in this capacity as she received when she first arrived.

Ruth is an active member of the Wednesday Group and during our transition period continues to do the altar linens used by Steve [Shaw] and Janet [Kirk] for the services they conduct in Seniors’ facilities and home communions.

Ruth Ross (Late parishioner)
From What The Parish of St. George Has Meant to Me!

One of my fondest memories … was the St. George Young People (St. GYP) group. This group of young people became and still are some of my best friends to this day. Members … would be involved in the choirs (both junior and senior), some of us were servers or helped with the Altar Guild, some of us taught Sunday School classes as we got older, some of us were involved in the Girl Guides/Ranger and Scout programs, and some of us were involved on the church’s social and advisory boards. We met as a whole group every Sunday evening but a lot of us saw each other during the week at different functions although we attended several different schools in the area. We supported each other in many ways.

Laura Pummell (Former parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories

I have been at this address since July 1949. Bill and I came from the west in June 1947. He came down to Avro as a stress analyst.

I was brought up in the Turner Valley Oilfields and lived in Black Diamond, where we were part of a 5-point parish centred in Okotuks. Our services were taken in the homes and big events we walked 1-2/2-2 miles out of town to the High School where we were joined with parishioners from Turner Valley. Our Sunday School lessons came “by post” from Toronto.

This building means a lot to me. We have seen it grow from the basement. I believe there were some 450 families attending at one time, hence the building and rebuilding. I believe Rev. Secrett came up this very muddy, clay road to visit us soon after we arrived.

The basement had a Sunday School at one end and a nursery at the other. There were 7 cribs, always full plus 10 or more toddlers. The carved out wooden fence with animals on it separated the two, but I had two teenagers who helped and we all enjoyed being there to be of service. Naturally, someone served before me and long afterward. I would like to see that fence in wood – if a talented and loving parishioner before us in the new wall in the new church.

At one point Bill assisted Wilman Trumbly as assistant in St. George’s cubs, around 1950–1951. He served as Scouts Commissioner to 5^th Willowdale (East Willowdale) for a very long time. There is a Scouting plaque over the main door of the church which should be recognized in the new building. A good number of parishioners gave their time to work with Cubs and Scouts in St. George’s. The same can be said for Guiding.

The War Memorial is a must – we were vets too.

Our two girls were in the Jr Auxiliary (J.A.) but I can’t remember who the leader was.

Our two girls were christened where the kitchen is now in Claude Secrett Hall 1951 and 1954.

Geoff was christened in 1957 in the last addition.

This building allowed our Bazaar to spread to the basement and it was packed. Tea was served upstairs. Later it was reversed – crafts upstairs and candy and baking and tea-time downstairs, “Oh! Those stairs!”.

Different church groups invited Church Army over the years. Food collected at Thanksgiving was given to them for the needy.

Groups

• Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.)
• Dorcas: sewed and knitted for bales to be sent to Northern Canada; and articles were also sent to Downtown Church workers to be given to needy folk. Quilting was always part of Dorcas.
• St. Margaret’s “original group”: helped support Sick Children’s Hospital. St. Margaret’s did a lot of catering.
• St. Monica’s: young moms’ prayer group
• St. Catherine’s: outgrowth of earlier chapter of Mothers’ Union
• St. Andrew’s: Mission to Seamen in the city
• Mary-Martha Prayer Fellowship: very serious about praying for the sick

Every group had a charitable connection and prayers.

There has always been an adult choir and once we had a children’s choir.

Christmas pageants were done by adults, and later by the children.

There were youth groups (high school) who were involved in walks with other Anglican churches: Diocesan activities, dances, and summer camping.

There were picnics at Boyd conservation area and Goodwood Park.

There was group bowling and badminton too.

We always had an affiliation with the Legion: parades. etc.

The Men’s group mended anything broken or needed replacing. Did the pancake supper for years.

Server Guild – always need volunteers …

Altar Guild – always need volunteers …

Sunday school – has never faltered, thanks to [the dedication of the] teachers.

Betty Clennett (Parishioner)

One way or another, all this affected our family for the past 59 years.

My first memory of St. George’s was on a warm Sunday in August. We were newly arrived in Canada and were settling into a rental apartment at Yonge and Drewry. Dad and I took a walk down Yonge Street and ended up at the church. I can’t really say what compelled Dad to walk in that direction, only that when we walked to my grandparents’ house just north of Steeles and Yonge we hadn’t come across a place of worship.

That day we were greeted by the Clennetts, who soon became close family friends. To my ten-year old self, Uncle Bill was the tallest man I had ever seen, jovial and cordial at the same time, bowing and taking off his straw hat. He was dressed in a bright red vest, a signature outfit I would come to know. He and his missus, Aunt Betty, seemingly stepped out of a Norman Rockwell illustration, and gave us the 10-cent tour.

So that’s how it started. Dad became a server and lay reader, my sister joined the choir. Mum was recruited to join Betty in the St. Catharine’s group (with Agnes, Alice, Charlotte, Chris, Evelyn, May, and Ruth), and was indoctrinated into the ritual of fudge making and other wonderful mysteries.

That first Christmas, the Rev. Shafik Farah took my hand and led me around the church. He pointed to the figures of the wise men and their camels who were at the far end of the church on their journey to Bethlehem and the crèche at the front of the church. He said, “Like you, they travelled far to find Jesus. They still have many miles to go. Your journey is over. Let us go and see the Christ Child.” And we did.

My life until that point was well-travelled. We moved regularly when Dad was in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Wherever we moved, Dad always found an Anglican church and offered up his services. After leaving the RAF to join my Mum’s family in Canada, we put down roots in Willowdale and St. George’s became a constant in our lives. 

Elizabeth Beecham (Parishioner)
100th Anniversary memories