Series 9 - Architectural records

Presbyteries in the United Church of Canada are courts of the Church within geographical boundaries made up of a number of Pastoral Charges. Presbytery membership consists of ordained ministers of the Charges within the Presbytery, United Church lay persons, and corresponding members. A grouping of Presbyteries within a larger geographical area make up a Conference, a higher court of the Church. The functions of the Presbytery include: overseeing Pastoral Charges within its bounds, including the designation of new Charges; receiving and disposing of petitions and appeals from lower governing bodies or courts; transmitting the above to higher bodies or courts; licensing lay persons recommended after examination; overseeing education of students looking forward to ministry and supervision of members of the Order of Ministry within its bounds. Toronto Area Presbytery was established in 1971 following the amalgamation of Toronto Centre and Toronto East Presbyteries within the boundaries of Toronto Conference; it was discontinued in 1986 when Toronto South Presbytery, Toronto Scarborough Presbytery and Toronto Don Valley Presbytery were formed