A Brief History...
Late in 1939, several sites had been investigated on which to build a new Catholic church in Etobicoke. One Location was in the Silver Birches subdivision at the north-east corner of Bloor Street and Montgomery Road across the street from a market garden where there is now an automobile dealership.
In December, the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Toronto completed negotiations to acquire five lots on the south side of Bloor Street between Cliveden Avenue and Brentwood Road South. The lots, ranging in price from $1,500. to $3,000. each, formed a total parcel of land in excess of one acre. Part of the corner lot at Brentwood was later severed.
On March 26, 1940, Archbishop McGuigan announced the formation of a new parish in Etobicoke. 
The limits of this parish were to be decided, affecting as they would the then existing boundaries of St. James, St. Leo’s in Mimico and St. Patrick’s in Dixie. Reverend Gregory F. Kelly, rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral, was designated pastor of the new parish in formation. There was a known nucleus of 60 families.
From the previous November, Father Kelly had been working with James H. Haffa, K.S.G., M.R.A.I.C., who prepared architectural renderings for a new church. To quote from Mr. Haffa’s writings:
“To me there are only three styles of architecture - Greek or Architecture of the lintel; Romanesque or Architecture of the round arch; and Gothic, or Architecture of the Gable…”
“Romanesque falls into two great branches - Eastern and Western, or Byzantine and Lombardic…”
“We chose the Lombardy style…"
“The dimensions of the church overall are approximately 75 x 139…built of selected Credit Valley stone…all the cut stone trim is of selected Indiana limestone…”
“The main floor of the nave is slightly disked or sloped affording a better view of the sanctuary. The entire floor throughout is of terrazo…”
“The main ceiling over the nave is 36 feet above floor level…”
“The auditorium (church hall) is capable of seating approximately 900 persons (the church up to 550).”
“The adjoining rectory...has been designed in a simple manner to provide…accommodation for the pastor and an assistant curate.”
The church interior was to be simple. A blue curtain was to be raised behind the mail altar; plain Stations of the Cross would be used, plaster walls were to be painted in soft cream and gold to blend with the gold upper ceiling and the pews would be oak finished.
A notable exterior feature of the church edifice was to be its blue roof.
Father Kelly had gained a reputation for being a good administrator. With the plans for “Our Mother of Sorrows” Church in hand, the limit to which the Archdiocese would commit incurring debt for construction was $40,000. Father Kelly took responsibility for assuming the remaining obligations.
In April 1940, a permit was issued by the Ontario Department of Highways to allow the building of a Catholic Church on the appropriate properties on the south side of Bloor Street West - Highway 5 in the township of Etobicoke. The church would have an approximate value of $100,000.
In the same month, a second permit was issued to allow for the construction of a rectory valued at $10,000. which was to be 60 feet from the south side of the highway.
The general contractor was M. J. Callahan. It was, of course, wartime so it is of interest to note that the steel used in the church's construction was the last allocated for non-war use in the Toronto region.
As for the name of the church, both “Our Mother of Sorrows” and “Our Lady of Sorrows” had been suggested. Father Kelly canvassed his new parishioners and the latter was selected.
MORE TO COME!