What does it mean to have faith?
In his sermon for Sexagesima on February 8, our rector, Canon Rob Mitchell, noted the difference between belief and faith. He said belief is an acceptance of a set of propositions. But faith is “a supernatural virtue. It’s infused in us by God alone. No one can conjure up faith by their own efforts. It’s God’s gift to us.”
It struck me as a relevant distinction to make as we embark on FAITHLiFT, a capital campaign to fund a new elevator. The project is perhaps the biggest St. Olave’s has undertaken since our forebears built this sacred space at the corner of Windermere and Ostend. One hundred years ago, they pushed shovels into the ground and started with a basement – our parish hall – which would be their worship space for 10 years. Then in 1937, the sanctuary was complete and ready for worship. The magnificent space we worship in today is the result of their faith in God’s provision for the future of our parish.
To have faith, Canon Rob says, there are three things we can do: ask God for faith; wait, watch and listen for faith; and then choose it for ourselves.
Our mission is to be the light of Christ, and that includes sharing our space with the community. Making St. Olave’s accessible to everyone is critical to helping our church grow, and also paves the way for our faith to grow. I invite you to turn the page to learn more about our FAITHLiFT fundraising campaign, and to prayerfully consider your participation in providing for the future our parish. Our support of FAITHLIFT will put our faith into action.
Blessings,
Martha Drake, FAITHLiFT Capital Campaign Chair
The Project
- Build an addition housing an independent-use elevator opening into the Narthex (our “front” entrance) and Parish Hall
- Add barrier-free landscaping and pathways from Windermere Avenue, Ostend Avenue and parking lot
Cost estimate
$950,000 (including contingencies)
$400,000 already donated (THANK YOU!)
Timeline 2026-2027
Help us meet our fundraising goal
You can support the FAITHLiFT Campaign by mailing your donation, or giving online at stolaves.ca/giveonline (and choose FAITHLiFT from the dropdown menu. You can also give by e-transfer at the email address treasurer@stolaves.ca. Or to discuss your gift, contact Martha Drake at maadrake@gmail.com or 416-274-1455.
Faithlift Prayer
MOST Gracious God, who ceases not to provide for thy people who lift their prayers to thee in faith: Bless our efforts to make St. Olave’s Church accessible to all. Give us grateful and generous hearts, keep us steadfast and committed to our goal, and endue us with wisdom, courage and all thy gifts of grace; that we may bring to fulfilment the plans which thou hast set for us. This we ask through thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Background
In 2019, St. Olave’s struck a committee to explore how to make our building accessible to everyone. All three entrances are at ground level, going up several stairs into the nave or down several stairs to the Parish Hall. There has been a chairlift at the west entrance since approximately 2010. In 2018 it became inoperable and seemingly irreparable. The committee was tasked with determining if an elevator was feasible. The pandemic slowed the pace of the work somewhat, but by 2023, it was ready to share its findings.
Summary of presentation made at Vestry, February 2023.
October 19, 2025
The Committee continued to meet and by fall 2024, it began the competitive process to hire an architect who would provide conceptual drawings and cost estimates. Local architecture firm Lynch + Comisso was selected from five firms. We are working with them on their design concept. This will be shared with the parish for feedback in the fall of 2025.
A FAITHLiFT Case for Support was also provided and is now available in the Narthex or viewable here.
The Committee provided an update of the conceptual drawings and cost estimates. (View or download the presentation below.)
Additional Information based on feedback:
- What is sacred?
- Options F and A – Wardens’ Vestry/Hunger Patrol Room and Church office/Caretaker’s Office
- Option D – Rector’s Office/Lower Level Bathroom
- Option C – Chapel/Lower Level Bathroom
Accessibility Update June 1, 2023
Accessibility Update July 4, 2023
After further consultation with architects and other experts, and based on feedback from parishioners, the committee determined two things:
- The elevator would need to be installed within an addition, as opposed to the existing footprint of the building.
- The addition would be best suited to the Windermere side of the building, on the south side of the main door.
A Special Vestry meeting was held in April 2024 to share the findings with the parish and seek approval of this concept, as well as approval on a potential budget of $700,000. This motion was approved, followed by approval from the Diocese.