Serra House Prepares for its Grand Re-Opening
The summer is often a quiet time at St. Augustine’s Seminary, especially after the academic year comes to an end. But this summer, there is big news happening at the Seminary’s downtown residence – Serra House.
While an official date has yet to be set, Serra House is expected to officially open its brand-new residence this summer.
“I'm hoping that some of us will be able to move in at the end of June or early July with an official opening late in August or early September,” says Fr. Scott Birchall, Director of Philosophy Formation (Serra House). “It is very exciting.”
When finished, the downtown location will accommodate seminarians who are in the initial stage of formation (discipleship stage – philosophy and undergraduate studies), “all while providing a range of modern amenities to account for growing seminarian needs,” Fr. Birchall adds.
Established in 1983 as a discernment residence in the heart of downtown Toronto, Serra House was brought under the umbrella of St. Augustine's Seminary in 2014 to provide more formality to the vocation and discernment process for men undertaking basic degrees or philosophical studies at local universities. All men residing at Serra House are considered full seminarians and receive a complete formation program dedicated to the diocesan priesthood.
The original building on St. George Street was constructed in 1904. By 2017, much of the house had deteriorated and initial renovations began. Seminarians there at the time all relocated to the main Seminary on Kingston Road. By 2019, shovels went in the ground to begin construction of the new four-story addition to the rear of the house.
“Covid has caused some delays in the construction process, but we are nearing completion,” says Fr Birchall.
The newly expanded building will more than double the size of the original facility, while restorations have modernized the seminarian’s rooms (including en-suite bathrooms). There has also been the addition of a library, improved common space and kitchen space, as well as a new, larger, chapel.
“The unique location and the smaller design of Serra House are meant to foster a greater sense of fraternity and community life,” Fr. Birchall explains. “At this location, we focus on the discipleship phase of formation, emphasizing the importance of human formation. For that, this smaller location is ideal. Its location downtown is also ideal for seminarians who are also working on an undergraduate degree as we are within a short distance of all local universities and colleges.”
Fr. Birchall says after completing their time at Serra House, “we find that seminarians are better prepared for theological studies, advanced spiritual formation, and fostering priestly fraternity.”
He says the new building is also future-proofed with room for classrooms to bring in guest speakers, the ability to hold retreats at the facility as well as technologically set up to host online learning.
“It’s really geared to meet the needs of the Seminary today as well as the Seminary and the Diocese at large moving forward.”
To that end, once the new Serra House is officially opened, the Archdiocese’s Office of Vocations will also be moving in, forming a perfect symmetry between those in the early stages of formation at Serra House with those who are exploring whether they are being called to the priesthood.
We invite you to consider supporting the Serra House Pre-Theology Residence Restoration Project. Naming opportunities are available.
Ground-breaking ceremony 2019