Nathan Phillips Toronto’s first jewish mayor
A Visit to the Grave of Mayor Nathan Phillips — A Pioneer in Toronto Politics
On a walk through Holy Blossom Memorial Park in Scarborough, Ontario, I came across the final resting place of a man who helped reshape the face—and the spirit—of modern Toronto: Nathan Phillips, the city’s first Jewish mayor.
Born in Brockville, Ontario, Phillips was an active Progressive Conservative in his youth before pursuing a career in law. His love for politics eventually brought him to Toronto, where he made history as the city’s 53rd mayor, serving from 1955 to 1962.
At a time when Toronto’s political leadership had been exclusively Protestant and heavily influenced by the Orange Order, Phillips’ election was groundbreaking. His rise shattered longstanding barriers in civic life and signaled a more inclusive future for Canada’s largest city.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip and Mayor Nathan Phillips at the Grenadier restaurant in High Park on June 29th, 1959.
But Nathan Phillips wasn’t only a political trailblazer—he was a visionary. He is best remembered for championing the construction of Toronto’s New City Hall, a bold departure from the conservative architecture that had dominated the city’s skyline. Phillips believed Toronto deserved a modern, progressive look, and thanks to his advocacy, the city welcomed Finnish architect Viljo Revell’s avant-garde design. Today, the building’s twin curved towers and Henry Moore’s iconic sculpture remain symbols of Toronto’s global outlook and creative spirit.
City Hall architect Viljo Revell asked British sculptor Henry Moore to create a piece that would match the curved, modern lines of the new civic building.
Phillips passed away in Toronto on January 7, 1976, at the age of 83. In tribute to his many contributions, the grand plaza in front of City Hall was named Nathan Phillips Square—a public space that has become the civic heart of the city.
From concerts and community rallies to historic events like the 1972 Team Canada celebration, the 2019 Toronto Raptors Championship Parade, and even a stop by national hero Terry Fox, Nathan Phillips Square continues to be a gathering place for all Torontonians—a fitting legacy for a man who worked to make Toronto a more open, diverse, and forward-looking city.
1892-1976
Nathan Phillips and his wife 1960.
