EGD Glass Receives Award of Merit from Heritage Toronto

EGD Glass has received an Award of Merit in the William Greer Architectural Conservation and Craftsmanship category in the 41st Heritage Toronto Award ceremony held on October 13, 2015.

EGD Glass was recognized along side Takashi Tsuji Architects, William N. Greer, Heritage Mills Historic Building Conservation Inc., and Sonterlan Corp., as part of the team contributing to the restoration and conservation of the Toronto Bell Cote. The restoration of the Toronto Bell Cote was undertaken by Sukyo Mahikari Canada.

The William Greer Architectural Conservation and Craftsmanship awards recognize owners who have undertaken projects to restore or adapt buildings or structures that have been in existence for 40 years or more, or are included on the City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.

The Toronto Bell Cote is the only wood framed church in Toronto and possesses a rich local history. The building was on the verge of collapse in 2010 when renovations began to restore and preserve it. EGD Glass was called upon to restore the damaged stained glass windows.

The team completed the renovation, which also included a new foundation and basement, steel framing and wood restoration through out, in 2014.

Originally built in 1895, the Toronto Bell Cote was once known as Holy Trinity Anglican Church, located in Malton, ON. After falling into disuse, the building was relocated to it’s current site in 1923 and renamed St. Matthias Anglican Church. The congregation of St. Matthias relocated in 1957 and the building was later designated a heritage site by the City of Toronto in 2003.

120th Anniversary of the Toronto Bell Cote: October 18

Celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Toronto Bell Cote, a local heritage site, on Sunday, October 18 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. An event will be held on site at 691 Scarlett Rd., at the corner of Scarlett Road and Kingdom Street.

The event will be marked with activities every hour, on the hour beginning at 12 p.m., including a talk on the history of the building, a presentation detailing the renovation process, and a display of artefacts that trace the building’s history.

The Toronto Bell Cote is the only wood framed church in Toronto and possesses a rich local history. Originally built in 1895, the building was once known as Holy Trinity Anglican Church, located in Malton, ON. After falling into disuse, the building was relocated to it’s current site in 1923 and renamed St. Matthias Anglican Church. The congregation of St. Matthias relocated in 1957 and the building was later designated a heritage site by the City of Toronto in 2003.

Renovations began in 2010 to restore and preserve the deteriorated building. EGD Glass was called upon to restore the damaged stained glass windows.

Conservation and Restoration

After assessing the condition of the stained glass, EGD Glass followed up with the conservation of eight original sash windows. Each panel was dismantled and releaded and some pieces of the painted glass, damaged beyond repair, were replicated. The tryptich window on the east side, which featured three panels, was restored. On the south side, a small Gothic window was restored and moved higher up the wall.

EGD Glass also recommended a secondary glazing to protect the newly restored windows. A traditional wood storm glazing was chosen for being in keeping with the style of the day and meeting the Heritage Toronto Board’s requirements.

Under the guidance of Takashi Tsuji Architects, the entire restoration, which finished in 2014, also included a new foundation and basement, steel framing and wood restoration through out.