St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Vaughan is not a single town but a large city of linked communities north of Toronto, and its parishes tell the story of how those communities grew. The area was farmland and small villages for most of the 19th century, with settlers from Britain, Ireland and Germany working the land along the Humber River and Yonge Street. In the second half of the 20th century, the arrival of large numbers of newcomers, notably Italian-Canadian families settling in Woodbridge, transformed the region, and the Catholic Church became one of the strongest institutions for community life. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church belongs to that story as a parish church in Vaughan, Ontario.

While the building is best known locally as a parish church, it is a working place of worship first and a landmark second, in the way of most Catholic parishes. Its interior is organised around an altar, a sanctuary and rows of pews, with statues, stained glass and the Stations of the Cross lining the walls, and such churches are often a focal point for baptisms, weddings, funerals and festivals. The patron saint, John the Evangelist, is traditionally associated with the fourth Gospel, and churches under his name often use an eagle as his symbol.

Visitors should treat the church as a place of prayer. Masses and other services are open to the public, and the times are set by the parish, so check the schedule before arriving. Outside service times, the building may be locked, and access for sightseeing can be limited, so anyone who wants to see the interior should contact the parish office in advance. Dress modestly, keep voices low and avoid photography during services.

The church fits naturally into a day exploring Vaughan's wider heritage. Kleinburg Village, with its main street of 19th-century buildings and the nearby McMichael Canadian Art Collection, is a short drive away, and the Vaughan Civic Centre and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre represent the city's modern face. Together they give a picture of a community that has moved quickly from rural roots to a major suburban city.

Parishes in the region are part of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Anyone interested in religious architecture, the history of the Italian-Canadian community or local church life will find the church a quiet stop.