杏吧原创

Dear Members of the 杏吧原创 Community:

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Dr. Gerald Robinson, who passed away on December 4, 2024.

Dr. Robinson, trained as an architect and engineer, was a liturgical consultant and taught a course for the Faculty of Divinity for many years on the spiritual foundation for the design of places of worship鈥�Shaping Space for Worship. He last taught this course in the winter of 2020.

鈥淚mmediately upon meeting Gerald after I was appointed Dean of Divinity, I could not help but be struck by his passion for teaching for discussing the nature of spaced space. His enthusiasm for this topic radiated out of him, catching up with many in his path, including the students in his classroom. His energy and gentle presence will be greatly missed,鈥� said The Rev. Dr. Christopher Brittain, Dean of the Faculty of Divinity and Margaret E. Fleck Chair in Anglican Studies.

鈥淚t was an outstanding course [Shaping Space for Worship]. If nothing else a fair few people had the idea of space as part of worship and liturgy introduced to them and their thinking. That alone was quite amazing,鈥� one of his former students shared.

Dr. Robinson designed and shaped several churches according to these design principles, including St. George the Martyr in Toronto. His best-known work in Canada is the Colonnade on Bloor Street. In 2000, he received the Order of Da Vinci, a lifetime achievement award from the Ontario Association of Architects. More information about his life鈥檚 work and contributions to teaching and research can be found on .

At the college, he was also involved with the renovations to choir loft and church furnishings in the Trinity Chapel, and with the renovations of the Divinity Common Room. Prior to the pandemic, he was often seen on campus as part of the Friday Morning Group that worshipped in the Trinity Chapel and socialized in the DCR. The photo above was taken in September 2019.

鈥淒r. Robinson has left a lasting legacy in the places and spaces he designed, and with the people he worked with and taught at Trinity and beyond. On behalf of the College, we send our condolences to his family, colleagues, former students and friends,鈥� said Professor Nicholas Terpstra, Provost & Vice-Chancellor.

Categories: In Memoriam