Church plants flags during anniversary

Holy Trinity, Thornhill is celebrating its 190th anniversary of ministry in the diocese this year, having been established in 1830. Its building is the oldest original church building still in use in the diocese. The theme of the celebration is “190 Years of Ministry: Making a Difference.”

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the celebration and several changes were made to the planned activities, which included a musical evening and an anniversary luncheon. The plan to plant 190 Canadian flags on a community day, at which Bishop Andrew Asbil would have been present with other civic leaders and members of the community, was cancelled. “In its place, the anniversary committee, chaired by longstanding member Malcolm Shiner, the wardens and members of the Advisory Board planted 190 flags on the church’s front lawn for Canada Day to celebrate our country and to lift the community’s spirit as we continue to live through these days,” says the Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Fields, incumbent.

In addition to the flag planting exercise, virtual visits by the Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, a former incumbent of the parish, and Bishop Asbil, constitute anniversary moments to date. Bishop Peter Fenty, the area bishop, and Bishop Kevin Robertson, a son of the parish, are scheduled to visit in the fall. The parish’s archivist, Linda Robertson, has been sharing articles, “From Our Archives,”via email to all parishioners during the year.

The church was originally built on the west side of Yonge Street, across from Royal Orchard Boulevard, where it stayed until 1950, at which time, due to increased traffic and the widening of Yonge Street, it was taken apart, board by board, and rebuilt on Brooke Street, where it remains today.