Toronto’s Multifaith Past and Present
by Hugh Considine, Miqa Sears, and Kam Gurung
Adapted from Hugh Considine, Miqa Sears, and Kam Gurung’s assignment for their class “The Study of Religion” (RLG200H1S) at the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion.
At first glance, Massey College’s chapel might seem like just another quiet, tucked-away space on U of T’s campus. However, this one-of-a-kind landmark stands testimony to the intersection of Toronto’s religious past, present, and future. In 2017, the late Queen Elizabeth II designated it as Canada’s first Anishinaabek Chapel Royal, recognizing the unique relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples.
Traditionally, Chapel Royals were places of worship tied directly to the British monarchy. Visuals of grand, historic churches in England come to mind. But here, at the University of Toronto, this chapel is different. It blends Anglican traditions with Anishinaabe spirituality, making it a space that challenges how we think about sacred spaces, religious authority, and reconciliation in Canada.
Why it Matters
In a university setting that has historically been shaped by Christian institutions (U of T itself started as King’s College, an Anglican school), the Chapel Royal stands as a powerful symbol of change. It represents an effort to move beyond colonial histories and create spaces where Indigenous traditions are acknowledged and honored.
CR’s significance can be seen beyond the binds of a history book; The chapel actively supports initiatives like Orange to Orange, a project that raises awareness about the legacy of residential schools and Indigenous representation on campus. This means the space isn’t just symbolic. It’s a place of action, education, and healing.
“With its new designation, the space will be used to acknowledge the history of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and its ratification through the 1764 Treaty of Niagara.”(Massey College, 2017)
Symbolism: More than Objects
Inside the Massey College Chapel Royal, two key symbols stand out: the book and the feather. These objects hold powerful, contrasting meanings. Reflecting not only diverse spiritual traditions, but also a shift in how authority is understood on campus.
The Bible represents textual authority—a cornerstone of Christian traditions that shaped U of T’s early foundations.
Originally established as King’s College, the university was built on Anglican principles, where sacred texts were seen as the ultimate source of truth and power. This echoes Hannah Arendt’s idea that “authority precludes the use of external means of coercion”, meaning that the church’s authority didn’t rely on force but on the belief that the written word held unquestionable wisdom. This kind of authority, rooted in scripture and institutional power, once defined who belonged at the university, and who didn’t. In fact, before the late 1800s, U of T limited access to non-Protestants, creating an environment where other religious voices, especially Indigenous ones, were effectively excluded.
addresses representatives of the Queen, Massey College Chapel. Photo by the Toronto Star
The feather, on the other hand, symbolizes a different kind of authority: one rooted in oral tradition and relational wisdom. In Anishinaabe culture, the feather carries the weight of truth and responsibility. When someone speaks while holding a feather, their words are understood to carry spiritual and communal legitimacy—a stark contrast to the individualized & text-based authority of the university’s past. The presence of the feather in this sacred space signals a rejection of colonial-era exclusion and an acknowledgment of Indigenous authority, one that isn’t written in books but passed down through lived experience and storytelling.
Together, these two symbols force us to confront important questions: Whose authority has historically shaped this campus? Whose voices are finally being recognized? The Chapel Royal embodies this tension, standing as both a reminder of U of T’s Christian foundations and a step toward a more inclusive, multi-voiced future.
Our Call to Action
One of the biggest questions about any religious space on campus relates to who gets to use it. The Massey College Chapel Royal is not exclusively accessible for Anglicans, nor Indigenous students, it’s meant to be a shared, multi-faith space where people from different backgrounds can reflect, learn, and engage with spiritual traditions.
However, what good is a sacred space if most students can’t access it? Right now, undergraduate students are not permitted inside Massey College, meaning this important landmark remains out of reach for many members of the U of T student body.
If the Chapel Royal truly represents reconciliation and inclusivity, then students deserve to experience and engage with it firsthand. Otherwise, it risks becoming another representation of authority, something that we believe it was meant to counteract.
Citations
Evan, Steve. Photography. Massey College. Toronto. https://www.masseycollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MASSEY-CHAPELArt-Booklet-v6-7inchspreads-web-email.pdf
Massey College. Massey Chapel Art Booklet. Toronto: Massey College, 2020. https://www.masseycollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MASSEY-CHAPELArt-Booklet-v6-7inchspreads-web-email.pdf
Tidridge. Nathan. Photography. October 27, 2017. Histoire Canada. Toronto. https://www.histoirecanada.ca/consulter/politique-et-droit/le-traite-de-niagara
Author Unknown. Photography. June 12, 2019. Toronto Star. Toronto. https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/rejuvenating-the-relationshipbetween-the-crown-and-indigenous-peoples/article_41671f5f-5264-54a4-b0e7-B5bec5388f45.html
Considine. Hugh. Photography. September 18, 2024. Toronto.
Arendt, Hannah. What Is Authority? In Between Past and Future: Eight Exercises in Political Thought, 91–142. New York: Penguin Books. 2006.
James, H. (n.d.). Massey College Chapel designated as Canada’s first anishinaabek chapel royal. University of Toronto. https://www.utoronto.ca/news/massey-college-chapel-designated-canada-s-firstanishinaabek-chapel-royal
Bolduc, D., Gordon-Corbiere, M., Tabobondung, R., & Wright-McLeod, B. Indigenous toronto: Stories that carry this place. Coach House Books. 2021.
Massey College. (n.d.). The chapel royal. The Chapel Royal. https://www.masseycollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MASSEY-CHAPELArt-Booklet-v6-7inchspreads-web-email.pdf