Tiny Houses of Faith

Hidden in former theatres, storefronts, halls, and industrial buildings are stories of migration, adaptation, and faith that reveal a different side of Toronto's history.

Along the way, we'll visit sites including Fatih Mosque, a former Orange Order hall; Hoa Nghiem Temple, a repurposed warehouse built by Toronto's Vietnamese Buddhist community; the Turkish Canadian Islamic Trust, housed in a former cinema and lesbian bar; and Shromani Sikh Sangat, Toronto's first gurdwara, established in a former grain store. Together, we'll explore how communities from Turkey, Vietnam, Pakistan, Greece, and India found ways to create spiritual homes in the city.

About the Tour Leader

Ridwan Bashir is an Emerging Historian at Heritage Toronto and an MA History student at Western University. Her research focuses on migration and ethnic relations, examining how immigrant communities repurpose urban spaces to build community life in Canada.

Start Point: Fatih Mosque (182 Rhodes Ave)

Our staff and volunteers will be at the tour's starting location 30 minutes prior to each tour. Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the tour to allow time for check-in. Feel free to call us at (647) 542-3450 if you are having trouble finding the start location.

End Point: Shromani Sikh Sangat (269 Pape Ave)

Length of Tour: Approximately 90 minutes

Distance and Terrain: This tour is approximately 2.5 kilometres in distance and takes place predominantly on paved city sidewalks and streets.

Ticket Price and Registration: This tour is provided for $8.00/person. The total cost is $10.05 (includes a $2.05 transaction fee). Please note that space is limited on our tours. You may not be able to join a tour group if you have not registered ahead of time. Cash cannot be accepted onsite.

This tour uses individual audio headsets. All registered participants will be provided with an individual headset that will allow you to hear the tour guide throughout the tour.