This is an authentic hand-painted wooden sign from First Avenue Baptist Church, a neighbourhood congregation that served Toronto's Riverdale/East York area in the early 20th century.
Historical Details
• Church: First Avenue Baptist Church, Toronto
• Era: Circa 1910-1930, based on typography and construction
• Minister: Rev. W. Harrison, 18 Chesterhill Rd
• Church Officer: J. Crosby, 27 Poucher St
• Services Listed: Sunday 11 A.M. & 7 P.M., Sunday School 10 A.M., Prayer Meeting Wed. 8 P.M.
Both Chesterhill Road and Poucher Street still exist today in Toronto’s Riverdale neighborhood, just east of Broadview Ave and north of Danforth Ave. This sign is a tangible piece of local Toronto history.
Construction & Condition
• Material: Solid plank wood, likely pine, with original black background and hand-lettered gold paint
• Shape: Distinctive shield/hourglass form with gold border, typical of Ontario church signage 1900-1930
Measures: 29” (at the widest) x 38”h x 1-1/2”d