The history of the oldest parish church in the Toronto area is also the history of North Toronto and a changing culture.

The War of 1812 was barely over when the people of York Mills felled the trees that would become the first St. Johns Anglican Church. Built in 1816 on land donated by pioneer settlers Joseph and Catherine Shepard, the little log church was the first outpost of St. James Church in the Town of York and the first parish church in what would one day become the City of Toronto. The brick church that stands there today, high on the land overlooking Hoggs Hollow, was completed in 1844. Though enlarged and improved over the years, it continues to serve as a welcoming place of worship and a valuable repository of Canadian history.

Scott Kennedy witnessed the farms surrounding his North York childhood home being planted with a new cash crop of buildings. He joined the Toronto Musicians Association in 1969, but never lost his passion for history. He traces the evolution of a Toronto neighbourhood in his bookWillowdale. Scott lives in a Historical Conservation District he helped create in Torontos Beach neighbourhood.

Jeanne Hopkins spent most of her life in the historic Henry Farm community of North York. She realized her passion for local history in the Canadiana department of the North York Public Library, where she worked for 27 years. She is the author of many articles and five books of local history. She lives in Toronto.

Letter to the People of St. Johns from Bishop Patrick YuLetter from the Reverend Drew MacDonaldA Note from the EditorA Letter of Congratulations from the Governor GeneralPart One: From 1966 into the Third CenturyIntroductionThe Rectors and Clergy in Charge of of St. Johns York Mills, 1827 to 2016Chapter One: Lewis Samuel Garnsworthy, Rector from 1960 to 1968Chapter Two: James Francis ONeil, Rector from 1969 to 1989The Wartime Adventures of Able Seaman James Francis ONeilA Boat in the ChurchyardThe Reverend Margery Pezzack: PioneerDavid Flint and the Aurora WeekendsChapter Three: Hollis Hiscock, Rector from 1990 to 2007The Old RectoryNora Marsh van Nostrand WeddDrama at St. Johns York MillsChapter Four: Dr. Drew MacDonald, Rector from 2007Anne Crosthwait, Associate PriestThe Right Reverend Harry RobinsonThe Deacons of St. JohnsDr. Bruce WilliamsThe Reverend Dr. Catherine KeatingChapter Five: The Verger, Bill DennisChapter Six: Music at St. JohnsMaurice WhiteRobin DavisBoni StrangMonique IngallsInfinitely MorePatrick DewellRob EllisHandbells, Chimers, and RingersJoanne FlintCarolyn MartinIn ConclusionChapter Seven: The Women of St. JohnsChapter Eight: Walter Seymour AllwardChapter Nine: C.W. Jefferys HouseChapter Ten: The Generosity of Connie ComerChapter Eleven: The Renovation of 2014The Story of St. Johns Grand PianoChapter Twelve: Beginning the Third CenturyPart Two: Highlights of History PastIntroductionChapter 13: Early History of York MillsChapter Fourteen: Early History of the Church of England in YorkChapter Fifteen: St. Johns York Mills Church 1816Chapter Sixteen: The Second St. Johns York MillsChapter Seventeen: The Men and Women of St. JohnsChapter Eighteen: The Artists of St. JohnsC.W. JeffreysBruce Napier Simpson Jr.E.B. CoxChapter Nineteen: Historical Street Names in the St. Johns NeighbourhoodChapter Twenty: Early NeighboursSeneca KetchumJoseph ShepardJohn WillsonThomas MercerChristopher HarrisonThomas HumberstoneCornelius van NostrandLieutenant-Colonel Duncan CameronLove and MarriageThe VallieresThe PennocksThe Marsh FamilyThe McKenzie FamilyThe Final WordPart Three: Photo Gallery 2016AppendixWardens 19602016: ChurchwardensAssistants in Ministry Through the DecadesOrganists and Choirmasters Through the YearsSome Hymns in the Barrel OrganBibliographiesBibliography for Part OneBibliography for Part TwoPhoto CreditsIndexAbout the Authors