At 188 Carlton Street, on the corner of Bleecker Street, sits St. Peter’s Anglican Church, now known as Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services.
The English Gothic Revival-style building was constructed between 1865 and 1866, with additions and modifications over the years.
In the late 1800s St. Peter’s was a refuge for the Underground Railroad. It was a meeting place of diversity consisting of farmers, city dwellers, the needy and the wealthy. From the Church, coal and potatoes were given out during the depression.
The Church’s foundation stone was laid in 1865, and it opened in 1866, designed by architects Gundry & Langley. The building received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 1973 and the Ontario Heritage Trust in 1993.
In 2016, the Church’s congregation merged with St. Simon’s Anglican at 525 Bloor Street East. St. Peter’s was then deconsecrated, and Dixon Hall moved into the building where it continues to provide community services.
Photo: City of Toronto Archives
The entrance to Dixon Hall’s rooms and offices are located around the back of the Church, in a slightly newer part of the building:
If you are interested in learning a little more about the history of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, here is a short video made at the time of the 2016 amalgamation of the St. Peter’s and St. Simon’s parishes:
Such a pretty building.
Excellent post Marvin! Love to walk by this church .