College Street in Transition

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 College Street Improv

I have found the doors to this historic church on College Street, just west of Bathurst a few blocks, unlocked and beckoning several times now. My first visit was an exciting solo, late-night excursion through mysterious corridors and shadowed stairwells into the expansive, awe-inspiring sanctuary - the diffuse streetlights and muffled street-sounds sculpted the silence and darkness that winter’s night in the 4-storey space. I had a good look around that first time, although didn’t have my flute and recorder on me. I did get some evocative night-time photos on my cellphone, but thought I really should get back, not only to capture the beautiful acoustic of this site in transition with some flute-sounds, but to see the massive interior by the light of day!

On the day of my return, the work crew must have been on lunch-break, as oddly no-one was around. Passing discreetly inside (with a copy of my Urban Flute Project  CD on the ready like a protective talisman, you know, if I needed to explain myself!), I then proceeded up some stairs and into the sanctuary. I discovered that yet again I had the place to myself, or at least so it seemed, so I quietly set up and played my South American wooden, primitive flute, reverently sounding the space. In hindsight I guess I shoulda played, like, Ave Maria or something – either the Bach or Gounod arrangement, I’m not particular - but I am nonetheless thrilled at my success with this rather daring, daytime infiltration!

I’ve been meaning to post this material for a couple of months now, and happened to be down along College Street just yesterday. Update: the condo-ization of this gorgeous building is moving right along, with new roofing shingles and fancy copper trim. I’d love to get back in and play some more, but this at least offers you a glimpse! FYI, my CD Urban Flute Project [transforming space with sound] is available at Soundscapes, just near Clinton & College in Little Italy – great store, and a fun place to browse for magazines or music.

Like the previously described Roy Square, and depending on your perspective, this church conversion can perhaps serve as yet another example of Toronto’s ‘fall from grace’. Let’s just say the jury’s out, and we’ll know better in the coming months as condos are retrofitted with their massive stained-glass windows here. The Church just down the street at the corner of College and Bathurst is often touted as a successful conversion; however it happens that – in pre Urban Flute days – I boldly slipped into the original church as it was in mid demolition. And I have to say that despite the clever conversion, nothing, simply nothing, can replace the religious sense of mystery and history that I experienced that day, treading over mounds of broken plasterand lath, stepping around the pews thrown into jumbled angles in the darkened space, the work crews nowhere to be seen. The basement of that other church was even more dimly lit and emotionally poignant. Feeling my way back above ground, I found myself relying on the sense of touch and smell - in the plaster dust I could almost smell the history and sense of community that was being ineffably altered. – J

cd available at soundscapes

I remember reading a while back that College Street is one of the hippest places on the planet! Well I wouldn’t doubt it for a second, although in the 10 intervening years, this hip strip has likely shifted a half-mile to the southwest, tif you’re wanted to keep pace with the in set: Dundas West, now that’s where things are really happening…just head south from College and Bathurst, hang a right on Dundas, and voila, hipster Shangrila!

So, in case you weren’t looking, this massive church space at the corner of College and Palmerston is undergoing a massive reno