St. Anne's Anglican Church, 270 Gladstone Avenue, Langley and Howland Architects with Burke and Horwood, 1907-08; decorated by William Rae, J. E. H. MacDonald and others, 1923-25.

A most unusual church for Toronto of nearly a century ago, St. Anne's Anglican Church was a result of the egalitarian vision of its rector, Lawrence Skey.

In 1907 Gothic-revival was the predominant architectural style for Anglican churches, but Skey wished to build something he thought more appropriate for his working-class congregation. Thus an architectural competition was held, and the winning entry was Ford Howland's (1875-1948) domed Byzantine-revival design.

The exterior of the church presents a picture of massive weight; with its low and broad proportions the antithesis of slender gothic towers that soar into the sky. Yet the interior of the church does not seem heavy or oppressive.

The plan of the longitudinal section of St. Anne's helps to illustrate the various sections of the church, particularly the transepts, narthex, apse and the great dome that spans 55 feet across. All of these elements contain windows through which light may flow to brighten the church and relieve any sense of gloom.

In keeping with Rector Skey's anti-elitist sentiments, artists who were not part of Toronto's art establishment decorated St. Anne's. When Skey had collected enough money in 1923, he hired architect William Rae to direct a program of decoration, and friend J. E. H. MacDonald to do the actual designs. MacDonald gathered together a number of artists, some of whom were fellow members of the Group of Seven, to work on the project.

Their work is largely in a flat Byzantine style, appropriate for the architecture and considered more meaningful to the average man than typical allegorical paintings. Though the paintings and sculptures have suffered some damage over the years, particularly from a leaking roof, they are still a beautiful testament to the vision of Lawrence Skey.