St. Thomas Anglican Church Modernization (Phase 1)

St. Thomas Anglican Church, a historic church and vibrant community hub in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, is undergoing a multi-phase renovation to reestablish its presence on Huron Street. Building on the heritage of the Eden Smith Arts and Crafts building of 1893, KPMB designed a master plan that offers a framework for sensitively reimagining the buildings on the campus, addressing accessibility, functional, and infrastructure needs, increasing the church’s visibility, and creating a stronger sense of place for St. Thomas in the Annex. 

Reimaging campus connections  

The first phase of the project focuses on creating a new, accessible atrium between the church and the adjacent parish hall. Currently, the connecting structure between the two buildings has multiple levels and is difficult to navigate. KPMB’s planned intervention will remove this existing link and replace it with a 3,000-square-foot atrium. 

A small, sensitive intervention, the atrium keeps a low profile, respecting the heritage buildings on the St. Thomas campus and in the surrounding neighbourhood. Drawing inspiration from the wood trusses in the church, the atrium uses natural, understated materials. A wood timber structure with a west-facing bronze façade, it features stone floors and a glass roof that reveals a previously unseen view to the belltower on the campus.  

Careful consideration was given to its design; its shape and height were guided by sun studies to ensure that no shadows would be cast on the south transept windows of the church, which would adversely affect the lit stained glass and the quality of the sacred space within during mass.   

A gathering place for the community  

A bright, welcoming space, the atrium serves as a functional connection, a gathering space for the congregation before and after services, and a public space for the broader Annex community. It provides a pedestrian passage from the Annex neighbourhood on the west side through to the University of Toronto campus on the east, drawing in the wider community. 

This first phase will pave the way for future renovations to the parish hall, the church, and other areas of the St. Thomas campus, as well as the implementation of a geothermal system and mechanical, electrical, and lighting upgrades to improve energy performance.