A symbol of the Estonian diaspora in danger of disappearing - G&M

In her inimitable style, Globe and Mail society columnist Zena Cherry described the Estonian-Finnish wedding of Helvi Vickholm and Jaak Iir on June 16, 1967. But, along with the usual anecdotes and noting of attendees, Ms. Cherry dedicated about a quarter of her allotted ink to the church, St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran, which she opined would “add to any sightseeing tour of the city.

“It is unique and beautiful,” she continued, “and according to architect Michael Bach is still the only structure of its kind in Canada, perhaps in North America. There is no ridge at the peak of the roof; instead, the rafters criss-cross to hold it together. The structure is completely exposed and the rafters form the architectural pattern; the roof flows down to form the walls.”