Orillia Presbyterian Church (St. Andrew’s) was established in 1851.  The original building was erected the following year and was enlarged twice.  In 1889, it was taken down to make way for the present church building, with a sanctuary to seat 1,000 (currently seats 850).   The North East wing comprising the Sunday School Auditorium and Fellowship Hall area was added in 1914.

In 1983, the building was designated a Heritage Building in the Province of Ontario.  A brief excerpt from the architectural summary by LACAC of the City of Orillia:
“Architecturally, the building is quite unique, boasting three towers, one of round turreted version.  Stone string courses and labels over doors and windows form a contrast to the red brick walls, which are also decorated with buttresses, and pointed gothic window and door openings.  The building employs a basic transept type plan and rests on a limestone foundation.  Decorative brickwork includes corbelling along the eaves and recessed stepping used at the doorways.

“Outstanding interior features of the church include ornately carved woodwork, stained and leaded glass, a decorative iron railing around the balcony, and a beautiful raised choir loft.”

A “Tour” of the Building

LOWER LEVEL
Ground Floor Entrance.  This level includes:

• The Coffee House, which is used by several community organizations
• Coffee House Kitchen
• Former recreation centre, used for Rummage sales
• Custodian’s room
• Furnace room
• Elevator to the upper floors (installed in 1991)

MAIN FLOOR
The entrance from Peter Street leads to the Welcome Centre with seating by the fireplace and photographs of previous ministers on the wall:

• Secretary/Bookkeeper’s office
• Fellowship Hall, the scene of many dinners, receptions, coffee hours
• Welcome Centre, for information on upcoming events
• Minister’s office
• Library and photocopy room
• Church School Auditorium, with classrooms off the auditorium and office of the Director of Young Family ministries;   with children’s activities and games on the upper level
• Kitchen
• Washrooms

SANCTUARY

• The original pulpit, just inside the ramp door, was restored in 1950.  On it is the "In Remembrance"
  book acknowledging many gifts received through the years.
• Plaques around the sanctuary walls honour the memory of many members and ministers who contributed greatly to our congregation.
• The pulpit is a memorial to the Rev. John Gray, MA, DD, first minister of the church who was associated with OPC (St. Andrew’s) for 62 years (1851-1913).
• The 4 Manual Casavant Organ was installed in 1921 in the substantially enlarged organ chamber, with most of the 1893 Warren instrument being moved to the south-east tower to become the Echo division.  The front façade, still a stop of the Pedal division, is from 1893.  A fire in 1985 destroyed the Echo organ, and a year later, Casavant installed a new Echo instrument.  The Main organ was rebuilt and enlarged from 1995-97 by Orgues Létourneau, with the entire instrument containing over 5,300 pipes over nine divisions.  This organ ranks among the 15 largest Great Organs of Canada.
• The recently installed audio visual system is operated from a control desk at the back of the sanctuary.
• The balcony, showing the beauty of the sanctuary, is reached by a circular stairway in the south west. entrance or a stairway in the south east. entrance
• The Bell Tower S.E. entrance houses the Centennial Carillon, installed in 1967, which was modernized in 2002 to a digital system, chiming the hours at noon and 5PM and playing familiar hymns.

TOP FLOOR

• Office of Pastoral Care Minister and Session Clerk
• Organist’s office, with a large supply of choir music
• The Parlour
• Kitchen, to provide facilities for light refreshments
• Sanctuary Choir room, accommodates choir gowns
• St. Andrew’s Room – a large meeting room
• Session meeting room, the Upper Room, with photographs of past elders on the walls
• Descending the stairs, on the first landing - the Church school office and storage

THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING, THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE

Some memorable events…
1832  First settlers arrive (Ojibway Indians at Orillia)
1834  Mrs. James Dallas started Sabbath School
1851  Formation of congregation. Rev. John Gray, M.A. first minister
1852  Original Church was built - the first church building in Orillia
1856  The Female Assoc. organized, became Ladies’ Aid, then St. Andrew’s Guild, now Ladies Auxiliary
1865  First organ placed in church
1886  Women’s Missionary Society was formed
1889  Present Church opened
1893  Pipe Organ installed
1914  New Sabbath School building opened
1921  Memorial Organ dedicated, one of the largest in Canada
1937  Sanctuary redecorated with some modifications to the Choir and Pulpit area, new Communion table & new electric light system
1967  25 bell Carillon installed, Coffee House and Recreation Centre opened
1977  Major fire in the N.E. wing, reopened September 1978
1980  New entrance ramp to the Sanctuary installed
1983  Church designated a Heritage Building in Ontario
1985  S.E. Tower struck by lightning, Echo Organ destroyed, extensive damage to sanctuary
1986  Sanctuary restored, new Echo Organ dedicated
1991  Elevator installed, Coffee House renovations
1994-7  Building and Organ restoration
2002  Schulmerich Carillon Bells digital system installed
2005  Sanctuary multi-media system installed in the church; main kitchen renovated
2006  Main kitchen renovated and two new heating plants
2008  New washrooms on main floor, stage lighting in the sanctuary and new light fixtures and audio system in the Fellowship Hall
2009  Library window installed
2009 New youth groups launched
2010  Present Minister Rev. Karen Horst arrived
2010  Seniors’ Centre launched
2011  160th Anniversary Celebrations
2011  Mission relationship with James Village, Malawi Africa established
2012  Portions of entire roof repaired and completely shingled over-all
2013  Ministry with University/ College students launched