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  Our official Centennial logo is designed by Steve Murphy and Petra Bockus, it will be used throughout the Centennial Year. In addition, you will have noticed the beautiful painting on the cover of the Centennial Calendar and on the large banner outside. Karen Inselsbacher's original drawing was adapted by Petra Bockus and then painted as a watercolor by Grace Macpherson. The Heritage/Centennial Committee would like to thank Steve and Petra in particular, as well as Karen and Grace for all the time and effort spent creating these wonderful designs. In addition, thank you to everyone else who submitted designs for our Centennial Logo. They were all excellent and made the selection process very difficult. Do You Know?... Our stone baptismal font, at the front of the church, is believed to be our only physical link to our original church of 1912. When it burned in 1916, the font was rescued along with a long-gone piano. The font had been given as a memorial to Joseph Lea, the English-born general manager of the Canadian Ornamental Iron Works in Toronto. Lea, who lived on Blantyre Avenue in “Balmy Beach,” died in England in 1909 while there for the consecration of his son Arthur as bishop of a Japanese diocese. The font was likely given by the family. See a brief online history of St Nick's here » Did you know there was a real St. Nicholas? |
 Centennial Committee Report to Vestry: 2012
Read the Centennial Committeee's vestry report here »
A most wonderful time all the year
Our Centennial is now at an end, and what an eventful year it has been. We witnessed the arrival of our new rector and substantial work on our church, and throughout we celebrated 100 years of faithful presence in Birch Cliff. As centennial coordinator, I am deeply pleased that we were able to fulfil the approved Centennial programme and more, all under budget. (A financial statement will soon be presented to Council and Vestry.) Naming and thanking every individual responsible for making this happen would be impossible – so much was done by so many. Let me then, on behalf of the Steering Committee, offer our sincerest appreciation to everyone involved, and to the entire congregation for embracing the opportunity to recognize our past and move confidently into our future in Birch Cliff. - David Roberts
Santa arrives at St. Nicholas Centennial celebration
The St Nicholas’ Centennial Christmas Tree ornament is here!!
Joan Wright and the heritage committee, have designed a Christmas ornament, which we will be selling as a keepsake of our 100th anniversary. These antique-silver coloured ornaments featuring the figure of St. Nicholas from a drawing by Joan Wright, are unique mementoes of our centennial year. To get yours contact Barb Betts or Sonia Halloran. $8.00 each.
Centennial Celebration & Confirmation
Sunday, December 9. To round out the centennial year the Most Rev. Colin Johnson will be our honoured guest and speaker, when he will Confirm some of our parishioners.
when you have a chance...
Take a look at a few of our archived pictures of St Nicholas. Do you see something that is no longer part of the building structure? Well, I did and as some of you know, I've been trying to find out just what happened to it. It being the bell and belfry that rested on the roof of our church. There was a story floating around that it was struck by lightening. It was not. It has been said that it rests on our front lawn. It does not. The fact of the matter is, it was taken down and graciously donated to St. Simon's Highland Creek, which closed and merged with another church to become the current St. Dunstan's. The bell on our front lawn was a donation from a former parishioner, Byron Palmer, and Prue did a special dedication service, when it was installed on the lawn.
 Did you know...
why Robinson Hall, a mainstay of our parish and community life, is so named? Built in the 1920s, it was dedicated on 20 January 1978 by the Rt. Rev. Lewis Garnsworthy (a former rector) and fittingly named for one of our honorary assistants, the Reverend Edward G. Robinson, on his 90th birthday. Ordained deacon in 1915, this saintly gentleman came to us in 1953, during Garnsworthy’s leave of absence, and stayed until 1970. What growth he witnessed and fostered! Have a look at his photograph in the Hall. How would we recognize the honorary assistants of today?
November 18, 2012 - Centennial Guest
 we warmly welcome THE VENERABLE ANSLEY TUCKER who is rector of Christ Church, Calgary, and Archdeacon of Bow Valley, an area which comprises the city of Calgary and environs, including Banff! Ansley served St. Nicholas as Assistant Curate from 1980 – 1982, during an era of many changes in the life of the Anglican Church. She remembers experimental liturgies being introduced, baptismal preparation for parents and godparents becoming the norm, preparation of baptised young children to receive Holy Communion gaining acceptance, and the controversy around where to place the High Altar/where the priest should stand, being in full swing. A growing number of women were enrolled in our theological colleges, but which parishes would be willing to accept them? Led by then rector the Reverend Edgar Bull, St. Nicholas was one of the first to do so. Two years later Ansley led the way for countless others when she was made the very first woman Incumbent of her own parish, Port Perry and Cartwright, in the Diocese of Toronto. We are very honoured and most grateful to know that this outstanding priest in the Canadian Church has willingly travelled from Alberta to (in her own words) ‘come home’ to St. Nick’s in this our Centennial Year. Welcome back Ansley !October 21 - Centennial Guest The Rev’d. Kevin Robertson
(incumbent at St Nicks 2005- 2011) Kevin is now incumbent at Christ Church, Deer Park
Did you know...
St. Nicholas' Church, Birch Cliff 100th Birthday Party Community Picnic!
was held Saturday, September 29, 2012 Food and Fun for all ages. Music, Games, Special Guests. Mounted Police. Fire truck. Fun fair. Prizes. Face painting. Street painting. Brass rubbing. Soccer baseball. Free fun, games and food for the neighbourhood.
Leaders: Joan-Mary & Suzanne Followers: Betsy, Elizabeth, Jane, Freda, Doreen, Angela, Maureenrose, Anne.For more information contact 416-691-0449. / See poster here »
Church of St. Nicholas - historical plaque unveiled
 The Anglican parish of St. Nicholas was founded in 1912 to serve the growing village of Birch Cliff. This building, opened in 1917, was designed by Toronto architect Harold Carter. Its steep roof and pointed arch windows are characteristic of the Late Gothic Revival style. Carter’s original plan was finally completed in 1953, when the congregation expanded after the Second World War. As one of the first churches in the area, St. Nicholas Church has played an important role in the development of Birch Cliff. - Heritage Toronto 2012 / dedicated August 9, 2012. Harold Carter (1885-1956) was also involved in the design of Hart House (University of Toronto), Emmanual College, Toronto; Birchcliff Heights Public School, R.H. King Collegiate (demol. 1976; archway and wall fragment relocated to the Guild Inn, Scarborough), Winston Churchill Collegiate, West Hill Collegiate and W.A. Porter Collegiate, Scarborough. Sherrin Funeral Home [website »] on Kingston Road has generously offered to pay half the cost of the plaque. If anyone else is willing to contribute, please speak to Sonia Halloran or David Roberts. Archbishop Johnson at the dedication ceremony
Heritage Toronto address at the dedication ceremony
The Primate Fred Hiltz's Centennial Message
 Centennial Service
The Primate was the Guest Celebrant and Preacher at St. Nicholas as we celebrated the Homecoming Weekend of our Centennial celebrations June 10, 2012. He presented our Wardens with a Certificate marking the visit. (Hover cursor over image above to see another)
 The Centennial Gala - Dinner and Dance
The week-end of June 9/10, 2012 was an exciting one - the Centennial Gala dinner and dance held on Saturday at the Ellas Banquet Hall. On Sunday we welcomed the Primate as our quest preacher - followed by a parish lunch.
Dinner & Dance - The Gala was sold out! Table Wine kindly sponsored by Dave Morgan; Royal LePage Realty, Kingston Road & Victoria Park office Thank you!
There are many people to thank for the wonderful celebration of our 100th anniversary last weekend. Some are very obvious: Doreen Moffat and Jane Roberts, who headed up the committee that organized the gala last Saturday night, Pauline Glasgow who helped co-ordinate the luncheon following the service on Sunday, and everyone who helped them; Betsy Jones and members of the Altar Guild, and all those who donated flowers for the Flower Festival in the church last Sunday; Carmine Lappano and the choir for the music, and especially for the “Centennial Anthem”. There were many more people who worked behind the scenes doing things that were perhaps less obvious, and to all of them, thanks for your contributions to our special weekend of celebration.
Hanging the Centennial Banner - December 2011 The Centennial of St Nicholas Church: 1912-2012
From the Past, Into the Future: St Nicholas Church, Birch Cliff The Reverend Charles Etienne Luce was the first Rector of St Nicholas’ Church - read about him here » |
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The Parish of St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff • Diocese of Toronto • Anglican Church of Canada
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