The iconic St. Anne's Anglican Church - a breathtaking Byzantine-styled heritage building adorned with artwork from the renowned Group of Seven - stood proud in Toronto's Little Portugal community for over a century. Until fate dealt a devastating blow, reducing this architectural masterpiece to ashes in a tragic four-alarm fire.
For me, discovering St. Anne's felt like a revelation. Its intricate details, rich history, and cultural significance left me awestruck like a fresh-faced architecture student. I was so captivated that I set out to create a documentary (currently in pre-production) celebrating this hidden gem, virtually unknown even within artistic circles.
But now, the tight-knit community who called St. Anne's home has been left devastated and homeless overnight. Irreplaceable artworks and artifacts...turned to cinders. My heart breaks for their profound loss.
Yet in the midst of this heartbreak lies the opportunity to rise up and rebuild, just as Paris has done with the iconic Notre Dame. St. Anne's rector Rev. Don Beyers has vowed the church will be restored. But he cannot do it alone.
Join me in supporting this community effort to revive their beloved landmark. Every donation, no matter how small, will help reconstruct this one-of-a-kind cultural treasure.
Take action now:
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/stannesfire to donate
Spread the word far an wide to your network
Together, we can transform ashes into a resplendent phoenix - ensuring this architectural jewel once again graces Toronto's landscape for generations to cherish.
Don't let this piece of our heritage be lost forever. Donate today and be part of the renaissance.