Toronto – 7 churches and the AGO

Monica’s navigation skills are superb. She took us into East-end Toronto amid bumper to bumper lunch time traffic on the 401 and the Don Valley Parkway. It baffled me how the traffic continuously went from 130 km/hr to zero and then back up again. Here is the chronological list of events over the next two days:

We stopped for a moment in the Don Mills neighborhood to visit St. Brigid’s church. Lucky to get in as carpenters were working there getting ready for the church’s 100th anniversary. Guido Nincheri windows!
Through downtown Toronto white-knuckled on the Gardiner Expressway (!!!)
Stop in Port Credit for a quick bite. Cute town with lots of shops and restaurants.
Arrived at Monica’s sister’s house mid-afternoon. Marg and Gary welcomed us and we enjoyed a warm sunny afternoon on the back patio.
Marg and Gary’s entire family came to dinner (her two children with their spouses and children plus the family dog). Thirteen in total, we had a delicious home-cooked ham dinner. So great to see everyone and very appreciative they would all take the time to come and see us.
The next morning, Mon and I hopped the Go Train to downtown Toronto. The day’s agenda was packed as follows:
St. James Cathedral – gothic, dark, tall narrow windows. Interesting note: this was my 200th church that I have officially documented the stained glass! That was a happy mile stone for me 😁
Metropolitan United Cathedral- neo-gothic, less ornate, we had it all to ourselves. The east window was not illuminated on this day. The church is looking like it needs some sprucing up.
St. Michael’s Basilica- dark, wonderful stained glass, blue/red rose window.
Church of the Holy Trinity – nestled in a courtyard amid towering skyscrapers, small and simple, very old, lucky to get in as they were just about to start a music concert. Folks were seating as I quickly snapped my pics.
Lunch at The Village Idiot Pub (Village Idiot salad with tuna and anchovies)
St. Patrick’s Cathedral- stunning windows, lots of tourists there just like me.
The Art Gallery of Ontario where we spent two hours admiring the collections: Inuit sculpture and Group of Seven paintings (Lawren Harris is my fav) were the highlights for me. Great views of downtown and the CN Tower from the 5th floor.
St. Andrews Presbyterian – had it all to ourselves, lovely windows and wrap-around second level pews.
Back to Marg’s house to relax, share stories of the day and blog.