The German Community

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From the building of the world’s longest street by early settlers to the masterful designs of city landmarks by individual architects, Toronto’s German-speaking residents have made their mark upon the city. Along Front Street, remnants of Old York mixed with modern developments chronicle Toronto’s growth from a town to a metropolis. Berczy Park on the boulevard of Front and Wellington streets is named for architect and artist William Moll Berczy who co-founded Toronto (York) with John Graves Simcoe in 1794. Not far from this downtown respite is Yonge Street, which was cleared and constructed by Berczy and other German settlers. German Mills Settlers Park (Leslie and John Streets in Markham) commemorates the 64 German families that Berczy brought to settle in Upper Canada.

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The sleek black façade of the Toronto Dominion Centre bears the famous markings of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s international Bauhaus style, while architect Eberhart Zeidler’s designs of top tourist attractions, such as the Eaton Centre, Ontario Place, and Queen’s Quay Terminal, stand as silhouettes on Toronto’s skyline.

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The first recorded German settler in Canada was Hans Bernard, who purchased land in Quebec in 1664. In the mid-18th century, 2,000 German newcomers landed at HaliFax. Early German-speaking immigrants to Canada came not only from the various states of Germany, but also from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and other European countries. After the American Revolution, German settlers from New York State, disbanded German auxiliary troops of the British crown, and Mennonites from Pennsylvania came in search of free land in Upper Canada.

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By 1850, Toronto’s community began to organize as a group; German Lutherans formed the congregation of the First Lutheran Church of Toronto. German builders, architects, manufacturers, and craftsmen started their own businesses, including Theodore August Heintzman, who turned his kitchen trade into Heintzman and Company, a world-renowned manufacturer of pianos. Sir Adam Beck was knighted for establishing the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario in 1903. German musicians gave Toronto’s early arts community a boost when Augustus Stephen Vogt formed the Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto in 1894, and Luigi Maria von Kunits revived the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1912.

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Included in the 100,000 German-speaking immigrants who arrived in Canada following the First World War were farmers, artisans, shopkeepers, and labourers. In Toronto, a German neighbourhood formed around St. Patrick’s Church on McCaul Street. A Catholic Settlement House was added to the church and functioned as a social and cultural centre with a library and a hall for holding classes, theatre evenings, concerts, and dances. The parishioners also formed a credit union and a funeral society.

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Toronto’s industries and economic opportunities attracted more German immigrants following the Second World War, when a number of professionals such as doctors, scientists, engineers, and academics settled in the city. This post-war community formed cultural organizations, including the German-Canadian Club, the Danube-Swabian Club, the Hansa Club, and the Historical Society of Mecklenburg Upper Canada (publisher of the German-Canadian Yearbook). The Kolping Society of Ontario served to help Catholic German tradesmen—stonemasons, welders, watchmakers, and toolmakers.

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While a neighbourhood for Toronto’s 220,000 member German community in 2005, has gradually dispersed throughout the city, examples of German artistry, craftsmanship, and business acumen are manifested throughout the city.

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Places to Go

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Across from the St. Lawrence Centre on Front St., in Berczy Park, an elegant bronze statue, sculpted by Almuth Lutkenhaus, honours the William Berczy family. Charles Albert Berczy, the youngest son, was the first president of the Consumers’ Gas Company from 1847 to 1856, and postmaster of Toronto. William Bent Berczy was a member of the legislative assembly of Upper Canada and a gifted painter like his father.

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Rising above a stately boulevard at University Avenue and Queen Street is a bronze figure of Sir Adam Beck, who was once called “Ontario’s greatest public servant.” The monument on top of a massive granite base was designed by Emanuel Hahn and unveiled in 1934.

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At Black Creek Pioneer Village (Jane Street and Steeles Avenue), the buildings of this open-air museum have been arranged around the early 19th-century farm of the Pennsylvanian German immigrant, Daniel Stong.

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A plaque marks the former residence of 19th century piano manufacturer Theodore Heintzman at 288 Annette St.

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A German library is housed at the Goethe Institute, (Tel. 416-593-5257 (hotline 593-5258), 100 University Ave, North Tower). The library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Tuesdays following a holiday Monday.

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Among the European establishments in the High Park area and along Roncesvalles Avenue, there are a few stores and restaurants that carry the foods of Germany. The staple diet includes kassler rippchen (smoked loin of pork), wurst (sausage), sauerbraten (sweet and sour marinated pot roast), and sauerkraut (salted fermented cabbage). Famous German pastries are sacher torte (chocolate-iced chocolate cake filled with jam), nuss torte (nut cake), and obstkuchen (cake topped with fruit).

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German restaurants found around the city include: The Musket, (Tel. 416-231-6488, 40 Advance Rd); Blackhorn Dining Room, (Tel. 416-449-2841, 251 Ellesmere Rd); and Blue Danube Restaurant, (Tel. 416-290-6186, 1686 Ellesmere Rd., Scarborough), which serves German-Viennese delicacies.

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Another feature that has become an integral part of the culinary life of the city is German specialty and delicatessen stores. Brandt Meats, (Tel. 905-279-4460, 1878 Mattawa Ave., Mississauga), is well known. Dimpflmeier Bakery, (Tel. 416-239-3031, 26-34 Advance Rd), has homemade breads, wonderful tarts, pastries, and a specialty: their “stollen,” considered to be better tasting than the original versions from Germany, are now a trademark. Another well-known bakery is Rudolph’s Specialty Bakeries, (Tel. 416-763-4375, 390 Alliance Ave). Also, Lein Delicatessen, (Tel. 416-251-5858, 3262 Lakeshore Blvd. W). Specializing in German pastries are: Fabian Cafe, (Tel. 416-438-1561, 876 Markham Rd); and Cafe Bavaria and Bakery, (Tel. 416-264-4535, 3244 Eglinton Ave. E).

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German Canadian Club, (Tel. 905-564-0060, 6650 Hurontario St., Mississauga).

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Religious Centres, Schools and Other Institutions

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Most German-Canadians belong to the Protestant churches, but many are Roman Catholic and some are Mennonites or Hutterites.

• ST. PATRICK’S GERMAN PARISH CATHOLIC CHURCH, (Tel. 416-598-4835, 131 McCaul St). The second oldest church was erected in 1908 in Romanesque Revival style.

• THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-977-4786, 116 Bond St). Elongated windows and buttresses highlight the neo-Gothic style of the oldest German church in the city.

• CHRISTUS-KIRCHE, (Tel. 416-494-2201, 2210 Warden Ave).

• EPIPHANY CHURCH, (Tel. 416-284-5922, 20 Old Kingston Rd., West Hill).

• GERMAN UNITED CHURCH, (Tel. 416-484-6849, 20 Glebe Rd. E).

• HUMBERVALE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, (Tel. 416-231-6483 and 232-9191, 763 Royal York Rd).

• MARTIN LUTHER CHURCH, (Tel. 416-251-8293, 2379 Lakeshore Blvd. W).

• ST. GEORGES LUTHERAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-921-2687, 410 College St).

• WILLOWDALE (LUTHERAN) EVANGELICAL CHURCH, (Tel. 416-223-3182, 236 Finch Ave. E).

• DEUTSCHE SPRACHSCHULEN (METRO TORONTO) INC., (www.dssgta.org ​Phone: 647-699-9850. Email: info@dssgta.org)

• GERMAN LANGUAGE SCHOOL FRIEDRICH SCHILLER SCHULE, (Tel. 905-857-1841, 7073 Castelderg Rd).

• TORONTO GERMAN SCHOOL, (Tel. 416-922-6413, 427 Bloor St. W).

 

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Holidays and Celebrations

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• CANADIAN-GERMAN FESTIVAL (ANNUAL EVENT), (Festival hotline: 416-376-7928, www.germanfestival.ca).

• FASCHING KARNEVAL. Masquerade parties and carnivals mark Fasching Karneval (Mardi Gras) held in January and February. The main festivities end on Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent. As part of the festivities, a new prince and princess are chosen.

• GERMANY’S LABOUR DAY on May 1st is remembered by German-Canadians, with special celebrations held by some of the clubs.

• CONSTITUTION DAY on May 23 celebrates the day West Germany established its own constitution.