200 Years at St. John's York Mills

Scott Kennedy witnessed the farms surrounding his North York childhood home being planted with a new cash crop of buildings. He joined the Toronto Musicians’ Association in 1969, but never lost his passion for history. He traces the evolution of a Toronto neighbourhood in his book Willowdale. Scott lives in a Historical Conservation District he helped create in Toronto’s Beach neighbourhood.Jeanne Hopkins spent most of her life in the historic Henry Farm community of North York. She realized her passion for local history in the Canadiana department of the North York Public Library, where she worked for 27 years. She is the author of many articles and five books of local history. She lives in Toronto.

For the buffs out there, several chapters are devoted to the history of the area and the origins of the names of local streets, something that continues to fascinate me.

• Letter to the People of St. John’s from Bishop Patrick YuLetter from the Reverend Drew MacDonaldA Note from the EditorA Letter of Congratulations from the Governor GeneralPart One: From 1966 into the Third CenturyIntroductionThe Rectors and Clergy in Charge of of St. John’s York Mills, 1827 to 2016Chapter One: Lewis Samuel Garnsworthy, Rector from 1960 to 1968Chapter Two: James Francis O’Neil, Rector from 1969 to 1989The Wartime Adventures of Able Seaman James Francis O’NeilA Boat in the Churchyard The Reverend Margery Pezzack: Pioneer David Flint and the Aurora Weekends Chapter Three: Hollis Hiscock, Rector from 1990 to 2007The Old Rectory Nora Marsh van Nostrand Wedd Drama at St. John’s York MillsChapter Four: Dr. Drew MacDonald, Rector from 2007 Anne Crosthwait, Associate Priest The Right Reverend Harry Robinson The Deacons of St. John’s Dr. Bruce Williams The Reverend Dr. Catherine KeatingChapter Five: The Verger, Bill Dennis Chapter Six: Music at St. John’sMaurice WhiteRobin DavisBoni StrangMonique IngallsInfinitely MorePatrick DewellRob EllisHandbells, Chimers, and RingersJoanne FlintCarolyn MartinIn Conclusion Chapter Seven: The Women of St. John’s Chapter Eight: Walter Seymour Allward Chapter Nine: C.W. Jefferys House Chapter Ten: The Generosity of Connie Comer Chapter Eleven: The Renovation of 2014 The Story of St. John’s Grand Piano Chapter Twelve: Beginning the Third Century Part Two: Highlights of History PastIntroductionChapter 13: Early History of York MillsChapter Fourteen: Early History of the Church of England in YorkChapter Fifteen: St. John’s York Mills Church 1816Chapter Sixteen: The Second St. John’s York MillsChapter Seventeen: The Men and Women of St. John’sChapter Eighteen: The Artists of St. John’sC.W. JeffreysBruce Napier Simpson Jr.E.B. CoxChapter Nineteen: Historical Street Names in the St. John’s NeighbourhoodChapter Twenty: Early Neighbours Seneca KetchumJoseph Shepard John Willson Thomas Mercer Christopher Harrison Thomas Humberstone Cornelius van Nostrand Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan CameronLove and Marriage The Vallieres The Pennocks The Marsh Family The McKenzie Family The Final WordPart Three: Photo Gallery 2016AppendixWardens 1960–2016: ChurchwardensAssistants in Ministry Through the DecadesOrganists and Choirmasters Through the YearsSome Hymns in the Barrel OrganBibliographiesBibliography for Part OneBibliography for Part TwoPhoto CreditsIndexAbout the Authors