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Trinity Presbyterian Church, York Mills has been many things to many people across the last half century. To most of them, it has been a spiritual home - a place to enrich the Christian pilgrimage through life, to more clearly understand themselves, and to walk more closely with God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

The history of the inception of this congregation demonstrates the strong faith of the Presbyterians in the York Mills area. Early in 1952, the Kirk Session of Glenview Presbyterian Church appointed a committee of twelve, chaired by Mr. Tom Dutton, to survey the district around the intersection of Bayview and Sheppard Avenues, with a view to establishing a Mission Church.

In September of that year and with the sanction of East Toronto Presbytery, this committee met with a small group of interested residents from this rapidly developing community. The fact that, on October 12th, worship services commenced in Harrison Road Public School, speaks volumes on the success of the meeting.

For those curious about neighbourhood history, although Highway 401 (originally 2A) had been in its planning stages since 1935, construction of the "Toronto Bypass" only commenced in 1951. Then, it was a short section between Yonge Street and Weston Road, which was completed late in 1952. When the "Bypass" or "Interceptor Road" was completed from Islington Ave. to Markham Road, in 1956, it consisted of two lanes in each direction. In 1963, plans were announced for a massive expansion of the new highway, from 4 to 12 lanes with a "collector/express" and this was completed in 1966. This physical and psychological barrier effectively redrew the northern "parish boundary" in the early phases of congregational development.

Stepping back to Trinity's beginnings again, Mr. Walter Donovan, then a student at Knox College was placed in charge of the new mission work, assisted by Miss Jessie McDonald, who was a Deaconess. Four and a half months later, on February 17th, 1953, the Presbytery of East Toronto installed the Rev. Robert H.M. Kerr as Minister in Charge. Under his guidance and with the assistance of Elders from the Kirk Session at Glenview, the Congregation was established of April the 19th of that year. With a Charter Membership of 33, the name "Trinity Presbyterian Church York Mills" was adopted.

As these pictures show, building of the first Sanctuary and offices commenced shortly thereafter. On April 3, 1955, the original (250 seat) Sanctuary was dedicated.

The sanctuary was located on the upper level of what is currently known as the "Kerr Wing". On the same level and dating from the same time were the Minister's Study and Church Office. In the following picture, Dr. Kerr is shown meeting with a Trinity family in his new office. Open fields are visible in the background - quite different from the Trinity surroundings of 2008!

Next to the Office was the Board Room which, with a set of folding doors, could be opened into the sanctuary to provide additional seating. Below them, in the half-basement was the South Hall and associated amenities, such as a small nursery, a kitchen, washrooms, and choir room.

The congregation had 65 communicant members in 1955 and it ceased to be a "mission charge" exactly one year after the sanctuary dedication. At that time, Mr. Kerr was inducted as the minister of word and sacraments, into the "self sustaining charge". Major funding for the North Hall development came from 10 members who each signed promissory notes valued at $1,000.00. From 1968 until 1991, Trinity was "debt free".

Then, on September 11th of 1960, the North Hall, together with its associated kitchen, washroom and other facilities were completed and linked to the existing building. The opening ceremonies were a formal affair, reported the 'Mirror' newspaper. "Dr Andrews, professor of the Old Testament, Knox College emphasized that the church is not interested in buildng recreation centres in competition with other centres. It's Purpose is to develop stronger healthier bodies to serve God. He reminded the assembly to love God, with their minds, their might and their soul at work and at play, at the office home or school to develop a new level of living."

It should be noted that the concept envisaged from the outset, by the early congregation, was that the original sanctuary building would become the Christian Education wing of a significantly larger building. This is shown on a set on plans for the 1955 building. By 1968, a proposal to build a larger sanctuary was being given serious consideration. The building would have been parallel with Truman Road, backing onto Bayview Avenue.

Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, exacerbated by the expropriation of some land by the Toronto and Ontario Highways Departments, for road widening, realignment and interchange construction, this proposal was set aside. Approximately ten years later, the land forming the present northern section of parking lot was given to Trinity, by the City and Province, as repayment for the expropriation.

Up until the expropriation, Trinity had been accessible directly from Bayview Ave., in addition to the access driveway that still exists behind the original building. Hence the current street address and part of the repayment in addition to the land, was the paving of a second entrance driveway to the parking lot, from Truman Rd., in front of the original building.

Throughout most of the 1960s and up until mid-1992, there were two worship services at Trinity, each Sunday, from September to June. These being conducted at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., with the Church School appropriately split to accommodate parents and children at both times. For some years during this phase, a single weekly summer service was conducted on a monthly rotation with Forest Grove United Church, with which, Good Friday and other special services were also shared. Since mid-1992, a single worship service has been conducted at 10:30 a.m.

April of 1978 saw the completion of a project that enlarged the narrow entrance Narthex to the original Sanctuary. Shortly thereafter, this became the location for the Church Library. In celebration of our 25th anniversary, the space below this addition was named the Jubilee Room. Around this time, wood paneling was added to the walls of the Sanctuary and dedicated to the memory of the Rev. R.H.M. Kerr, the first minister.

Beginning in March of 1980 another project was embarked upon. This was a much needed upgrade of the washroom facilities, adjacent to the North Hall. The objective was not only to enhance their aging appearance and apparatus, but also to make them wheelchair accessible. As most of the furnishings were custom made, project completion was not until late August of that year.

With the arrival of a full-time Assistant Minister in 1982, office/study space had to be found. The 'Board Room', which was located next to the Church Office and had opened, via full-width folding doors into the original sanctuary, was reassigned and remodeled for this purpose. After 1991, when this was no longer required, and as the functions of the Church Office were expanded, the partition wall was removed to provide a larger work space.

Shortly after a formal 'sod-turning' ceremony in June of 1991, construction the present [400 seat] Sanctuary began. Participating in this ceremony was the Rev. Dr. John F. Allan, former minister at Trinity and the outgoing Moderator of the 117th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Along with the more spacious and modern sanctuary came several associated additions and enhancements to the existing facilities. These included the 'West Hall' (beneath the sanctuary), the 'Doig Room', the 'Centre Court' atrium and an elevator. Thus the entire building was made 'wheel-chair' accessible. On June 21, 1992, worship was transferred to the new building, and a service of dedication, conducted by the Presbytery of East Toronto, was celebrated on September 27th of that year.

In February of 2001, conversion of the original sanctuary into a smaller, more intimate worship centre and meeting room was completed and renamed 'Founders Hall'. This renaming acknowledges the sense of gratitude in which the present membership of Trinity holds its founding forebears, who began the fifty years of Christian witness that has been at the core of our history thus far. Similarly, naming the original [1954] building the 'Kerr Wing' is in tribute to the first Minister of the congregation. Likewise, the 'Doig Room' commemorates almost 20 years of service given to Trinity by the third Minister on that list. Trinity is also indebted to Glenview Presbyterian Church, whose mission fund provided financial assistance, whose members donated the pews, and some of whose Elders formed the first Kirk Session, during the earliest phase of congregational development.

Although only three ministers have been named in this brief history, as will be seen from the list which follows, a total of eleven have been associated with Trinity. Each of them, in their own time and in their own ways, have built upon the foundations laid down, not only by those whom they succeeded, but also those countless lay members, leaders and teachers with whom they served. Through them and in their service to Trinity, God has shown his gracious providence.

Charter Members – April 19, 1953

• Mr. & Mrs. Jack E. Allenby
• Miss M. I. Bentham
• Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Bond
• Mr. & Mrs. A. Caunt
• Mr. & Mrs. R. C. Dermody
• Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Gibson
• Mr. M. Graham
• Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Grinnell
• Mrs. J. Hughes
• Mr. & Mrs. A. K. Jones
• Mrs. R. H. M. Kerr
• Mr. & Mrs. A. C. Lewis-Watts
• Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Meyer
• Mr. & Mrs. L. E. Nesbitt
• Mr. & Mrs. A. Shanks
• Miss M. J. Shanks
• Mr. & Mrs. L. D. Summerlin
• Mr. & Mrs. A. C. Taylor
• Mr. & Mrs. C. V. Williams

Additional Members prior to Corner Stone – October 24, 1954

• Mr. & Mrs. W. G. Alexander
• Miss P. B. Allen
• Mr. & Mrs. K. G. Anderson
• Mrs. A. Bentham
• Mr. J. Bentham
• Mr. & Mrs. A. W. Carter
• Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Cooke
• Mr. & Mrs. G. S. Dunn
• Mr. A. Hughes
• Mr. & Mrs. J. Kowall
• Mr. & Mrs. H. C. Machin
• Mr. & Mrs. W. F. McMackon
• Mr. & Mrs. E. B. Meyer
• Mr. & Mrs. J. G. Paterson
• Mr. & Mrs. M. Philip
• Miss G. F. Rogers
• Mrs H. F. Tapper

Our Ministers – 1953 to the Present

• 1953 - 1968 Rev. Robert H. M. Kerr
• 1968 - 1987 Rev. Dr. John F. Allan
• 1972 - 1991 Rev. Dr. Howard A. Doig [Honorary Associate]
• 1982 - 1990 Rev. Ronald C. Archer [Assistant]
• 1987 - 1988 Rev. Dr. J. J. Harrold Morris [Interim Moderator]
• 1988 - 1995 Rev. Gordon A. Beaton
• 1992 - 1993 Rev. Kathleen J. Brownlee [Assistant]
• 1995 - 1996 Rev. J. Patricia Hanna [Interim Moderator]
• 1996 - 2000 Rev. Thomas J. Kay
• 2000 - 2001 Rev. John D. Congram [Interim Moderator]
• 2000 - 2001 Rev. Dr. J. J. Harrold Morris [Interim Minister]
• 2001 - Rev. Ferne Reeve

Student Assistants

• Walter Donovan: Fall 1952 - Feb. 1953
• David Walker: 1960 - 1963
• Robert Wilson: 1965 - 196
• Ann Whitman: 1967 -
• Hans Kowenburg: 1973 -
• Calvin Brown: 1974 -
• Jean Bryden: 1974 -
• Jim Biggs: 1975 - 1976
• David Kettle: 1977 - 1978
• Glen Inglis: 1979 - 1980
• John Oldenkamp: 1980 - 1981
• Kent Burdett: 1982 -
• Martin Kreplin: 1983 - 1984
• Andrew Fullerton: 1984 - 1985
• Lance Weiser: 1985 - 1986
• Andrew Fullerton *: 1986 -
• James Czegledi: 1987
• David Whitecross:

Field Education Students

• Lance Weiser
• Drew Burnand
• Fraser Stinson
• Neil MacLeod
• Jane Swateridge
• Matthew McKay
• Alex Bisset
• Summer Students
• Carey Nieuhof
• Charles DeGratsius
• “Home-grown” Students
• Andrew Fullerton *
• Mike Barnes
• Annalise Lauber