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 Celebrating the Centennial Year at St. Andrew’s, Islington: 1922–2022
    By Joyce Dove, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Islington in Etobicoke, Ont.
It is difficult to recount 100 years of being a church in one small ar- ticle. The church is thankful and very fortunate that many people from the past have kept adding to and building on our archives. They contain a lot of information, pictures and documents from the past.
St. Andrew’s started as Isling- ton Presbyterian Church in Sep- tember of 1922. Services were held in Islington Public School for two years until a concrete block basement church was opened.
The church has much to be thankful for but it hasn’t all been easy times during our 100 years. The Depression, WWII, a number of congregational splits, the Union of 1925, two major road recon- figurations in the area, a pandemic and redevelopment in the Six Points area have all impacted the church and congregation.
St. Andrew’s has been a beacon in the Six Points area of central Etobicoke. The church is known to be a very welcoming and friendly place. It has always had a strong emphasis of suppor ting mis- sions, missionaries and mission par tners. The church has always offered a variety of programs and activities for all ages as faith building oppor tunities. Prayer has been a very important aspect of the church as well. St. Andrew’s
has been pastored by many fine ministers. They have served our church well, faithfully preaching the Word, engaging the congrega- tion in spiritual formation.
In 1952, a bigger church build- ing was needed due to the grow- ing congregation. This was built on the same proper ty and the name changed to St. Andrew’s, Islington. During construction, the worship services were held either at Wedgewood School, Butler’s Funeral Chapel or the Is- lington Fire Hall. The church was designed after Tillsonburg Presby- terian Church in Tillsonburg, Ont. In 1966, an addition was made to provide more space for Christian Education purposes. This addi- tion included a multipurpose gym, several classrooms, a kitchen, a parlour and washrooms.
St. Andrew’s has celebrated our one hundred years during most of 2022 with monthly an- niversary Sundays. Our guest minister in January 2022 was the Rev. Dr. Dan Scott, the then mod- erator of the PCC. Other guest preachers have either been for- mer ministers, ministry students and missionaries from our past. The guest minister at our final anniversary service in October 2022 was the Rev. Dr. John Vis- sers, who grew up attending St. Andrew’s.
We are thankful for how God has been faithful to the church. He has guided us for 100 years and will continue to guide us forward.
The Rev. Robert Hayashi and the search committee at Richmond Hill Presbyte- rian Church. PHOTO CREDIT: ROGER POTTS
A blessing over the Rev. Robert Hayashi. PHOTO CREDIT: BILL VANDERBOOR
Participants in the ordination and induction of the Rev. Robert Hayashi. PHOTO CREDIT: ROGER POTTS
Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, Ont.
It was a wonderful day of celebra- tion at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church (RHPC) in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Sunday, Oct. 2. The Ses- sion and congregation of RHPC welcomed their new minister, the Rev. Robert Hayashi, his wife, Susan, and his father, Ted, into their church family.
The Session and congregation are grateful to the Moderator and Clerk of the Presbytery of Oak Ridges, the Rev. Joan Masterton, as well as the Rev. Dr. Jeff Loach, who officiated the service, mem- bers of presbytery who provided their support, and the clergy who participated in the service, includ- ing: RHPC interim moderator, the Rev. Rick Manafo, the Rev. Don Muir (Deputy Clerk of the PCC), the Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit (Re- gional Minister for the Synod of Central Northeastern Ontario & Bermuda), the Rev. Debora Rolls (minister at St. Paul’s Presby- terian Church in Peterborough, Ont.), and the Rev. Dr. John Viss- ers (former principal of Knox Col- lege, Toronto). Also in attendance at the ordination and induction of the Rev. Robert Hayashi were Richmond Hill MP Daisy Wai and Richmond Hill Mayor David West, along with many distinguished guests from the community, neighbouring faith communities and choir members from Union- ville Presbyterian Church.
Following the service, a recep- tion was enjoyed by all.
Clergy and elder representatives from the Presbytery of Oak Ridges along with guest clergy speakers. PHOTO CREDIT: ROGER POTTS
Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Robert Hayashi By Susan Johnson, Richmond Hill
  









































































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