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.
Here are the photo highlights of Toronto – 7 churches and the AGO
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