About Christ Church

Experience the warmth of belonging.

For more than 175 years, Christ Church Scarborough Village, a member of the Diocese of Toronto and Anglican church, has actively served God and the multicultural people of Scarborough, a heritage of which we are all very proud.

During the years 1845 and 1846 Christ Church was built: a frame structure with a bell tower and stately spire. It was a landmark for Scarborough stagecoach travelers. For many years Christ Church was the centre of life and worship for the Anglicans of the surrounding county, since St. Margaret’s was used only for seasonal services and funerals.

On Christmas morning, 1918, while about 80 people attended service, fire broke out. The building burned rapidly and completely. One of the few relics saved was the Honour Role from World War I, which hangs in the Narthex of the present church. In April 1921, a new $14,000.00 red brick church was built on the same site. For 15 more years the Christ Church spire continued to be a landmark for south Scarborough.

175+ Years of History

Church services in early Scarborough were conducted at irregular intervals in settlers’ log cabins, in barns, roadside inns and schools. The first Anglican Church in the Toronto area east of the Don River was St. Margaret’s Church in-the-Pines, built in 1833. Within a few years, plans were formed and funds raised for a new, larger church to be erected on a better location, a hilltop on the north side of Kingston Rd., just east of the present Cromwell Rd. and west of the C.N.R. railway line.

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1937 to Present Day

By 1936, increasing population brought the need for better highways and therefore work began to widen and level the old Kingston Road to create a four-lane highway. This encroachment upon the church property forced yet another change. It was decided to dismantle the building and rebuild on Markham Road about 1 mile to the west.

The rebuilt, third Christ Church (the present building), architecturally similar to its predecessors, was opened in December 1937. The parish hall and connecting stairways were added in 1955 and the two offices built in 1976. “Renewal 88” afforded the opportunity to add washrooms and an elevator, modifications to the chancel and a new organ.

Since our 150th Anniversary there has been a noticeable change and this one is indicative of the demographic shift in Scarborough. Our congregation reflects the evolution of our church and our community, a community that is both ethnically and culturally diverse.

We look forward to you visiting us.

Our Parish Team

Rev. Ravi Kalison

Priest-in-Charge

Rev. D. Ravi Kalison hails from a traditional Christian family belonging to Church of South India Chennai, India. He served as Evangelist in the Diocese of Chennai After completing Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Divinity and M.A. (Philosophy) degrees, Rev. Ravi Joined WME Bible College as lecturer, and responded to the call of the Lord to Mumbai Diocese for the ordained ministry. After migrating to Toronto, Canada, Ravi joined the Diocese of Toronto and served as Incumbent at St. Bede’s Anglican Church. He has also served as Honorary Assistant at Christ Church Scarborough Village for part of 2010, and as Associate at Church of Holy Trinity Guildwood until recently. We welcome Ravi and his wife Victoria to the Christ Church family.

Rev. Canon Jacquie Bouthéon

Deacon

Jacquie Bouthéon, a native of England, joined Christ Church Scarborough Village in 1984. She has been actively involved in various roles within the church, including Vestry Clerk, Warden, and chair of the Sesquicentennial committee. Jacquie’s calling to the Diaconate stems from her ministry to the elderly in both our parish and at Cana Place, a long-term care facility. She was ordained on Trinity Sunday, May 30, 1999, after completing the diocesan training process for Vocational Deacons. Jacquie also served as a domestic chaplain to two diocesan bishops and was named an Honorary Canon of St. James’ Cathedral at diocesan synod in 2017. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in History and Religious Studies from the University of Waterloo, as well as a Bachelor of Theology from Laurentian University. Jacquie’s dedication extends beyond her academic achievements, as she also obtained a Certificate in Gerontology from Huntingdon, an affiliated university within Laurentian.

Rev. Roy Shepherd

Honorary Assistant

Father Roy Shepherd, an ordained priest, brings over thirty years of experience in the business world of marketing insurance. With a Master of Theology degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a certificate from the Interim Ministry Network, Father Shepherd is highly qualified. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Sociology from McGill University in Montreal, Québec. Father Shepherd’s involvement in the Anglican church spans his lifetime, including various lay positions in parishes and the Diocese of Toronto. He served on the Diocesan Synod and chaired its Board of Parish Services. Additionally, he represented the Anglican Church on the inter-denominational Social Justice Foundation PLURA. After retiring as a full-time parish priest, Father Shepherd continues to use his vast experience to assist parishes in facilitating change. In 2019, he published a book titled “Inspirations From Life,” which reflects his remarkable journey in God’s service.

Jaime Barrow, B.Ed., B.Mus., ARCCO, ARCT, OCT

Director of Music

We are thrilled to announce that Jaime Barrow is now the Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Scarborough Village. Jaime brings a wealth of experience, having served as Assistant Organist and Chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral and as Organist and Director of Music at St. Peter’s Anglican Church for over a decade. With a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Toronto, Jaime is well-equipped to lead our musical endeavors. As an Associate of the Royal Canadian College of Organists and the Royal Conservatory of Music, Jaime has honed his skills under the guidance of acclaimed organists. In addition to his musical endeavors, Jaime is an Ontario Certified Teacher and teaches Instrumental/Vocal Music and Social Sciences at the York Region District School Board.

Ellen Cunningham

Parish Administrator

Ellen’s family moved to Scarborough Village when she was five, and she has called it home for the past 21 years. A dedicated member of Christ Church since 1986, Ellen actively participates in the Chancel Guild and choir. She joined the church staff in February 2017 after retiring from her administrative role at the University of Toronto in December 2016. Ellen, a proud University of Toronto graduate, has two sons. One resides in Pickering with his wife and two children, while the other lives with her.