197 John St
St. George the Martyr Church
Is it a heritage property?
Yes. 197 John St, Toronto is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, Part IV (as an individual property).
Designation is the strongest protection under the Act and is not affected by the January 1, 2027 deadline. Source: City of Toronto — Heritage Register, as of September 1, 2026.
A place of worship. Many are being sold or closed; see Regeneration Works for ways to keep them in community use, and other places of worship at risk.
At a glance
- Year built
- 1845
- Architect or builder
- Lane, Henry Bowyer
- Building height
- about 13 m at its highest point (City of Toronto 3D massing)
- Lot area
- 2,941 m² (0.29 ha)
- Neighbourhood
- Kensington-Chinatown
- Designation
- Part IV (individual property)
- By-law
- 663-80
- Ward
- Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York
- Location
- Matched to the municipal address
St. George the Martyr Church, 1845, Henry Bowyer Lane; Church School 1857, Kivas Tully, at Stephanie St.; Rectory of St. George the Martyr, 1865, Gundry & Langley (formerly 205 John St); Church DEMOLISHED, tower remains, Description, from City of Toronto — Heritage Register
Building details from the municipality's register unless marked otherwise.
Condition on the ground
No condition reports yet.
A vacant or neglected heritage building can be reported to the municipality's property standards or by-law office (311 in most cities). Photos must be taken from public property and must not show people.
Community collection
No historic photos, documents or recollections yet. Do you have one?
Development applications
- Plan of condominium · filed June 11, 2019 · ClosedAbout 23 m away, at 10 Stephanie St (the application covers 4 addresses) · 19 169427 STE 10 CDProposal to create a standard condominium (189 units)Application details
- Site plan approval · filed December 15, 2015 · ClosedAbout 23 m away, at 10 Stephanie St (the application covers 3 addresses) · 15 265526 STE 20 SAThis application consists of two distinct structures: a 14 storey mixed use building comprised of 189 residential units and 136m2 of grade related retail space located on the southern portion, and a three storey private art gallery located on the northern portion of the site.…Application details
- Official Plan or zoning by-law amendment · filed June 16, 2014 · ClosedAbout 23 m away, at 10 Stephanie St (the application covers 10 addresses) · 14 174774 STE 20 OZTo re-zone the subject lands for the purposes of constructing a two new buildings. A 14 storey residential apartment building containing 184 units with below grade parking and a three-storey building which will be an art gallery.
From municipal open data (Open Government Licence – Toronto). An application is a proposal; it doesn't change the property's heritage status. Nearby means within 50 m.
History on this site
- First recorded as designated
Other heritage properties on this street
- 55 John StDesignated
- 86 John StDesignated
- 104 John StDesignated
- 109 John StDesignated
- 111 John StDesignated
- 113 John StDesignated
- 115 John StDesignated
- 117 John StDesignated
- 119 John StDesignated
- 121 John StDesignated
- 122 John StDesignated
- 123 John StDesignated
- 125 John StDesignated
- 126 John StDesignated
- 127 John StDesignated
- 129 John StDesignated
- 133 John StDesignated
- 150 John StDesignated
- 168 John StDesignated
Source: City of Toronto — Heritage Register, as of September 1, 2026.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
Not legal advice. Confirm status with the municipality.