Our History
Lansing United Church has a rich history dating back to 1925, some would argue even earlier!
This is a historical narrative of this congregation, from its origins as a small Sunday School to a busy community hub in the heart of Willowdale.
Images and information have been sourced from our archives, as well as the digital archives of the Toronto Public Library.
As many irreplaceable documents were destroyed in 1982, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have more information you think is pertinent to this historical narrative.
A Small Sunday School
The year is 1918. In what we now know as the neighbourhood of Willowdale, a small Sunday school begins operating out of a Mr. John Boddy’s home. When the school grows too large for Boddy’s home, it is moved to what was once the Bar Room of the Golden Lion Hotel.
The Golden Lion Hotel, circa 1920.
The Golden Lion Hotel also played an important role to Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie during the 1837 Rebellion, where he stopped off in order to obtain a horse and flee from the uprising to the United States.
After the Golden Lion was bought by Reverend Thomas Webster Pickett (father to Ketha Pickett, who would later marry Ontario Premier George S. Henry) to be used as his residence, the Bar Room was an adequate but temporary home for the parish.
The Village Church
In 1924, the parish is able to erect a modest church on Sheppard, a half-block West of Yonge, just north of our current building. Thus, the Lansing Methodist Church is born. After a busy period of constructing an addition to the building for the Sunday School and forming a union with Willowdale, the new sign is put up in 1925, reading: Lansing United Church.
Lansing United Church, 1924-1950. Lynette Yu, 1995.
Merton More (1910-2000), a member of Lansing through much of its history, narrates Lansing’s origins in his 4-part journal, “Looking Back & Remembering.” He writes: “That little church, with a garage for a kindergarten served Lansing until after the war. It was heated by a stove with a smoke pipe that ran the full length of the church [...] After the war, people were migrating to the suburbs.”
It is evident: the community is growing, and Lansing United needs to grow with it.
49 Bogert Avenue
Sketches of Lansing United Church by its architects, Hanks and Irwin.
In 1949, a committee forms (including Merton More) to deliberate the construction of the new church. Architects Hanks and Irwin provide sketches, and less than a year later, the land of the current Lansing United Church is purchased for the 2024 equivalent of between $10,000 - $15,000, according to Merton More. The cornerstone is laid in 1950, and the current Lansing United Church at 49 Bogert Avenue opens in 1951.
Merton More discusses the efforts to finance the evolution of Lansing: “money was always a problem. On one financial campaign, I remember making a call at a small house not far from the church and being met at the door by a half undressed man, a real wrestler type, bearing a large carving knife. He was not very receptive to my visit and I didn’t get any money. Rather unnerved I got out in a hurry.”
Lansing United Church 1950-2013. Lynette Yu, 1995.
Though it’s a new building, the church soon becomes overcrowded, and an expansion is necessary. The Christian Education centre is built and connected to the church by a glassed-in breezeway. After this addition in 1955, construction finally settles down, and Lansing nurtures the expanding community in a variety of ways. Activities such as adult education, young people’s groups, scouts, and physical activities are among the community functions of Lansing United.
Women playing badminton in Lansing United Church hall. Jeff Goode, 1977. Toronto Star.
Access here.
Lansing United Church. Lynette Yu, 2000.
1982: A Busy Year
In August of 1982, much of Lansing’s history goes up in smoke: a burglar steals eight brass collection plates and starts a fire in a wastebasket in the minister’s office. This fire destroys the office, the parlour above it, and many irreplaceable records. Reverend Ron Nickle loses all his sermons – 22 years worth of work – and the cost of damages runs at around $200,000. Though this fire destroys records key to Lansing’s history, it is by piecing together subjective accounts, archived material, and newspaper articles that have since been digitized, that we can form a clearer image of how Lansing came to be.
Reverend Ron Nickle mourns losing all of his sermons after the fire. Jim Wilkes, 1982. Toronto Star.
Access here.
1982 happens to be a busy year: in the Fall, the first 2 of 8 stained glass windows are installed. Designed and fabricated by
Denise Therrien, the magnificent depictions of biblical history are installed by the memorial committee in what we now know as “Community Hall 1.” Therrien has also made pieces for Baycrest Center and the Manulife Center.
To understand the narrative woven through these windows, these pieces are meant to be read from right to left. A booklet, "Memorial Windows: Lansing United Church," likely written by the artist Denise Therrien, offers an interpretation of these windows.
The first four (the four on the right) explore the theme "God's Creation," portraying a chaotic movement towards order and structure: "out of the formless whirling gases and waters are shaped the solar system, stars and planets, the first forms of life that developed in the waters of the earth, and finally the richness of vegetation and all the life that it supports."
The latter four windows (the four on the left) explore the "New Creation," portraying subjects such as crucifixion, resurrection, and lastly on the far left, the Pentecost.
However, "there is no static, absolute meaning to these windows. They invite us to look and to be open to whatever they say to us in this moment of our personal journeys."
During Lansing’s redevelopment from 2013-2018, all eight windows are moved into the foyer, highlighting a piece of Lansing’s history amid the modern renovations.
The stained glass windows in their current placement.
An Affirming Congregation
Lansing celebrated becoming an Affirming Congregation in June of 2016, a process that began with a motion made in 2013. Affirming Ministries are a vital part of the United Church of Canada. We publicly declare our commitment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Although Affirming Ministries make an explicit statement about issues of sexuality and gender, their commitment to justice is far broader. They continually grow and change as they seek to live more fully into God’s way of welcome, love, and justice for all creation.
Big Upgrades
In June 2018, Lansing United Church completed its development project to build new facilities and renovate the old sanctuary building. Our new building will act as a community hub and provide much needed multi-purpose meeting space for the Lansing congregation and the Lansing community to hold their activities.
The new and renovated facilities include:
- A more easily accessible building
- New worship, office and meeting space
- A child-care facility for up to 72 children
- A variety of meeting spaces for use by the church and the wider community
- On-site ground level and underground parking for easy access to the facilities
Today, Lansing United Church continues to nurture a diverse and inclusive congregation, fostering a warm and welcoming environment for worship and fellowship. The church actively engages in various community initiatives, extending its reach beyond its walls to positively impact the lives of those residing in North York and near Bogert Avenue, in the heart of Willowdale.
This faith community is very active in social ministry, as demonstrated in its history: providing space for non-profit organizations, sponsoring social outreach programs, and being a place for spiritual encouragement. Whether through its worship services, educational programs, social outreach, or cultural events, Lansing United Church embodies the values of compassion, unity, and service carrying forward its legacy as a pillar of faith and community involvement in Toronto.
We welcome the seeker, the questioner, the doubter, those wanting to rediscover their faith, those who have it all figured out; the old-timer and new-timer, young and old and everyone in between. We invite you to visit us and explore the ways you can become involved in helping others, while having your spiritual yearnings met.
