Ingrid Sepp Jaenes FB
The Estonian landmark in Toronto, The first modern church in Toronto. It was designed by the Estonian architect Mihkel (Michael) Bach, who greatly influenced many future Canadian architects as a prof at U of T.
After Peetri kirik was completed many new churches appeared all over the city and Canada with a similar design. Would be interesting to have a separate site to post all of these.
The question is whether Estonians can come together as a community and reinvent Peetri kirik. Can we engage people who have experience from work in their local Canadian communities? Do we have young members who are studying in fields or graduates from programmes who could get practical work experience reinventing the church community? There are many out there who would like to be involved with community outreach work in the Estonian community.
I would love to see future generations benefiting from having Peetri kirik. These should include those whose ancestors gave us this incredible gift.
On my many visits and stays to Northern Europe I have always been envious of all of the historical buildings they have around them. It really helps to keep everyone grounded and especially the young. It really helps to make people think of their minute role in this world and the history of life. In modern cities there is always the threat that people overvalue their individual importance, their role, and their significance in local communities and in the entire world.
Peetri kirik has always been a valuable reminder of where we came from and who was here before us. In this way Peetri kirik actually plays a very important role as a visible and physical reminder of our place as Estonians and Canadian-Estonians here in Toronto. I cannot imagine having such a strong Estonian pride growing up and living in Toronto without Peetri kirik.
In addition, we have a small cemetery beside this church for many of the builders of this church and its most loyal members.
An entire scholarly book should be written about this church.
Eesti maamärk Torontos, esimene kaasaegne kirik Torontos. Selle kujundas Eesti arhitekt Mihkel (Michael) Bach, kes mõjutas väga paljusid tulevasi Kanada arhitekte T-s profina.
Pärast Peetri Kiriku valmimist ilmusid paljud uued kirikud üle linna ja Kanada sarnase kujundusega. Oleks huvitav, kui oleks eraldi sait, kuhu need kõik postitada.
Tekib küsimus, kas eestlased saavad kogukonnana kokku tulla ja Peetri kiriku uuesti leiutada. Kas saame kaasata inimesi, kellel on kogemusi tööst nende kohalikes Kanada kogukondades? Kas meil on erialadel õppivaid noorliikmeid või õppekavade lõpetajaid, kes saaksid praktilise töökogemuse kirikukogukonna taasleiutamisel? Neid on palju, kes tahaksid olla seotud kogukonna teavitustegevusega Eesti kogukonnas.
Tahaks näha tulevasi põlvkondi Peetri kiriku omamisest kasu saamas. Need peaksid hõlmama neid, kelle esivanemad meile selle imelise kingituse tegid.
Oma paljudel visiitidel ja viibides Põhja-Euroopasse olen alati olnud kade kõigi nende ümber olevate ajalooliste hoonete suhtes. See tõesti aitab hoida kõiki koduarestis ja eriti noori. See aitab tõesti panna inimesi mõtlema oma minutilisele rollile selles maailmas ja eluajaloos. Kaasaegsetes linnades on alati oht, et inimesed hindavad üle nende individuaalset tähtsust, rolli ja tähtsust kohalikes kogukondades ja kogu maailmas.
Peetri Kirik on alati olnud väärtuslik meenutus sellest, kust me pärit oleme ja kes siin enne meid olid. Sel viisil mängib Peetri Kirik tegelikult väga olulist rolli nähtava ja füüsilise meeldetuletusena meie kohast eestlaste ja kanadalase-eestlastena siin Torontos. Ma ei suuda ette kujutada, et mul on nii tugev Eesti uhkus kasvamas ja elamas Torontos ilma Peetri Kirikuta.
Lisaks on meil selle kiriku kõrval väike surnuaed paljudele selle kiriku ehitajatele ja selle kõige ustavamatele liikmetele.
Sellest kirikust peaks kirjutama terve õpetliku raamatu.
