St. Andrew's Church

Toronto's Historical Plaques

Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

St. Andrew's Church (Scarborough)

On the south side of St. Andrews Road in Scarborough stands this old church. Two plaques tell about it. One, attached to the church wall and put up by the Scarborough Historical Society, has this to say:

In 1817 the Rev. William Jenkins, a native of Kirriemuir, Scotland, a missionary to the Oneida Indians of New York, came to Canada in response to the plea of inhabitants of Scarborough, Markham and Whitchurch townships for a Presbyterian minister. Settling in Markham Twp, he organized a congregation under the name of the "Presbyterian Church in Scarborough" in 1818. Led by Richard Thomson, Colin Drummond, Andrew Thomson and David Thomson, its members erected in 1819 the township's first church, a wooden frame building 10m x 14m, on land given by David Thomson. Riding 24 km on forest trails from his home to St. Andrew's Church, Wm Jenkins ministered to his Scarborough people for 15 years. In 1833 they built a manse for his successor, the Rev. James George, on land given by James A. Thomson; and in 1849 they erected this fine brick church.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.760260 -79.251659

Photo by Alan L Brown - October 2006

The other plaque, in the cemetery of the church, is attached to a cairn erected by the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is 1957. It has this to say:

St. Andrew's Presbyterian congregation established in 1818, built a frame church in 1831 in the grounds which lie behind this monument. Within these church grounds are buried many of the pioneer families of Scarborough. The existing brick church built in 1849 to serve the growing congregation has nurtured the spiritual life of Scarborough.

Photo by Alan L Brown - October 2006

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