1891

The Beginning

A young student of Christian Science by the name of Emily Shanklin began the public practice of spiritual healing in Toronto. Two years later, in 1893, another young woman by the name of Daisette Stocking came from Cleveland to receive treatment from her. She was healed; and remained in Toronto to pursue the public practice of Christian Science healing. Later that same year, the two moved to a house at 317 Jarvis Street. As part of their practice, they began taking occasional patients who were receiving Christian Science treatment and also needed nursing care.

A year or two later, a young Presbyterian minister who had taken up the study of Christian Science became a frequent visitor to the home. Among other things, William P. Mackenzie began to refer to the house on Jarvis Street as “Sharon.” The plain of Sharon is referred to in the Bible (Isaiah 65:10) as a place of rest, renewal, and healing, and is the title of Mackenzie’s poem.

1953

A Vision Renewed

Two Toronto practitioners – Florence Hamilton and Ethel Goss – begin holding informal meetings to discuss the idea of establising a Christian Science “nursing home.” One of these ladies suggested the name “Sharon House” for the new facility.

1968

Sharon House Opens

By the end of the year, Sharon House Corporation had been founded and registered as a charitable organization, and a house had been purchased at 173 Lyndhurst Ave. With Margaret Sorby as the head nurse, Sharon House began operation.

This brick house was situated in a neighbourhood of gracious homes, with a big front yard and a lovely garden overlooking a ravine at the rear. The original four bedrooms were expanded to six guest rooms, and it provided a third floor apartment for the head nurse, with offices in the basement. However, when zoning difficulties arose in 1979 it was necessary to find a more appropriate location.

1979

Growing to Meet the Need

Another house was purchased at 2133 Bloor Street West and a building fund was announced. This was to be considered a temporary home and a goal was set for building a new facility in five years. The five-year time frame eventually stretched to over 20 years.

In 1991, the Sharon House Board of Directors undertook a fundamental rethinking of its purpose, and a new vision began to emerge.

Concurrent with this, several large donations were made, and in 1996 the search for a new location began anew. After seven months, two adjacent properties came on the market in an ideal location, and were purchased.

A design for a gracious and efficient seven-room facility was completed by architect Craig Goodman, and an existing bungalow was renovated to provide office space.

2000

A New Home

In August of 2000, the purpose-built residence at 24 Montgomery Road opened its doors to patients and guests.

This was the culmination of a long-held dream: that members of the Christian Science community in eastern Canada could have a place ideally suited to support the work of the Christian Science nurse, and the efforts of individuals to achieve healing through radical reliance on Christian Science treatment. For the first time, Sharon House was able to provide Rest & Study accommodation in comfortable rooms separate from the nursing area.

In mid-2010, facing financial difficulties, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to lay off the nursing staff and establish a nurse-rental mode of operation. This approach enables a Christian Science nurse to rent the facility for a patient in need.

Present

Sharon House Today

More than a century after Christian Science nursing services were offered in a modest Toronto home, Sharon House continues to support individuals relying on Christian Science for healing. While much has changed, the purpose remains the same: to provide a supportive environment where Christian Science nursing is practiced with skill, compassion, and dignity.

Today, Sharon House serves the Christian Science community across Canada, welcoming guests seeking nursing care as well as those desiring a quiet Rest & Study stay for prayer, spiritual renewal, and reflection.