Winchester Street Theatre, Toronto

The Winchester Street Theatre in Toronto’s Cabbagetown is a remarkable historic edifice. Looking over its substantial brick façade and rounded Romanesque details, you might be surprised to know that the building began life not as a theatre but as a Presbyterian church. Completed in 1891, it was designed by the Toronto architectural firm Gordon & Helliwell.

Owing to its Romanesque Revival style, relatively uncommon in this part of the city, the theatre stands out among Cabbagetown’s Victorian streetscapes. Today, it forms part of the Metcalfe Heritage Conservation District, where many historic homes, churches, and public buildings have been preserved for their architectural and cultural value.

The building later found a new purpose as a center for contemporary dance. It is now home to the Toronto Dance Theatre and its affiliated school. The company was founded in 1968 by dancers and choreographers Peter Randazzo, Patricia Beatty, and David Earle, three important figures in the development of modern dance in Canada.

Over the years, the founders created more than 60 choreographed works, many accompanied by original music written by Canadian composers. Eventually, the company became one of the country’s leading modern-dance ensembles, performing not only here at the Winchester Street Theatre, but also at other Toronto venues, including Harbourfront Centre.

The company has also toured extensively across Canada and internationally. So, as you look at this former church, consider how its role has changed-from a place of worship in the late 19th century to a long-established home for Canadian contemporary dance.