OUR SANCTUARY
In October 1962, Don Mills Road was a gravel road that ended just north of where Advent Lutheran Church is located today. Fairview Mall had not yet been developed; North York General Hospital was still under construction; Georges Vanier Secondary School and Woodbine Junior High School were in the planning stage, and high rise apartment buildings were springing up all around “The Peanut” neighbourhood. The Lutheran Church in America – Canada Section, recognizing the need to establish a congregation to serve the fledgling community, sent the Rev. William D. Huras to develop the mission.
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Our first Sunday worhip service was held at Roywood Drive Public School. On February 3, 1963, services were moved to Fenside Drive Public School, where Charter Sunday was celebrated on October 17, 1963, with 63 members signing the Charter Roll. The congregation was officially organized on Reformation Sunday, October 25, 1964, with Rev. Huras continuing to serve as our first pastor.
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Fast-Forward to 1989
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On June 18, 1989, our new (current) Church sanctuary at 2800 Don Mills Road was dedicated. The Advent-themed stained glass window above the altar was designed by Dr. Lloyd Carlsen and Pastor Albrecht, and the two windows on either side of the chancel, were designed by Richard Schickendanz and donated by their family, who still worship and serve at Advent today.
The Advent community acknowledges that our Church is situated on the historical territory of the Huron-Wendat, Petun, Seneca and, most recently, the Mississaugas of the New Credit Indigenous peoples. This territory is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the lands and resources around the Great Lakes.
OUR HISTORY
THE INSPIRATIONAL WINDOWS OF ADVENT
Advent Lutheran Church's sanctuary features a series of stunning stained glass and agate windows, which were donated by various members of the Church and the Worldwide Church of God. Please click on the images below to enlarge and view some of their background information.
This window was the first of the stained glass windows to be installed. Dr. Lloyd Carlsen, his daughter Lisa, and son Ian, donated this window and the tops of the two large windows at the front of the Church.
This window was donated by the Worldwide Church of God as an expression of its anticipation to Advent Lutheran Church for its willingness to welcome the congregation as guests. This window was dedicated January 19, 2003. Patrice Bourgeault of the Worldwide Church of God designed the window working with the stained glass artist and craftsman, Lowell Soucie. Patrice researched how this famous scene has been portrayed down through the ages.
