St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto
EELK Toronto Peetri Kogudus
Welcome to St. Peter's Toronto - A Heritage Designated Property
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7 ESV)
"Sellepärast võtke vastu üksteist, nõnda nagu ka Kristus teid on vastu võtnud Jumala austuseks." (Roomlastele 15:7)
Services
We extend a warm welcome to St. Peter's. Our services are held at 11:30 a.m., some Sundays in English and Estonian. Please check our Calendar for upcoming services and events.
Deacon Karl Paju's office hours are from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Jumalateenistused
Teretulemast Peetri koguduse kodulehele. Meie jumalateenistused toimuvad kell 11.30 pühapäeval. Mõnel pühapäeval on teenistused Inglise keeles, osa Eesti keeles. Tulevate jumalateenistuste ja sündmuste kohta vaadake meie kalendrit.
Diakon Karl Paju kõnetunnid kantseleis neljapäeviti kl 12:00 – 3:00
EESTPALVED võib igal ajal kirjalikult esitada kiriku kontorisse:
Heritage Celebration & Commemoration of Great Escape
A significant piece of local history was honoured at St. Peter’s Church on September 20, as the community gathered to mark the 1944 Great Escape and celebrate the building’s new heritage designation.
The occasion brought together congregation members, residents, community representatives, historians, artists, and others who share an interest in preserving the stories that connect the past with the present. The heritage designation recognizes St. Peter’s Church as a place of historic and cultural significance, while the commemoration provided an opportunity to remember a very different chapter of history—the courage and sacrifice associated with the Great Escape during the Second World War.
More than eight decades later, the story of the Great Escape continues to resonate because it represents far more than a daring wartime escape. It speaks to resilience, friendship, sacrifice, and the determination of people living under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These themes of memory and perseverance were especially meaningful within the walls of St. Peter’s Church.
The new heritage designation ensures that the church itself will remain part of the community’s story for generations to come. Buildings such as St. Peter’s are more than structures of brick, stone, timber, and glass. They provide a physical connection to the people and events that shaped a community, allowing history to be experienced rather than simply read about.
A Celebration of Heritage and Community
The event began with greetings from St. Peter’s Chair, Thomas Arget, followed by remarks from Mazhar Shafiq, Assistant to the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Don Valley West.
Representing Mr. Oliphant, Mr. Shafiq conveyed the MP’s warm greetings and sincere regrets that he was unable to attend the service. He acknowledged St. Peter’s as a pillar of faith, culture, and community in Toronto for decades and recognized the extraordinary resilience and spiritual leadership that have shaped the congregation across generations.
Mr. Shafiq also presented a certificate acknowledging St. Peter’s heritage designation and its lasting contributions to Don Valley West and to Canada’s cultural and spiritual life.
The service was conducted by Rev. Ando Kass and Deacon Karl Paju, with Erik Kreem serving as organist. Musical interludes featured the Estonia Choir, directed by Ingrid Silm, and the Toronto Estonian Men’s Choir, directed by Erik Kreem.
The end of the service provided opportunities for guests to bring greetings and offer reflections.
Estonian Honorary Consul in Toronto Thomas Heinsoo spoke on behalf of Gert Auväärt, the new Ambassador of Estonia to Canada, conveying congratulations from the Embassy of Estonia in Ottawa.
Toronto City Councillor and Mayoral Candidate Brad Bradford spoke about the arrival of Estonians in Canada in 1948 and the many contributions they have made to Toronto in the decades since.
Reflecting on the heritage designation, Bradford said: “Toronto looked at what you have known for years, what your parents and grandparents built, and said this is part of Toronto’s story, this is something that ought to be preserved and remembered and revered for decades going forward because a city that builds the future and forgets to protect places loses something that we can never get back.”
He continued by reflecting on the lessons represented by the church and its community, noting the resilience and strength of those who had lost almost everything yet came to Toronto, built new lives, and created something beautiful.
Heritage is About People
Patrick Brown, Heritage Planner, Policy and Research/Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning, spoke on behalf of himself and Tamara Anson-Cartwright, Program Manager, Heritage Planning at the City of Toronto, who was also in attendance.
Brown explained that heritage is about much more than buildings. “When we talk about heritage, people often assume we just refer to buildings, but we always base it on communities, value, and cultural heritage.”
He noted that cultural heritage can encompass many forms of value, including spiritual significance, culture, language, belonging, and history.
In his closing remarks, Brown alluded to 1 Peter 2:4–5, emphasizing that people themselves are important to heritage—the “living stones.”.
Remembering Those Who Built St. Peter’s
Christine Mann, daughter of Michael Bach, was in attendance and represented the Bach family. She expressed the family’s deep gratitude to everyone who has cared for the building over the past 70 years.
She said her father would have been very happy to know that his work is being appreciated today and that the building will be preserved. But, she added, he would perhaps have been even more delighted to see everyone gathered together. Community was always important to Michael Bach, she noted, and he was proud of his Estonian heritage. Knowing that the Estonian community remains strong and that his contributions to the city are being recognized is, she said, a tremendous gift.
Stained-glass artist Ernestine Tahedl also addressed the congregation and reflected on the preservation of her windows, which have become an important part of the church’s character and legacy. “You have given me a gift of preserving the windows, which will be a legacy of my life. I hope the gift of the windows will accompany your worship and your prayers for many generations to come.”
At the original dedication of the church windows, Tahedl had received an Estonian belt as a gift, representing the belt formed by the design of her stained-glass windows within the church. She explained that she had the privilege of keeping the belt and, on this occasion, returned it to the congregation.
Greetings from Estonia and Beyond
Written greetings were received from the ELCIC and from Bishop Ove Sander in Estonia. In his message, Bishop Sander wrote: “I warmly congratulate you on the wonderful news that your beautiful and cherished church building has received special recognition and distinction from the city. Together with the congregation, I thank God that you have this magnificent sanctuary, so important both historically and spiritually, where you can receive grace from the Lord and give thanks to Him and serve Him. May God bestow His abundant grace upon this holy place and upon your congregation.” (Translated)
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow sent her congratulations, writing: “We appreciate the congregation's longstanding contribution to Toronto's Estonian community and the care that generations have taken to preserve the church's history, architecture and role as a place of worship and community connection. Congratulations on this significant heritage designation milestone.”
Member of Provincial Parliament Stephanie Bowman also sent written greetings. Although she was unable to attend because of a prior commitment, she described the official heritage designation as a meaningful recognition of the church’s rich history and architectural and cultural significance.
She also recognized the generations whose dedication and stewardship have helped preserve St. Peter’s as a treasured place of worship and heritage, extending her warm congratulations to the congregation and the Estonian community.
Honouring Those Who Helped Build the Church
Individuals and family members connected with the creation of St. Peter’s were called forward and recognized during the celebration. They included stained-glass artist Ernestine Tahedl; Christine Mann, daughter of Michael Bach; and Marjut Nousiainen Karu, whose father designed the Finnish Boys Memorial. Flowers were also presented to choir directors Ingrid Silm and Erik Kreem in recognition of their contributions to the musical life of the congregation.
Sharing the Story with a New Generation
The church basement was filled to capacity as guests gathered for fellowship and refreshments, including catered sandwiches, fruit, cakes, and coffee.
During the gathering, guests viewed a new 32-minute documentary about the history of the congregation and the church building, titled The Story of St. Peter’s Church: The History Behind a Toronto Heritage Treasure. The film is now available through the church’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.
The documentary adds another dimension to the effort to preserve the story of St. Peter’s, ensuring that future generations can learn not only about the building itself, but also about the people, faith, traditions, and experiences that have shaped the congregation.
A Living Heritage
The September 20 service and fellowship gathering were both a celebration and an act of remembrance: a celebration of a historic building newly recognized for its heritage value, and a solemn reminder of the people whose courage and sacrifice should never be forgotten.
Those attending were reminded, as Patrick Brown emphasized, that heritage is ultimately about people. Preserving a historic building means preserving a place where stories can continue to be told—stories of faith and community, as well as stories of courage, sacrifice, resilience, and hope.
At St. Peter’s Church, those stories remain very much alive.
Toronto Peetri Kiriku pärandikaitselise staatuse tähistamine ja Suure Põgenemise mälestamine
20. septembril austati Peetri Kirikus olulist osa kohalikust ajaloost, kui kogukond tuli kokku, et mälestada 1944. aasta Suurt põgenemist ja tähistada hoone uut pärandikaitse staatust.
Sündmus tõi kokku koguduse liikmed, elanikud, kogukonna esindajad, ajaloolased, kunstnikud ja teised, keda ühendab huvi säilitada lugusid, mis seovad minevikku olevikuga. Kultuurimälestise staatus tunnustab Peetri Kirikut kui ajalooliselt ja kultuuriliselt olulist paika, samas kui mälestusüritus pakkus võimalust meenutada üht hoopis teistsugust ajaloo peatükki – Teise maailmasõja ajal toimunud Suure põgenemisega seotud julgust ja ohverdust.
Rohkem kui kaheksa aastakümmet hiljem kõlab „Suure põgenemise“ lugu endiselt, sest see tähendab palju enamat kui vaid julget sõjaaegset põgenemist. See räägib vastupidavusest, sõprusest, ohverdusest ja erakordselt rasketes oludes elavate inimeste otsusekindlusest. Need mälestuse ja visaduse teemad olid Peetri Kiriku seinte vahel eriti tähenduslikud.
Uus kultuuripärandi staatus tagab, et kirik ise jääb kogukonna ajaloo osaks veel paljudele tulevastele põlvkondadele. Sellised hooned nagu Peetri Kirik on midagi enamat kui lihtsalt tellistest, kivist, puidust ja klaasist ehitised. Need loovad füüsilise sideme inimeste ja sündmustega, mis on kujundanud kogukonda, võimaldades ajalugu kogeda, mitte lihtsalt sellest lugeda.
Kultuuripärandi ja kogukonna tähistamine
Üritus algas Peetri Kiriku esimehe Toomas Argeti tervitussõnadega, millele järgnesid sõnavõtud Mazhar Shafiqilt, auväärse Robert Oliphanti – välisministri parlamendisekretäri ja Don Valley Westi parlamendiliikme – assistendilt.
Härra Oliphanti esindajana edastas härra Shafiq parlamendiliikme soojad tervitused ja siirast kahetsust, et ta ei saanud jumalateenistusel osaleda. Ta tunnustas Peetri Kirikut kui Torontos aastakümneid kestnud usu, kultuuri ja kogukonna tugisammast ning tõstis esile erakordset vastupidavust ja vaimset juhtimist, mis on kujundanud kogudust põlvkondade vältel.
Härra Shafiq andis üle ka tunnistuse, millega tunnustati Peetri Kiriku kultuuripärandi staatust ning selle püsivat panust Don Valley Westi piirkonna ja Kanada kultuuri- ja vaimuelu arengusse.
Jumalateenistust juhatasid pastor Ando Kass ja diakon Karl Paju, organistiks oli Erik Kreem. Muusikalisi vahepalasid esitasid Ingrid Silmi juhitud Estonia Koor ja Erik Kreemi juhitud Toronto Eesti Meeskoor.
Jumalateenistuse lõpus said külalised edastada tervitusi ja jagada mõtteid.
Eesti aukonsul Torontos Toomas Heinsoo esines Eesti uue suursaadiku Kanadas Gert Auväärti nimel, edastades õnnitlused Eesti saatkonnast Ottawas.
Torontos linnavolikogu liige ja linnapeakandidaat Brad Bradford rääkis eestlaste saabumisest Kanadasse 1948. aastal ja nende paljudest panustest Toronto linna ellu sellele järgnenud aastakümnete jooksul.
Pärandimärgistuse üle mõtiskledes ütles Bradford: „Toronto vaatas seda, mida te olete aastaid teadnud, mida teie vanemad ja vanavanemad üles ehitasid, ning ütles, et see on osa Torontost, see on midagi, mida tuleks säilitada, mäletada ja austada veel aastakümneid, sest linn, mis ehitab tulevikku ja unustab kaitsta oma olulisi paiku, kaotab midagi, mida me kunagi tagasi ei saa.“
Ta jätkas, mõeldes kiriku ja selle kogukonna poolt antud õppetundidele, märkides nende vastupidavust ja tugevust, kes olid kaotanud peaaegu kõik, kuid tulid siiski Torontosse, rajasid endale uue elu ja lõid midagi ilusat.
Kultuuripärand on seotud inimestega
Patrick Brown, Toronto linnavalitsuse pärandiplaneerimise, poliitika ja uuringute ning linnaplaneerimise valdkonna pärandiplaneerija, rääkis enda ja Tamara Anson-Cartwrighti nimel, kes on Torontos kultuuripärandi planeerimise programmijuht ja oli samuti kohal.
Brown selgitas, et kultuuripärand on palju enamat kui hooned. „Kui me räägime kultuuripärandist, eeldavad inimesed sageli, et me viitame vaid hoonetele, kuid tegelikult lähtume alati kogukondadest, väärtustest ja kultuuripärandist.“
Ta märkis, et kultuuripärand võib hõlmata mitmesuguseid väärtusi, sealhulgas vaimset tähtsust, kultuuri, keelt, kuuluvustunnet ja ajalugu.
Lõppsõnas viitas Brown 1. Peetruse kirja salmidele 2:4–5-le, rõhutades, et kultuuripärandi jaoks on olulised inimesed ise – „elavad kivid“.
Mälestades neid, kes ehitasid Peetri Kiriku
Kohal oli ka Michael Bachi tütar Christine Mann, kes esindas Bachi perekonda. Ta väljendas perekonna sügavat tänulikkust kõigile, kes on viimase 70 aasta jooksul hoone eest hoolitsenud.
Ta ütles, et tema isa oleks olnud väga õnnelik, teades, et tema tööd hinnatakse tänapäeval ja et hoone säilitatakse. Kuid ta lisas, et isa oleks ehk olnud veelgi rõõmsam, nähes kõiki kokku tulnuid. Kogukond oli Michael Bachile alati oluline, märkis ta, ja ta oli uhke oma eesti päritolu üle. Teadmine, et eesti kogukond on endiselt tugev ja et tema panust Toronto linna tunnustatakse, on tema sõnul tohutu kingitus.
Ka vitraažikunstnik Ernestine Tahedl pöördus koguduse poole ja mõtiskles oma akende säilitamise üle, mis on saanud kiriku iseloomu ja pärandi oluliseks osaks. „Te olete andnud mulle kingituse akende säilitamise näol, mis jääb minu elu pärandiks. Loodan, et need aknad saadavad teie jumalateenistusi ja palveid veel paljude tulevaste põlvkondade vältel.“
Kiriku akende esialgsel pühitsemisel oli Tahedl saanud kingituseks eesti vöö, mis sümboliseeris kirikus asuvate vitraažakende kujundusest moodustuvat vööd. Ta selgitas, et tal oli olnud au seda vööd hoida, ning nüüd andis selle sel puhul kogudusele tagasi.
Tervitused Eestist ja mujalt
Kirjalikud tervitused saabusid ELCIC-ilt ja piiskop Ove Sanderilt Eestist. Oma sõnumis kirjutas piiskop Sander: „Tervitan Teid südamest nende heade uudiste puhul, et Teie kaunis ja kallis kirikuhoone on pälvinud linna poolt erilise tunnustuse ja tunnustuse. Tänan koos kogudusega Jumalat, et Teil on see imekaunis ning ajalooliselt ja vaimulikult oluline pühakoda, kus Te saate Issandalt armu vastu võtta ning Teda tänada ja teenida. Andku Jumal oma rohket armu sellele pühakohale ja Teie kogudusele.”
Toronto linnapea Olivia Chow saatis oma õnnitlused, kirjutades: „Me hindame koguduse pikaajalist panust Torontos asuvasse eesti kogukonda ning hoolt, mida põlvkonnad on näidanud kiriku ajaloo, arhitektuuri ja rolli säilitamisel jumalateenistuse kohana ning kogukonna ühenduslülina. Õnnitlused selle olulise kultuuripärandi nimetamise tähtpäeva puhul.”
Ka provintsi parlamendi liige Stephanie Bowman saatis kirjalikud õnnitlused. Kuigi ta ei saanud eelneva kohustuse tõttu kohal viibida, kirjeldas ta „ “ ametlikku kultuuripärandi nimetamist kui kiriku rikkaliku ajaloo ning arhitektuurilise ja kultuurilise tähtsuse tähendusrikast tunnustust.
Ta tunnustas ka põlvkondi, kelle pühendumus ja hoolitsus on aidanud säilitada Peetri Kirikut kui hinnatud pühakoda ja kultuuripärandit, ning edastas oma soojad õnnitlused kogudusele ja Eesti kogukonnale.
Kiriku ehitamisele kaasa aidanud inimeste austamine
Tseremoonia käigus kutsuti ette ja tunnustati Peetri Kiriku rajamisega seotud isikuid ja nende pereliikmeid. Nende hulgas olid vitraažikunstnik Ernestine Tahedl, Michael Bachi tütar Christine Mann ning Marjut Nousiainen Karu, kelle isa kujundas Soome poiste mälestusmärgi. Lilled anti üle ka koorijuhtidele Ingrid Silmile ja Erik Kreemile tunnustusena nende panuse eest koguduse muusikaelus.
Loo jagamine uue põlvkonnaga
Kiriku kelder oli täis, kui külalised kogunesid ühiseks koosviibimiseks ja suupistete nautimiseks, mille hulka kuulusid tellitud võileivad, puuviljad, koogid ja kohv.
Kohtumise ajal vaatasid külalised uut 32-minutilist dokumentaalfilmi koguduse ja kirikuhoone ajaloost pealkirjaga “The Story of St. Peter’s Church: The History Behind a Toronto Heritage Treasure “ („Peetri Kiriku lugu: Toronto kultuuripärandi aarde taga peituv ajalugu”). Film mille uurija ja koostaja on Tiiu Roiser on nüüd kättesaadav kiriku veebilehel, Facebooki lehel ja YouTube’i kanalil.
Dokumentaalfilm lisab uue mõõtme Peetri Kiriku ajaloo säilitamise püüdlustele, tagades, et tulevased põlvkonnad saavad teada mitte ainult hoonest endast, vaid ka inimestest, usust, traditsioonidest ja kogemustest, mis on kogudust kujundanud.
Elav pärand
20. septembri jumalateenistus ja koguduse kokkutulek olid ühtaegu nii pidustus kui ka mälestusüritus: pidustus ajaloolise hoone auks, mille kultuuripärandi väärtus on äsja tunnustatud, ning pidulik mälestus inimestest, kelle julgust ja ohvreid ei tohi kunagi unustada.
Nagu Patrick Brown rõhutas, tuletati osalejatele meelde, et kultuuripärand puudutab lõppkokkuvõttes inimesi. Ajaloolise hoone säilitamine tähendab sellise koha säilitamist, kus saab jätkata lugude jutustamist – lugusid usust ja kogukonnast, aga ka lugusid julgusest, ohverdusest, vastupidavusest ja lootusest.
Peetri Kirikus on need lood endiselt väga elusad.
Toronto eestlaste kogudused tähistasid taasiseseisvumis ja Musta Lindi päeva
23. augusti pühapäeva hommikul toimus Peetri kirikus imekaunis jumalateenistus, millele järgnes koosviibimine. Kirikus tähistasid kaks kogudust - Vana Andrese ja Peetri kogudused koos külalistega – Eesti 35. taasiseseisvumispäeva ja Musta Lindi Päeva.
Vaatamata tõsistele teemadele oli kirikus märgata rõõmus ja positiivne õhkkond. Tublisti üle saja inimese kogunes, ning Vana Andrese ja Peetri kogudused võtsid vastu külalisi Eestist, USAst, Rootsist, Belgiast ja isegi nii kaugelt kui Austraaliast. Sõpruse ja koostöö meeleolu tekitas kirikus rõõmsa sumina.
Teenis diakon Karl Paju, orelil ja klaveril mängis Erik Kreem. Erilise külakosti tõid Baltimore-Washingtoni Eesti Segakoorist kuus liiget (kellega liitus Erik Kreem), kes Tjorven Hairfieldi juhtimisel kostitasid jumalateenistusel osalejaid kaunite häälte ja lauluseadetega. Esimene etteastena laulsid nad a capella kaks koraali: esimene neist - keskaegse puhta polüfoonilise kõlaga „Mu mano tulge, latse“ (seade M. Kõlar ja K. Hunt) ja teine kaasaegsem aga sarnaselt rikkaliku harmoonilise kõlaga „Sanctus“ (seade U. Sisask). Kogudus puhkes iga laulu järel applausi, näidates oma naudingut ja headmeelt.
Pühakirja lugesid Vana Andrese kogudusest Tõnu Naelapea ja Peetri kogudusest Anne Liis Keelmann. Jeesus ütleb Matteuse evangeeliumis: „Sest suu räägib sellest, millest süda on tulvil.“ Sõnum oli hoiatus, et sõnadel on suur tähtsus. Seega ei ole meie probleem ainult selles, mida me ütleme; küsimus on selles, mis on meie südames. Uhkus, hirm, kibestumus ja soov ennast teistest paremaks pidada hakkavad varem või hiljem meie kõnest välja paistma.
Diakon Karl Paju jutlus oli ülendav ja tiivustav! Mõtted on tähtsad, sõnad on tähtsad, teod on tähtsad ja inimeste siht peaks olema leplikkus – see on eriti tähtis ühiskonnale. Ta tuletas meelde, et Peetri kirik oli põgenike poolt ehitatud ja et sõnades on jõud, mis ühendab meid oma esivanemate ja eelkäijatega. Jaakobus tuletab meile meelde, et keel on küll väike ihuliige, kuid võib juhtida midagi palju suuremat – nagu väike tüür juhib laeva või valjad hobust. Ta võib andestada. Ta võib õnnistada. Ta võib julgustada. Ta võib kutsuda meid tagasi lõhenemise äärelt. „Sest suu räägib sellest, millest süda on tulvil.“
Musta Lindi Päeval pole meie kohustus ainult mäletada, vaid ka teostada oma eluga, et see, mida meie rahvas, kellelt vabadus võeti; meie perekonnad, keda lahutati; meie inimesed, keda küüditati, tapeti või kes pidid kodumaalt põgenema – see, mida nad hoidsid ja ehitasid, ei olnud asjata. Hoida eesti keelt. Hoida kultuuri. Hoida mälestusi. Hoida kirikut. Hoida kogukonda. Ja hoida ka seda, mis on kõige raskem: võimet üksteise kõrval seista. Seepärast palugem Jumalalt mitte ainult, et Ta muudaks meie sõnu, vaid ka et Ta muudaks meie südant, millest need sõnad lähtuvad. Ja kui süda muutub, võivad muutuda ka meie sõnad, teod ja lõpuks... saatus. Pärast oli mitmelt kohalolijalt kuulda kuivõrd nad nautisid Karli inspireeritud sõnumit kogudustele.
Teenistuse lõpul laulis koor Erik Kreemi klaverisaatel kaks armsaks saanud laulu: „Oma Saar“ (sdn. A. Lemba) ning „Ärkamise aeg“ (R. Eespere), mille järel väljendas rahvas aplodeerides püstiseistes siirast tänu esinejatele, ning koorile kingiti lilli. Muidugi ei lastud kooril lahkuda enne kui nad laulsid armastatud lisapala „Ta lendab mesipuu poole“ (P. Sarapik/J. Liiv). Kõik laulsid kaasa!
Pärast teenistust olid kohalolijad kutsutud kohvilauda nautima, mida gildringi juhataja Aida Shelton koos abilistega mõlemast kogudusest olid valmistanud alumises saalis. Nad olid kaunistanud saali valgete laudlinadega ja siniste salvrätikutega kooskõlas samavärvisliste lilledega mis kaunistasid igat lauda. Nii paljud tulid alla saali, et toolidest tuli puudus ja pidi juurde tooma! Aga võileibu jätkus ja kooki, puuvilja ja kringlit ka! Diakon Paju luges ja laulis söögipalve, millele laulsid kohalolijad hoogsalt kaasa.
Peetri koguduse juhatuse esimees Thomas Arget kutsus sissejuhatavas avasõnas mujalt tulnud külalisi end tutvustama. Mitmed olid Eesti valitsusametitest ja Eesti saatkonnast, kaasa arvatud Marti Mätas, Eda Silberg, Kadri Linnas, Anne-Ly Reimaa, Tiina Tarkus, Külli Siim ning Tartust tulnud arhivaar Kaia Ivask; lisaks ka külalisi Brüsselist, Austraaliast, Rootsist ja muidugi veel Eestist. Tore oli näha ja kuulda kust kaugelt inimesed pärinesid.
Veel kord sai kuulda Baltimore-Washingtoni Segakoori liikmetelt laulu, millele ühinesid paljud kohalolijad. Toit oli hea, tujud olid head ja sõbralik jutuvada kestis kaua.
Ilo-Katryn Maimets, Liina Purje-Lepik ja Anne Liis Keelmann koostöös
Fotode galerii: (Thomas Arget, Anne Liis Keelmann, Linda Melders, Tiiu Roiser)
Honouring Our History: St. Peter's Designated a Heritage Property
July 7th, 2026
Dear congregation members and friends,
We are delighted to share some wonderful news with our congregation, friends, and the wider community.
The City of Toronto has officially designated St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto as a Heritage Property through the passing of a heritage designation bylaw. This recognition is a significant milestone that acknowledges the historical, architectural, and cultural importance of our church building and its lasting contribution to our community.
We thank God for His faithfulness throughout the years and for the generations of members, leaders, and friends whose love, service, and stewardship have helped preserve this sacred place of worship. This designation is not only an honour but also a reminder of our responsibility to continue caring for this cherished landmark for future generations.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Toronto for this recognition and to everyone who has supported and contributed to the preservation of St. Peter's.
As we celebrate this special occasion, we invite you to join us in giving thanks for our rich heritage while looking forward with hope as we continue our mission of worship, fellowship, service, and sharing God's love with our community.
A special celebration service to commemorate the designation will be held this fall.
Armsad koguduse liikmed ja sõbrad,
Meil on suur rõõm jagada suurepärast uudist meie koguduse liikmete, sõprade ja terve kogukonnaga.
Toronto linn on ametlikult tunnistanud meie Toronto Peetri kiriku hoone kultuuripärandi omandiks, võttes vastu vastava pärandikaitse määruse. See on oluline verstapost, mis tunnustab meie kirikuhoone ajaloolist, arhitektuurilist ja kultuurilist väärtust ning selle püsivat panust meie kogukonnale.
Täname Jumalat Tema ustavuse eest läbi aastate ning kõigi nende põlvkondade koguduseliikmete, vaimulike ja sõprade eest, kelle armastus, teenimine ja pühendumus on aidanud seda pühakoda hoida ja säilitada. See tunnustus ei ole üksnes suur au, vaid ka meeldetuletus meie kohustusest jätkata hoolitsemist selle hinnalise ja kalli pühakoja eest ka tulevaste põlvkondade jaoks.
Avaldame siirast tänu Toronto linnale selle tunnustuse eest ning kõigile, kes on toetanud ja aidanud kaasa meie Peetri kirikuhoone säilitamisele ja hoidmisele.
Tähistades seda erilist sündmust, kutsume teid üheskoos tänama Jumalat meie rikkaliku pärandi eest ning vaatama lootusrikkalt tulevikku, jätkates oma kutsumust Jumala teenimisel, osaduses, ligimese teenimises ja Kristuse armastuse jagamises meie kogukonnaga.
Sel sügisel toimub pidulik jumalateenistus, et tähistada meie kirikuhoone ametlikku tunnistamist kultuuripärandi omandiks.
Preserving a Landmark Church and a Piece of History
Founded in 1948, St. Peter’s Congregation quickly outgrew its rented space and, in 1953, acquired property in Toronto to build its own church. The main portion of the building was completed in 1955.
For more than 71 years the church has faithfully served both its congregation and the wider community.
As early as 2018, Toronto City Planning adopted the Midtown in Focus: Final Report, which included the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan. As part of that study, a Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment identified 817 Mount Pleasant Avenue as a property with potential cultural heritage value.
On September 28th, 2020, after learning of the intended sale of St. Peter’s, a concerned congregation member, together with fifty-eight supporters, submitted a Heritage Property Nomination Form. Online Petitions calling for the preservation of the church gathered 1361, while numerous individuals wrote to the City urging officials to protect the building. Articles highlighting the issue appeared in both Estonian and English-language newspapers.
Following several public hearings at which many speakers expressed strong support for heritage protection, 817 Mount Pleasant Avenue was listed on the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register in June 2023.
The Designation Process
In June 2025, two years after its listing date, the property was technically removed from the Heritage Register in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act. However, this did not prevent City Council from proceeding with the designation process, and Heritage Planning continued advancing a Notice of Intention to Designate in March of 2025.
Ontario Regulation 9/06 sets out the criteria for evaluating properties for designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. These criteria assess a property’s design or physical value, historical and associative value, and contextual value. A property may be designated if it meets at least two of the provincial criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest. Remarkably, 817 Mount Pleasant Road was found to satisfy five of the nine criteria!
The designation process then proceeded through the required municipal approvals. Heritage Planning presented a Notice of Intention to Designate (NOID) to the Toronto Preservation Board, where it was readily approved. The matter then advanced to the Planning and Housing Committee, followed by Toronto City Council, which officially adopted the designation. After the required 30-day appeal period, the by-law designating the property at 817 Mount Pleasant Road was enacted on June 25th, 2026.
Designation of Property
On April 28th, 2026, City Clerk John D. Elvidge formally issued the Notice of Intention to Designate the Property stating:
“TAKE NOTICE that Council for the City of Toronto intends to designate the property, including the lands, buildings and structures thereon known municipally as 817 Mount Pleasant Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.18, as amended, as a property of cultural heritage value or interest.
Reasons for Designation
The property at 817 Mount Pleasant Road is worthy of designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value, and meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the provincial criteria prescribed for municipal designation, under the categories of design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual value.
Description
Located on the southeast corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Roehampton Avenue, St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (817 Mount Pleasant Road) was commissioned by Estonian immigrants and designed by Estonian-Canadian architect and church member, Michael Bach. Erected in 1955 as a memorial to the thousands of Estonians who died in both World Wars, the Estonian War of Independence, and as refugees, it continues to serve as an active place of worship and commemoration for Toronto’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran community and as a cultural hub for the broader Estonian-Canadian community. The property contains a Mid-Century Modernist style A-Frame Church with attached two-storey ancillary wing, a 1970 Modernist style freestanding, pre-cast concrete belltower, and columbarium. Based on Bach's plan, fellow Estonian-Canadian architect and church member Ants Elken oversaw the addition of the Ladies Guild Room to the north wing, bell tower, and courtyard with garden wall, which were completed by 1970.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value
Historical and Associative Value
The property has value for its direct association with Toronto's Estonian-Canadian community. St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church was established in 1948 by Estonian immigrants fleeing Soviet occupation after the end of the Second World War. Following a brief period of worship at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at 274 Concord Avenue, in 1954 the church commissioned Estonian-Canadian architect and church member, Michael Bach, to design their own place of worship. Constructed and consecrated in 1955, the property has continuously served as a place of worship for the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran community and a cultural hub for the broader Estonian Canadian community.
The church also has value for its association with the noted Estonian-Canadian architect, Michael Bach (1916-1972), who is identified as a person of significance by Toronto’s Estonian-Canadian community. An instructor at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto, Bach was the first of a group of Estonian-Canadian architects to arrive in Toronto after the Second World War who would play an important role in advancing Modernism in Toronto. The subject property reflects the ideas of Michael Bach, which were heavily influenced by Scandinavian Modernist architecture. This is evidenced through its Mid-Century Modernist design, clean lines, and an emphasis on natural materials.
The property has further value for its association with acclaimed Austro-Canadian glass artist and painter Ernestine Tahedl, who created the property's stained-glass windows between 1987 and 1990. With a career spanning over 60 years, her works include the coloured-glass windows for the Sanctuary building at the Canadian pavilion for Expo ‘ 67 (1965-1967) and the Salvation Army Sanctuary in Toronto (2023). Other notable works by Tahedl include the concrete and glass sculpture lantern at McGill University (1968), and the glass mosaics for the former Edmonton Post Office (1965), which were reinstalled at the Royal Alberta Museum in 2016.
Design Value
The property at 817 Mount Pleasant Road has design value as a representative example of a Mid-Century Modernist style A-Frame church. Its clean lines, functionality, simplicity of form, honest expression of both natural and manufactured materials, and large, steep, gable-ended roofline and freestanding bell tower are hallmarks of the Mid-Century Modernist style. The property is unique for its fan-shaped plan with sloping roof ridge, complex four-point glulam beam trusses, copper clad roof with ridges referencing the glulam trusses, prow-shaped principal elevation with projecting front gable, and richly textured brick cladding laid in the Common bond pattern featuring alternating recessed and protruding courses.
The property also has design value for its artistic merit which masterfully combines scale, form, and massing, with structural elements and materials. This is reflected in the building's fan shaped floor plan and rear sloping roof ridge that, on the interior, draws the eye to the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical (east) end, a floating balcony surmounted by a full height window at the west end, a wood clad cathedral ceiling supported by a system of four-point wood laminated glulam trusses, and pyramidal hanging light fixtures.
Contextual Value
St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church has contextual value as a landmark property on Mount Pleasant Road. Constructed in 1955 and enlarged in 1970 and 1975, its distinctive free-standing bell tower and Mid-Century Modernist design stand out among the surrounding mix of early-20th century house-form buildings, modern mixed-use mid and high-rise structures, and the Collegiate-Gothic style of Northern Secondary School directly to the north. St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church also has value as a cultural landmark for the greater Toronto area as an active place of worship serving Toronto's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran community and its members throughout the city for the past 70 years.
Heritage Attributes
Design or Physical Value
The following heritage attributes contribute to the design and physical value of the property:
Exterior -
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The scale, form, and massing of the church, featuring a fan shaped plan with prow-shaped principal (west) elevation and steep A-Frame roof with sloping roof-ridge,
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The copper roof cladding featuring raised diagonally set ridges following the interior laminated wood glulam roof trusses,
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The brown brick cladding laid in a textured Common bond pattern featuring alternating courses of recessed and protruding brick at the principal (west) and rear (east) elevations,
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The principal (west) elevation's centred double entrance featuring heavy wooden doors with vertical battening and copper clad awning set beneath a full-height window featuring triangular lights with metal muntins divided into four quadrants by mullions in the form of a Latin cross,
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The freestanding precast concrete bell tower.
Interior -
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The exposed laminated wood glulam roof trusses set in a crossing pattern that terminate as pillars at grade,
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The wood-clad cathedral ceiling in the nave and sanctuary featuring a narrow, full-height skylight at the rear (east) wall above the altar,
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The full height volume of the sanctuary featuring wooden pews and floating balcony at the west end featuring a pipe organ and accessed by north and south balcony staircases,
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The low-slung north and south walls featuring coloured-glass windows set between the laminated wood glulam pillars,
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The rear (east) wall featuring flush pointed Common bond-laid brown brick,
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The front (west) wall featuring flush pointed Common bond-laid brown brick set between vertical steel supports, and centered double entrance with batten doors beneath a full height coloured-glass window.
Historical or Associative Value
The following heritage attributes contribute to the historical and associative value of the property:
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The organ, located on the floating balcony with plaque commemorating Estonian Sailors,
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The Finnish Boys Memorial on the south wall facing the altar,
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The coloured-glass windows on the north, south, and west walls of the church,
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The date stone on the north corner of the principal (west) elevation.
Contextual Value
The following heritage attributes contribute to the contextual value of the property: The set-back, placement and orientation of the main church building and bell tower on the east side of Mount Pleasant Road at Roehampton Avenue. NOTE: The columbarium and 1955-1970 ancillary wing do not contain heritage attributes.”
We remember and honour…
the many hands and hearts who built, served, restored, and lovingly cared for this historic church through the years. We give thanks for the faithful builders, benefactors, volunteers, and parishioners whose hands, hearts, prayers, devotion, and steadfast labours established, sustained, and preserved this sacred house of worship for generations past, present, and yet to come.
The heritage designation of this historic church recognizes more than the preservation of an old building; it honours a lasting spiritual foundation that has served generations of worshippers and the wider community. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares that His church is built upon a foundation that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against,” reminding us that the Church is meant to endure through time and hardship. Likewise, 1 Peter 2:5 describes believers as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house, emphasizing that the true strength of the church comes from the faithful people who have worshipped, served, and gathered within its walls across the years.
Protecting this church through heritage designation preserves both its architectural beauty and its sacred legacy, ensuring that future generations may continue to find faith, community, and spiritual shelter within this enduring house of worship.
Doors Open Toronto - May 23 & 24, 2026
A cool and rainy day greeted those who ventured out to explore Toronto’s unique buildings and landmarks during this year’s Doors Open weekend, discovering the people, places, and stories that make our city a true global mosaic. Nearly 170 sites participated this year, and St. Peter’s was once again delighted to be part of the event.
Celebrating this year’s theme, “The World in a City,” visitors to the church were able to admire the beauty of our building, enjoy performances by the Toronto Estonian Men’s Choir, attend an organ concert by Erik Kreem, and meet stained glass artist Ernestine Tahedl.
On Sunday, guests could also take part in the musical services presented by the Salvation Army and the Toronto Korean Open Church. In the Guild Room, visitors were introduced to Estonia through a video presentation, with the space transformed into a small cinema for the occasion.
Visiting on Sunday were several members of the Estonian Parliamentary Friendship Group delegation including Chairman Mr. Peeter Tali, parliamentary member Tarmo Tamm and staff member Andreas-Ra Adoson.
Chairwoman Aida Shelton kept the volunteers and singers happy and well fed. A great thank you to all the organizers and volunteers whose hard work helped make this year’s event another great success. Photographs: Thomas Arget & Anne Liis Keelmann
