Parish unveils new book

On Nov. 24, a new parish history of St. Thomas, Huron Street will be launched: Household of God Volume 2, 1994-2024. Its predecessor was published in 1993 to mark the 100th anniversary of the building, designed by parishioner and noted Toronto architect Eden Smith. The second volume is published to mark the 150th anniversary of the parish. It is being printed by Coach House Press, the parish’s neighbour in the Annex.

Volume 2 takes volume 1 (designed by Willem Hart) as its template in terms of structure and style. Both are substantial tomes (in the range of 500 pages) and have involved more than 50 contributors. They are illustrated by a number of black and white photos and two eight-page colour sections. There are separate chapters on the incumbents and on certain physical features of the building, including a lengthy essay by Professor Carl Benn on the church in relation to the Arts and Crafts tradition, with special attention paid to the baptistry, built to honour the First World War dead, and its magnificent stained-glass windows. There are also chapters on music (an overview by Larry Beckwith and a section on choir tours by the Rev. David Montgomery), outreach and reminiscences. Another chapter includes diverse essays on topics including church finances and social justice.

Production costs for this book were substantial, but parishioners and friends responded generously to an unusual appeal. In the earliest days of the book trade, publishers sought interested people to subscribe (i.e. donate money) and in turn be acknowledged in the book as subscribers. Today, subscribers can also receive a tax receipt together with a copy of the book. Since the book celebrates the parish’s sesquicentennial, the subscription cost was $150. The campaign attracted 65 subscribers, along with more than 30 donors who each gave $250 or more. By late August, enough funds were contributed that the book was paid for in advance.

Those interested in purchasing a copy of Household of God can visit www.stthomas.on.ca. To save on shipping costs, you can arrange to pick up the book from the church at the launch (scheduled for Nov. 24) or from the church office at another time following publication.