“The whole Kensington community really thinks of this as their church,” says Reverend Maggie Helwig, rector of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields. The church itself, now more than 150 years old, is a beloved landmark on the edge of Toronto’s Kensington Market. Its mission is one of compassion and justice, and is, under Rev. Helwig’s guidance and in her words, in “a community of solidarity with those who have been pushed to the margins of our society”.
The church was originally designed by Thomas Fuller, architect of the Ottawa Parliament buildings, and it needed important renovations to better meet its 21st century commitments to the most marginalized residents of this diverse and inclusive parish. A new modern kitchen facility was designed and integrated into the heart of the heritage building. The kitchen program is supported with new barrier free and handicap accessible washrooms and by improvements to the main hall.
The kitchen currently allows for Saturday and Sunday breakfasts for up to 300 patrons per meal. Breakfasts are volunteer-cooked and provide food for very low-income community members.
