Who We Are

St. Nick’s has been serving and praying with Birch Cliff for more than 100 years. The community started worshipping in 1912 in a local stable. Read more about our history.

Responding to God’s call, we seek to know Christ and to make him known in worship, fellowship and service to his world. What does that mean? It means we’re a community serving and praying with our neighbours, and inviting people into relationship with God’s love and joy, known in Jesus Christ.

We’re part of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, which includes more than 200 church communities in the GTA and beyond.

The Rev. Andrew MacDonald

Incumbent (Parish Priest)

Father Andrew joined St. Nick’s in May 2021. He studied Divinity at Trinity College after obtaining a Bachelor of Music degree from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.

Andrew has served as priest-in-charge at the parishes of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Luke’s, Lakeview, and as associate priest at St. James Cathedral and the parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Toronto. He has also served as the Assistant Chaplain at the Junior School of Havergal College.

Originally from Oshawa, Andrew brings to his ministry a passion for baseball, a deep love of choral music, and a keen interest in the intersection of faith and popular culture – with a specific focus on the theology of The Simpsons.

He is married to Martha Holmen, the communications consultant for the Diocese
of Toronto. Together, they have a young daughter, Beatrice, and a middle-aged cat, Maisie.

When not busy in ministry, Andrew is an avid cyclist, photographer and devotee of the music of James Taylor.

You can get in touch with him at fr.andrew@stnicholasbirchcliff.com.

The Rev. Joan Wilson

Honorary Assistant

Rev. Joan joined the ministry team at St. Nick’s, her home parish, in May 2022. Joan grew up in the Anglican tradition. Her journey as an active disciple of Christ began in the year 2000 when her then young son became a torchbearer at St. Nick’s. She asked, “Can I serve too?” The answer was “Yes.”

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2010 led her to want to further explore her understanding of Christian faith and call to ministry. Soon after, she began her Divinity degree and retired from corporate life. Joan was ordained a transitional deacon in 2016 and a priest in 2017.

Joan served as Assistant Curate at St. Margaret in-the-Pines and Priest-in-Charge of St. David, Donlands and St. Andrew, Japanese. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, a Master of Business Administration from York University and a Master of Divinity from Trinity College (Toronto).

Joan enjoys living by the Scarborough Bluffs, spending time with family and friends and engaging in various active aging activities. In the words of St. Paul, she seeks to serve with “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.” (Col. 3:12)

You can get in touch with Joan through the church office.

Christine Hanson

Parish Musician

Christine leads our music on Sundays at 10:30 and at other special services. She also directs our volunteer choir.

You can get in touch with Christine at christine@stnicholasbirchcliff.com.

Cheryle Pollock, RN

Faith Community Nurse

Cheryle started her nursing career at a rural hospital and served for more than 30 years as the camp nurse for Moorlands Camp, where she experienced the profound impact nature can have on a person's health in mind, body and spirit. Cheryle has been St. Nick's volunteer faith community nurse for 10 years. She provides nursing consultation, education and blood pressure clinics to members of the congregation and guests at our outreach lunch program.

You can get in touch with Cheryle at parishnurse@stnicholasbirchcliff.com.