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Sacred Space

Many people are taken with the beauty and tranquility of our sacred space. Attend one of our services to see how evocative it can be. 

Freshly arranged flowers, needlepoint kneelers, and finely made linens contribute to the sanctity of our worship without being excessive or ostentatious. Sacred music also plays an important role in our worship.

If you have never been inside Christ Church, why not come see it for yourself and experience the peace and beauty of this sacred space.

Concert Venue

Our sacred space is an excellent performance space with exceptional acoustics. It is regularly rented for concerts by outside groups.
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Benedicite Kneelers

Discover the story of our hand-stitched kneelers, made up of more than 2 million stitches.
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1570 Yonge Street,
Toronto, ON M4T 1Z8

416-920-5211
info@christchurchdeerpark.org

Christ Church Deer Park is part of
the Diocese of Toronto and
the Anglican Church of Canada.  

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The Story behind our

Benedicite Kneelers

When the chancel had to be reconfigured in 1982 to accommodate the installation of the new organ, the original kneelers no longer fit the new altar rail. A decision was made to create a completely new set.

The then rector, the Rev. Canon Ronald Davidson, suggested the “Benedicite” as a theme – a canticle taken from “The Song of the Three Children” in the Apocrypha and a paraphrase of Psalm 148. The canticle is full of wonderful graphic images: the angels rejoice, and praise is raised to all the works of the Lord.

Using this theme, Joyce Hamilton designed the kneelers in thirteen separate sections with a total length of 50 feet. Her design, executed in needlepoint, is continuous and radiates from the central cushions that proclaim the main theme, “All ye works of the Lord, praise Him and magnify Him forever.”

More than 2 million stitches make up the completed work. Beginning in February, 1985, and coordinated by Mary Lou Thomson, eleven women participated in the work with a team of six working on every canvas. Original projections allotted five years to complete the stitching but with their enthusiasm and loving commitment, the stitchers completed their work two years ahead of schedule. The kneelers were dedicated on May 15, 1988.

The kneelers are still used to this day. Next time you come to Christ Church, why not take a moment and pause in front of the kneelers and reflect on their beauty and give thanks to the Creator they praise. 

The Benedicite Kneelers were shown in their entirety at the sesquicentennial Liturgical Arts Festival at St. James Cathedral, Toronto, in the fall of 1989, where they received an award for excellence in design and quality of stitching. Sections of the kneelers are often requested for display. They are included in Art of the Spirit, Contemporary Canadian Fabric Art (Dundurn Press, 1992).

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1570 Yonge Street, Toronto
416-920-5211
info@christchurchdeerpark.org

The Story behind our

Tracker Organ

Our magnificent three manual, tracker-action organ was installed in the chancel of the church in the spring of 1982 and dedicated to the Glory of God and in memory of those who died in the First World War and the Second World War.

The organ, built by the Karl Wilhelm Company of Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, has a classical continental design. The case is made of white oak and the pipe shades are of carved butternut. Voiced in the classic French style, its 36 stops and 50 ranks are capable of interpreting a wide variety of organ literature.

Installation required considerable changes to the chancel including moving the altar forward and arranging choir seating to either side. These renovations prompted the design and production of our award-winning Benedicite Kneelers, done in needlepoint by a dedicated group of church members.