St. Andrew's Church, Presbyterian church building in downtown Toronto, Canada
St. Andrew's Church is a Presbyterian church at the southeast corner of King Street West and Simcoe Street in downtown Toronto, designed by William George Storm in the Romanesque Revival style and completed in 1876. The building was altered and renovated in 1906, and its south end was later rebuilt with a condominium tower above the congregation's first three floors.
Architect William George Storm designed this building, which opened in 1876 and replaced an earlier congregation building that had stood at Church and Adelaide Streets since 1830. The new location and larger structure better served the congregation's needs.
The King and Simcoe corner was once called one of four parts of Toronto society: Salvation, alongside Legislation, Education and damnation, a tavern. The 48th Highlanders Regiment's museum, founded in 1959 and moved here in 1997, occupies the basement with uniforms, medals and weapons. The congregation's Out of the Cold ministry was coordinated by author Stevie Cameron.
The church stands at the southeast corner of King Street West and Simcoe Street, one block west of University Avenue and St. Andrew subway station, which takes its name from the church. Roy Thomson Hall faces the southwest corner of the same intersection. The 48th Highlanders Museum, founded in 1959, occupies the basement and opened there in 1997.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the church secured its future by acquiring air rights for development, allowing new construction above the historic building. This arrangement helped the congregation preserve their home while the downtown area modernized around it.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,664 contributors worldwide.