Historic Church with Group of Seven Artwork Destroyed in Toronto Fire

A devastating fire has completely destroyed St. Anne’s Anglican Church in Toronto‘s west end, which housed historic Group of Seven artwork that dated back to the 1920s. The blaze, which tore through the 124-year-old church on Gladstone Avenue near Dundas Street West, was reported just before 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Toronto’s Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop lamented the loss of the church and its artifacts, stating that the building and all its contents were destroyed in the fire. The congregation, led by parish priest Rev. Don Beyers, expressed deep sorrow upon learning of the irreplaceable damage inflicted by the blaze. Rev. Beyers highlighted the church’s longstanding importance to the community.

St. Anne’s Anglican Church, a national historic site of Canada since 1996 and designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1980, featured early paintings by prominent Group of Seven artists such as J.E.H. MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, and Frederick Varley. These valuable murals, depicting the life of Christ, adorned the church’s interior and have now been lost forever.

The fire, which triggered a four-alarm response from Toronto Fire Services, required the evacuation of nearby homes for safety precautions. While the main body of the fire was extinguished by mid-morning, crews continued to address spot fires and ensure the surrounding area’s safety.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, with the Office of the Fire Marshal initiating an investigation. The tragedy also impacted the nearby Do West Fest, temporarily delaying the start of the street festival as organizers collaborated with emergency response teams.