Serbian Orthodox Church of St Arsenije Sremac

The Serbian Orthodox Church of St Arsenije Sremac is a Serbian Orthodox parish church located in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. It is uniquely dedicated to Saint Arsenije of Srem, the second Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a direct disciple of Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. This church is notable for being the only one in the world consecrated under the patronage of Saint Arsenije Sremac.

History and Background

The church was established following a blessing in 1969 by Bishop Dr. Sava of Eastern America and Canada in response to the requests from Serbian Orthodox residents in the Oshawa area, near Toronto. It serves a broad parish that extends across the eastern Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Peterborough, Cobourg, Belleville, and as far east as Kingston.

The building itself was originally constructed in the Gothic Revival architectural style between 1857 and 1859 and was formerly known as St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church until 1968. It was repurposed and consecrated as the Serbian Orthodox Church of St Arsenije Sremac on October 9, 1993. The church building is recognized as a heritage property by both the Town of Whitby and the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Architecture and Features

The church building features elements typical of Gothic Revival architecture, designed by architect Amos W. Cron. It retains its historical architectural significance while serving as a religious and cultural hub for Serbian Orthodox Canadians in the region.

Community and Activities

The Serbian Orthodox Church of St Arsenije Sremac functions as a religious, cultural, and educational center for the Serbian community in Ontario. The parish offers regular Orthodox Christian services, community events, and cultural programs. It aims to foster the Serbian Orthodox faith and heritage among its members and engage Orthodox Serbs and others interested in Serbian culture and spirituality.

The parish is part of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and is served by clergy who provide pastoral care across the vast geographic region covered by the parish.

Registration and Legal Status

The church operates as a nonprofit organization under the business registration number 892462367RR0001 in Canada. It is officially recognized as a religious entity and participates actively in the cultural and spiritual life of the Serbian Orthodox diaspora in Canada.

This church represents an important religious institution for Serbian Orthodox believers in Canada, preserving and promoting the legacy of Saint Arsenije Sremac and serving a large community within the eastern Greater Toronto Area and beyond.