Founding of St. Andrew-by-the Lake
This wooden church was built in 1884 at a cost of $2,000. Mr. A.R. Dennison was the architect. A moving force behind the construction of an island church was The Most Reverend Arthur Sweatman (1834-1909) who later became Lord Bishop of Toronto, Lord Archbishop of Toronto [1907 - 1909], and Primate of All Canada [1907 - 1909]. The island church functioned as the Bishop's chapel-of-ease in the long summer idyll of the last century. Some of Toronto's leading families such as the Masseys and Gooderhams assisted in bringing about the establishment of the church during their summers on Toronto Island.

The Bishop's Cottage
The Bishop's Cottage (which later became the Rectory) was also designed by architect Denison and erected at a cost $3,300 in 1884. It too was out of wood and had the fanciful name of Happy-Go-Lucky. It was located right beside the church. The Bishop was an enthusiastic believer in the rus in urbe life that could be led on the Island. The Bishop's Cottage had a belfry-like tower of open-work beams that crowned the fret-sawn gable.

Architecture
The church architect created a semi-Gothic and Mediaeval variation on the Stick-Style that was generally used for cottages and summer hotels. Its plan, with chancel and nave, furnishings, and stained-glass-filled windows followed the established patterns of High Victorian parish architecture. [Source: Lost Toronto by William Dendy, 1993 p.49].  Between 1919 and 1921 large, magnificent stained glass windows were added to the church. These windows were designed and executed by the famous craftsman Robert McCausland.

Morning Prayer
As time passed and the congregation grew, Morning Prayer was started in 1895, with the service of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month.

Blessing of the Boats
Since 1950, the annual Blessing of the Boats is held in the lagoon behind the church. Boats of all sizes and shapes - mostly from the Royal Canadian Yacht and the Queen City Yacht Clubs - come to have their boats blessed by the St. Andrew by-the-Lake rector.

Church moved           
In 1959 the church building was moved to its present location. To do so necessitated sawing it into two pieces. This was a tremendous undertaking, accomplished by experts, with no serious damage to the treasured windows.

More historical information about St. Andrew-by-the-Lake is available
from the Island Archivist, Albert Fulton (416) 203-0921.