Building for Belonging
At St. Thomas's Anglican Church, we are a community where people gather not only to worship but also to serve, learn, and grow together. Serving parishioners, students, families, and the broader community through worship, education, and ministries such as our Friday Food Ministry and Friends of Music.
In recent years, our parish life has flourished. Our children’s choir and summer choir camp enrollment have grown in size over the past two years, outreach programs have expanded, and worship attendance remains strong with 22 services offered each week.
Both in-person and online attendance continue to rise across all demographics-except among those unable to access our facilities. We continue to be a vital gathering place, yet the physical barriers of our historic building prevent us from fully living out the radical hospitality of Christ.
The Cornerstone Campaign directly responds to this challenge and these improvements will transform St. Thomas's into a fully accessible hub for worship, arts, outreach, and fellowship.
The Cornerstone Campaign addresses barriers to full participation and prepares St. Thomas’s for growth and long-term sustainability. Three key initiatives are outlined below.
An Accessibility Atrium Connecting Our Spaces
1.
At the heart of the Cornerstone Project is a bright, beautiful atrium that will seamlessly connect the church and parish hall. Designed to reflect the warmth of our historic architecture, this new space will offer barrier-free access and foster connection-allowing all to move easily between worship, fellowship, and community life.
A new elevator, gently sloped ramps, and a universal washroom will ensure everyone-of every age and ability-can move freely between the church, parish hall, and kitchen. Whether arriving with a stroller, a walker, or simply needing a step-free route, all will be welcomed with ease and dignity. A new barrier-free ramp at the rear entrance will simplify deliveries for ministries, events, and music, making it easy to bring in everything from groceries to harps.
You can download a PDF of the before and after images here for zooming in.
Heating & Spot-Cooling of the Historic Church
2.
A new heating system and targeted cooling system for the chancel with new fans to better move air in the nave will provide year-round comfort for worshippers, choir, and clergy—something our historic building has never had. Installed with the Accessibility Atrium, this modern, energy-efficient system will replace our aging steam radiators.
Above: Last February the boiler failed during one of the coldest weeks of the year. The women of the choir wore layers under their cassocks and some even wore toques and mittens at Evensong!
Cast the Net Together
Cast the Net, a diocese-wide campaign that will begin in 2026, invites parishes across the Diocese to reimagine and prepare for the future. By contributing to the diocesan initiative to Strengthen Local Parishes; Reimagine Ministry; Renew Spirituality; and Inspire Faith in Action, St. Thomas's extends the impact of our Cornerstone Campaign-removing barriers here at home while helping parishes throughout the Diocese thrive for generations to come.
3.
Financial Plans
Project Costs
*Includes general requirements, construction management, and design allowance.
Funding Costs
Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Cornerstone; on you alone we build. May we, the members of the household of God, ever improve upon the foundation you have laid, in both word and deed. In all our efforts, and especially in this Cornerstone Campaign, may your blessing always be upon us. Move our hearts to build up your church in this place, until at last we find our eternal dwelling with you; who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, now and for ever.
