My husband alerted me to sad news in early June 2024. St. Anne’s Church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada burned down. We both almost cried, for several reasons. First, it must be devastating for the church members and the neighbors. Secondly, it will be difficult to rebuild. It’s a small parish nestled in the hustle of a large metropolis. The building was home to a truly remarkable set of religious frescoes by the Group of Seven. These are now gone, after having been recently restored.
Friends of the Creche member, Ontario resident Frank Walkingshaw says, “the fire at St. Anne’s was certainly devastating to the church as well as to Canadian art since obviously the murals which were destroyed are irreplaceable.”
Our Friends of the Crèche gathering was held in Toronto in 2011.
That wonderful event featured a stunning Mystery Play, a visit to Ste. Marie Among the Hurons, and great fellowship and learning. My sister, Bobbie Calvo, and I felt genuinely uplifted.
One of the best parts of the program was a tour to several different houses of worship to view their Nativity displays. We had refreshments at each stop and met people who were glad to share their representations of Christ’s Birth. St. Anne’s members made us very welcome and were truly happy and proud that our group appreciated their special artwork.
As much as I loved the conference, I did cry a little when we passed my old street and went to our old congregation, Knox Presbyterian Church on the tour. I am very lucky that my husband’s work took us to Toronto for three years in the early 1990s. I suddenly remembered our younger married years, the birth of our son, Joe’s professional advancement, and the friends we made.
Living there gave us the chance to learn about Canadian culture and arts. Yes, there is more than hockey and loons. My husband already knew and liked the couple of images Americans sometimes see by the Group of Seven. We were thrilled to learn more about them and see many of the paintings in person.
They were a flexible, fluid gathering of artists experimenting and growing together in the early part of the 20th Century, doing their best to create art for the Canadian identity. They didn’t want themes or styles that simply tagged along after New York, London, or Paris creations. Canada is a huge, varied country whose population was growing, yet nature remains a dominant force. Their paintings depicted the mountains and forests, the little towns and the neighborhoods of the cities. These hold valuable, valid feelings that deserve to be expressed by the people who live with them.
It was unusual for the Group to paint classic religious subjects. The focus was most often on the spirituality to be found in nature, and Canadian people’s everyday surroundings. That makes St. Anne’s commissioned gift paintings, including a Nativity scene, more of a treasure for their rarity.
When I contacted McMichael Canadian Art Collection, a leader in the field of homegrown art, they did not wish to provide a comment.
If you are comfortable using YouTube, there is a short video of the Nativity scene that you can view at: YouTube TOUR - St. Anne’s Anglican Church The Nativity by Frederick Varley.
The Fire:
The Lost Treasures:
Helen Stiskal
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