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House of Providence

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted May, 2008

Photo Source - Toronto Public Library Digital Archive

Just south of St. Paul's Basilica, which is located at the corner of Queen Street East and Power Street, is this set of two 2007 Heritage Toronto plaques that tell us about a house of charity. Here's what they say:

Coordinates: 43.655391 -79.362960

Click here for a larger map

Once one of the city's largest centres of charity, the House of Providence stood nearby for over 100 years. It was initiated by Toronto's Roman Catholic Bishop, Armand-François-Marie de Charbonnel, in response to the plight of the desperately poor, including many Irish immigrants. To provide shelter and food for those most in need, de Charbonnel enlisted both the help of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the generosity of the surrounding community. Operated by the Sisters, the House of Providence opened in 1857.

Nearly always filled to capacity, the House of Providence would eventually quadruple in size to provide for about 700 residents, including the elderly, the unemployed, orphans, widows, and newcomers to Canada. Some stayed only a few days; others, for years. At its doors, daily meals were given out to the hungry, particularly during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The House of Providence was demolished in 1962 to make way for the Richmond Street exit from the Don Valley Parkway. It was by then a home for the aged, and its residents moved with the sisters of St. Joseph to Providence Villa and Hospital, a new facility located at St. Clair and Warden Avenues, and known today as Providence Healthcare.

Related Ontario plaque
Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge

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Institutional Buildings

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted May 22, 2019
My name is Rocco Chiovitti and I attended Sacred Heart Children's Village from the year 1964 to 1967. I now live in Katy Texas (outskirts of Houston). I remember Sister Superior who had a glass eye, Sister Patricia Marie, my favorite counselor Jerry Maloney who years later I ended up working with as a short term observation officer in group homes. I had great memories. I still remember some of the kids there, Billy Downey, Steven Wineglass just to name a few. My favorite part was going to camp in the summer. There was an old Scottish man who lived on property that would take us to the doctor's office and always after buy us ice cream. He would tell us to eat ice cream with a glass of water because after every spoon, it was important to clean the palate, he had the best Scottish candy. Sister Patricia Marie could throw a foot a mile away. We did a lot of bad things, if you weren't a crook going in, you were a crook going out. During Christmas time we would sneak out and go to everyone's mails box and steal all the money from the Christmas cards. I learned how to smoke cigarettes but in the end, I learned morals and values and how to love and trust God. I will never forget this place. There are so many stories but too long to post. With out the convent, I would have been lost. Thank you for listening. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
Rocco Chiovitti [email protected]

> Posted October 2, 2018
I was there when all you guys where there. Larry Harison, Joey Simpson, Joe Purpol the coloured boy, and sister Bernadette was my favourite nun. I was an alter boy and in the senior blue room I think. If you want a picture of me or want to get in touch my phone is 250-962-7899 or email [email protected] Joseph Lalonde

> Posted September 30, 2018
I was there too at that time. Me and Larry Harrison always ran away and sister Burnadett gave us the strap. I was there when Hurricane Hazel hit. Enjoyed playing by the creek and in the tunnels. The Golden Mile was always fun on Saturdays.
Joseph Lalonde [email protected]

> Posted January 7, 2018
My father, John Balistreri and his older brother, Frank and younger brother, James were put in Sacred Heart Orphanage in the 1920's. His father, Dominic, was a labourer who could not take care of his five sons when his wife became incapacitated. The eldest, Albert was of age and the youngest, Joseph, a baby was taken in by relatives. Unfortunately, all the brothers are deceased now. I am curious about the facts and not just old stories about their time there.
Peggy Fabiano [email protected]

> Posted December 8, 2017
Hi, my name is Alex Copps, I first went to sacred heart orphanage when it was at the corner of st. Clair and Bathurst st. in Toronto in I believe 1948. Anyone there at that time will remember the huge grounds with the huge bushes surrounding the grounds where we played hide and seek etc. Also radio city across the street where we would go to see the Saturday cowboy matinees. We had a tiny gym and limited bathing facilities, once a week baths albeit daily foot baths, (six kids at a time) but the nuns were kind and very fair, the food was always plentiful and very good (You could take as much as you wanted, but had to eat what you took). l remember we had three sets of clothing and three pairs of shoes (Sunday, school and play). I could tell you a story about that but maybe another time. I remember all of us kids going to T. Eaton Co. on a Sunday when they were closed and given the opportunity to shop for our Sunday suits, whatever we wanted. I chose a dark blue gabardine suit which I thought was the nines until Teddy Novak who waited till the last to choose came out with a pair of grey flannel pants and a burgundy sports jacket. Was I envious. I also remember going to maple leaf gardens very early in the mornings to skate and play hockey with just us "orphans". How many normal families got to do that I used to wonder. Then we moved to Sacred Heart Children's Village!!! Heavens, we had this huge gymnasium with all the equipment of which you could only dream. SHOWERS, every night!!! Tom Bardgette who gave at least two to three nights every week of his time to organize and run our floor hockey, ice hockey, baseball, boxing, MURDER ball (that was fun), Hap Day, a friend of Tom who came occasionally to help and who took me with his family to New York City on holiday. All of these things were great but none of it would have been possible without the wonderful sisters of Saint Joseph that not only ran the orphanage but treated us as well or better than our own mothers would or could. I would like to mention all the nuns but many years have passed and many names have faded but not the faces or the kind words, deeds and actions of these wonderful women who were so devoted not only to God but to there chosen path to care for children who needed them. I thank God for the likes of sister st. Margaret Mary, sister st. Bernadette, sister Jacqueline (for whom every boy over ten had a crush) and my special person that I would not hesitate to nominate for sainthood, sister Bonaventure who used to confide to me that she thought her only sin was pride in her brother (Eddie Sanford who played for the Boston Bruins). As a boy I had many serious earaches which would keep me awake crying. I cannot count the number of times that Sister Bonaventure would sit up with me in the wee hours of the morning to comfort me and still be up for her duties at 5:00 am. How about Miss Pat, our dietician and friend to all the boys. I was happy when I heard she had married, she was a wonderful person (not just because she took me to her family's cottage on her holidays). I remember many of the boys that I would hope to call my friends like Teddy Novak, Michael Smith, Richard and Donnie Boru, Kieth Danaulght, Clement Davis (now Christopher), the Waite brothers, Al Lemeure, Kenny McLean, and who could forget that red headed kid, Larry Clancy.I trust all the adults I knew at that time are in heaven, and that all the boys are as happy in their own lives as I am in mine. I would also like to remember Mr. Brennan, our custodian of the power, light, heat etc.at Sacred Heart Children's Village who was very kind to all the boys and died prematurely of cancer in 1951. Also I remember another boy Joey Purpall who was the first person of colour that I had ever known and was a good friend. I also remember that Providence Villa was just The House of Providence which is where the older nuns lived and we would go over and pick berries for them for which we were paid. Sometimes I think I should write a book about my time at SHCV but it would probably bore everyone to tears because it would mostly be about wonderful times like watching the lightning over the trees and fields at night from the dormitory windows, our hikes in the woods and surrounding farm areas and the terrific relationships that most of the kids shared.
Alex Copps [email protected]

> Posted January 28, 2017
I was at the children's village for many years from 58-64. There were many other kids maybe close to twenty kids in our dormitory. This is where I was taught lessons, to eat soap for swearing, have to take a bath after wetting my bed. I had to undress in front of a number of nuns then I had to climb three small stairs to get in to the bathtub that was on a pedestal or had to smoke a box of cigars for stealing staff cigarettes and catching the pets dog house on fire but there was an Angel that worked there overnights (Betty Crawford) that treated me like she cared and help to teach me to sew using a sewing machine. She got permission to take me with her family to the beach (Muscleman Beach), brought me a bicycle and taught me to ride it. She was the best medicine for me at the time. Then the CCAS of Toronto decided to move me to Warrendale Treatment Centre. Life as I understood was done. I lost my friends, my mother figure and hope again till one other child came from the village, Tony Duplessis, to Warrendale Treatment Centre giving me some comfort in knowing I was not alone. CCAS then decided I needed to moved again to Browndale, Brownscamps, Viking homes. In the end it took an angel to help me, aka my better half, to give me the support to grow and learn to trust and love again. I now live in Northern Ontario on the north side of a small lake enjoying life due to my great family. Funny thing is this small town is where my father (he did not acknowledge me as his son) was born in the 1920s. I found my mother and grandmother. They both acknowledged me for 20yrs till their passing and two wonderful sisters. Life is more full now with grandchildren 18-10-2yrs old plus more to grow with healthy family roots to support our Loved ones!! Best regards to all.
Douglas J Gareau [email protected]

> Posted January 2, 2017
I'm Patrick Grisbrook of Scarborough, and I attended Sacred Heart Children's Village in 1973 and 1974. I recall the old building on St. Clair Avenue, just steps away from Warden subway station. I would describe the Village as a part orphanage, and part reform school. It was an all boys live-in school, ranging in age from about 8 to age 14. The 2 dormitories were called East Cottage and West Cottage, with each dorm housing about 25 boys. These 25 boys were broken into 4 groups based on their age. If memory serves, my West Cottage named the groups (youngest to oldest) Astronauts, Cowboys, Diamonds, and Cobras. My fondest memories of the Village were the trips our group would make to the Dairy Queen ice cream shop, just down the street on Pharmacy Avenue. In the summer, there were many hikes through the nearby Warden Woods. The Village had a full-sized swimming pool and gymnasium, where floor hockey was a favourite of mine. Our group also went to see a few movies at the Golden Mile theatre, including "Blazing Saddles" and "Benji." I read where some students shared stories of abuse during their time at the Village. I found the staff to be mostly understanding, and ready to handle a student's outburst quickly. A schoolboy pin usually put a stop to any act of aggression by a student. As for the other abuse, I personally was a little leery of some older boys, but not of the staff. The old building at St. Clair and Warden is gone now, but the memories live on. The following is a list of roughly 40 names of students and staff that I can recall from Sacred Heart Children's Village. I knew I was being sent there to straighten up, and these people would play a role in that process. I'll apologize in advance if any names are misspelled. ( I couldn't spell so good in 1974) Among the staff were ... Dave Smails, Christie Welch, Donna Johnson, Donna Heir, Gunta Stirrus, Anver Garter, Marie Ottenhough, Bill Arbothnott (music teacher) Austin Dale (teacher) Dougall McDonald (social worker) Sister Edna, Murray Chambers (office staff). Some of the students were ... Robert Hayes, Ricky Jones, Raymond Marshall, Chris Kaloss, MIke Plunkett, John Kawczynski, Arthur Northcott, Paul Callaros, Brian Woodgate, Anthony Cadman, Jeff Dietsch, Steven Taylor. David Wideman, Jerry Perrin, Ron Mahonn, Bobby Cowan, Robbie Patton, Roger Foster, Brian Weldon, Kent Gouette, John Reddy, Todd Olmstead, Randy Gauthier, Stuart Landis, Kevin Beck, Peter Rose, Norman Maskell, George Zelles, John Skelton, Robby Playfoot, Jay Noble. Thank you for letting me share.
Patrick Grisbrook [email protected]

> Posted December 19, 2016
My name is Larry Clancy. I lived at Sacred Heart Children's Village in the early to mid 50s and have fond memories of the nuns, property farm, buildings and other children who were there. I was in the senior dormitory. I remember Sister Bonaventure whose brother Eddie Sanford played for the Boston Bruins hockey team. I think she was the only girl in that large family. Sister Bernadette was another sister I recall. I remember the chapel where I was an alter boy and served mass for the nuns. I remember the large dining room where we had our meals. I remember a boxer I think his name was Ezzard Charles who came to visit the boys there. I remember Tom Bardget the sports coach. I think the orphanage housed juniors, bantams and seniors. They were big dormitories with some smaller rooms. I felt very safe and secure in the time I spent there. It's sad to hear they tore it down. Even though some of us who didn't come from good families or like some who never knew their family, there were some of us who were survivors. I always look at life where there's others who were a lot worse off than we were. We had a roof over our heads and 3 square meals a day. Trying to make something of myself in my years after I left there was not an easy road. It had many bumps, but life is what you make it and I'm still trying my best to live my life to the fullest. My motto is "Live every day like its your last". Hopefully all the boys who were there when I was got through life with little bumps in the road but finally found themselves and have a happy life.
Larry Clancy [email protected]

> Posted July 23, 2016
Hi. My name is Michael Wilson and I lived at Sacred Heart Village from 1954 to 1962. There is not a day goes by in my life that I don't think about the time I spent there. Would love to hear from people that were there then. I now live in Edmonton and am on Facebook. My phone number is 780-934-4889. My address is 18015 -73ave Edmonton.t5t 3k2. Sorry I don't know how to do e-mail.

> Posted April 1, 2016
I also was abused in this orphanage. I don't remember much but I do know it wasn't nice and it was a time in my life that I would like to forget. Maybe others that were there would like to contact me. I was there in the late fifties early sixties.
Grayling Malaterre [email protected]

> Posted December 29, 2015
I was at Sacred Heart Children's Village in 1952-1956 at 3275 St. Clair E. I remember the sisters as well as the kids that was there as well as Hurricane Hazel. Looking back, the nuns where saints.

> Posted July 2, 2015
I was in SHCV from 1967 to 1969. It was a time in my life that I did not understand why I was there. All I knew was that it was a safe place to be. A place that was away from being beat with a belt. I do not know if any of the sisters are still around from that time but thanks for their understanding in knowing what I needed at that time in my life. I am now 57 years of age and enjoying life here on the west coast of Canada.

> Posted June 22, 2015
I was in the Sacred Heart Village (orphanage) in Toronto when I was very young. I don't remember much. My name at that time was Grayling Baldwin. I was put in different foster homes with the Catholic Children's Aid Society until I was a teen. I was wanting some information about my stay there. Is there any information around. I am 58yrs old so it would possibly be around 1960 or so. You can email me at [email protected] or [email protected]. It has been many years and I was hoping to contact people who were in the orphanage at that time. Thank you for any help you could provide or contacts that might have information.
Grayling Malaterre RSW/ICAS1V, Clinical Supervisor, Isuarsivik

> Posted February 15, 2015
Such a beautiful building! The good works of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto also spread to our City; Peterborough, Ontario. In 1890 some of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto came to Peterborough to operate the new St. Joseph's Hospital. In 1900, the new House of Providence opened in Peterborough adjacent to the Hospital and local patients previously looked after at the Toronto House of Providence were transferred back here. The history of the Hospital and House of Providence here in Peterborough can be read here in pdf.
R. Gary Carey, Resident of Peterborough, Ontario.

> Posted March 10, 2014
I was in Sacred Heart as a troubled and in trouble child. Things only got worse when I was abused by one of the head counsellors there. Wonder if any other boys were also abused there. Seems to be a main theme for kids in the 70's who were under any sort of care by older males. Though I must include that I do remember quite a few nice staff there as well.

> Posted March 25, 2013
I remember well the care and guidance given to me by the counsellors and nuns during my two year stay at Sacred Heart Children's Village. That period of my life was well spent; it altered my direction for the better and I have absolutely wonderful memories of my time there. The facility was torn down sometime around 1995 in favour of housing; a part of me felt great regret and sadness knowing that it (SHCV) no longer exists on that cliff overlooking the ravine across from Warden station. May God watch over each and every soul that ever worked there, that still exist in this life today, for their efforts to help those young ones that needed direction during a confusing and often overwhelming period in their lives.

> Posted January 6, 2013
I feel that I have been searching forever for information on my Father George Arthur McCarthy born May 20th, 1901 to Elizabeth McCarthy who lived in the House of Providence back in the early 1900's. Mt Father was admitted to Sacred Heart Children's Village in Sunnyside Oct 31,1906 - 6 years old - discharged Aug 17,1907. Re-admitted April 10,1908 - discharged Sept 10, 1909 to his grandmother-name unknown. I believe his Father's name was Patrick Hallagan who also lived in the House of Providence. I feel that the people that I have contacted over the last 20 some years were not of any great help. I have decided to try again hopefully with more luck that last time.
Patricia Cardy [email protected]

> Posted September 27, 2012
I remember the generosity and care given by the nuns and the staff to everyone who ever came to their doors or to their kitchens for help, not a soul was ever turned away. They gave love with every bowl of soup.

> Posted September 26, 2012
A boy I went to school with, but younger than me, was sent to Sacred Heart which was across the street from Providence Villa. I thought it was for children with problems, not an orphanage. When I was in Grade 8, we had to bring gifts and we took them down to Power Street to the House of Providence - it may have been a nice building at one time but I remember it being dark and scary. I'm sure the St. Joe's nuns were happy to move to Warden and St. Clair. My Grandparents were among the first residents of Providence Villa as it was called in the '60s; now my mother is there...maybe I'll be next.

> Posted January 31, 2011
I wasn't even born when it was demolished. It shocks me that a building like that was torn down in favour of a street! I'm truly shocked that people would go and do that.

> Posted November 30, 2010
I used to go to the House of Providence with my grandmother Maud Whibbs & parents when I was a little girl in the 1950's. We would go to visit Sister St. Lucien who not only taught my mother, but also taught me in grade one at St. Paul's RC School. My grandfather who was deceased 3 years before I was born, was from Indian River down by Peterborough. His family had a blacksmith business there. His parents were from County Cork, Ireland & they came from Ireland to the Peterborough area around 1832. My grandfather George Whibbs owned his own barber shop at 160 King St. Toronto. I lived with my grandmother & parents at 35 Seaton St. I sure wish her house was still there, but it was demolished decades ago in favour or a big apartment building.
Mostly sincerely, Sue C.

> Posted April 24, 2010
There used to be a Boys' Orphanage across the street from the Providence Villa. I know that houses now exist on the property. At one point, Providence Villa owned all the land from Eglinton down to the Danforth, From Warden to just where Heron Dr, and the Jewish Cemetery are. My mother lived at Presley Ave and St. Clair Ave. E., right on the corner, and she used to raid their apple trees. My mother used to go visit with the people at the house over the street, just in front of the Orphanage. The man that lived there with his wife and son, used to do the maintenance on the grounds of both Providence Villa and the orphanage. I wonder how many boys remember the place, or want to.
Old Scarborough Resident.

> Posted April 10, 2009
I worked at Providence Healthcare that is now located at Warden and St. Clair Ave East in Scarborough ON. It truly is a great place with friendly and caring staff

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