In 2025, Christ Church St. James in Toronto celebrated 41 years of its church library. While most parishes have small shelves with a few books on them, this library has its own dedicated space, allowing it to flourish with books, DVDs, CDs, study guides and more.
In 1984, it was decided that St. James, Humber Bay (before its amalgamation with Christ Church, Mimico) should have its own library, with the idea that it could help the spiritual growth and knowledge of the congregation. With fewer than 50 books and a space shared with the coat closet, this little library was born.
Over the years it continued to grow, with many congregants joining the library committee to help select, purchase and process new books for the collection. With new technology came new items for the library, such as cassettes and VHS tapes, which gradually transitioned to CDs and DVDs.
In 2010, the amalgamation of St. James, Humber Bay and Christ Church, Mimico was finalized, becoming Christ Church St. James – or CCSJ, as it’s nicknamed. With this new parish came the need for new space, and a renovation project to update the building started. This meant the library (now at 2,000 items) had to be packed away and stored in the basement of the rectory next door. This proved challenging, as the team discovered one spring that the basement was at risk of flooding. The boxes of books had to be stacked on top of crates, and dehumidifiers were placed inside to prevent damage to the books.
The building renovation was completed three years later, and the library was moved into its new home. The new library came with taller shelves, new lighting and a beautiful decorative ceiling made using pipe organs salvaged from Christ Church, Mimico after a devasting fire. The library also got an upgrade in technology, as the committee got its first library computer system, which allowed its members to digitize records and say goodbye to the old card catalogue system that had served them well for so many years.
Now, after 41 years, the Christ Church St. James library continues its mission of providing access to all who want to learn more about the Christian faith. The library committee’s hard work and love of Christian literature shines as an example of how vital church libraries are to the Christian community as a place to learn, socialize and understand the love of God.
Submitted by Christ Church St. James.
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