With attention paid to
Island history and architecture, the tour will include visits to private
gardens, an artist’s studio, and the archives, and then transportation
will be provided to reach the church. Designed by architect Arthur
Denison and built in 1884, the wooden English Gothic structure boasts
four McCausland stained glass windows and others from the studios of N.T.
Lyon, Luxfer, and recently, Patricia Walker.
The ferry docks, at the foot of Bay Street, can be reached by taking the
Harbourfront LRT streetcar from Union Station for one stop. Parking lots
are located east and west of the docks. Catch the 1:30 p.m. ferry to
Ward’s Island. Tickets are $6 return; $3.50 for seniors. The group
will be met at the Island dock. In case of rain, the tour will be held
indoors at the archives and the church.
The walking tour is FREE.
If you wish to come earlier to avoid potential crowding at the ferry
terminal, lunch is available at the charming Rectory Cafe and Art
Gallery, with patio, by the lake. The Ward’s Island ferry leaves the
city on the hour and the half hour. The cafe is a short walk from the
ferry dock, toward the Algonquin Island Bridge. Meet the group at the
archives at 2 p.m. at 5 Ojibway Avenue, across Algonquin Bridge and
straight ahead. Afterwards, if desired, dinner is available at three
restaurants with outdoor patios near the Centre Island ferry dock.
Sunsets over the bay can be spectacular.
If you wish to visit more Island attractions after the tour, bring your
bike, or rent one near the church. If ten or more cyclists are
interested, we can cycle to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, 1808, the
oldest building in Toronto on its original site, and climb to the top
for a great view. The lighthouse is very rarely open to the public. Maps
and descriptions of Island points of interest are available at the
archives, which are open Sunday afternoons year round, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
For more information on the Toronto Islands Archives:
Web: www.torontoisland.org/archives
E-mail: archives9@rogers.com
Phone: 416-203-0921
