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St. Francis Centre

Located in the heart of Pickering Village, the St. Francis Centre is Ajax’s premier destination for arts, culture, and heritage.

Originally constructed in 1871, and retrofitted in 2011, this designated heritage building marries historic architecture with modern design to create a state-of-the-art performance venue for Ajax residents and visitors.

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An empty theatre with rows of seats facing a stage, overhead lighting, and stained glass windows on the side walls.

Box Office and Tickets

The St. Francis Centre is your local entertainment destination for concerts, variety shows, movie screenings, family programming, and more. Check back here regularly for what’s new, show and event information, movie trailers and ticket prices.

Please note: We do not sell tickets for Ajax Community Theatre shows. Please visit their website by clicking here for more information.

Season Guide
Purchase tickets for St. Francis Centre shows online
Glass entrance to a brick building with potted plants on either side and a sign reading "Ajax Public Library".

Group Tickets

Ticket purchases of 10 or more tickets will receive a group discount of 10%.

Group tickets must be purchased at the same time in order to receive the discount. Please call the St. Francis Centre Box Office* at 905-619-2529, ext. 2787 (ARTS), or speak with a Customer Service Representative to purchase your Group Tickets.

*open Tuesdays 2:30pm – 5:30pm and Thursdays 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Other Locations to Purchase Tickets

In Person at a Ticket Outlet

St. Francis Centre Box Office

78 Church Street South

Ajax Community Centre

75 Centennial Road

McLean Community Centre

95 Magill Drive

Audley Recreation Centre

1955 Audley Road North

Seating and Accessibility

The main floor of the St. Francis Centre is fully accessible with the following features:

  • Accessible automatic doors – front entrance, washrooms, and crush lobby area (bar area and entrance to theatre main hall).
  • Accessible seating is available in the front row of the theatre main hall. Please call the St. Francis Centre Box Office at 905-619-2529, ext. 2787 (ARTS) to inform staff that accessible seating is required. Please note that due to Fire Code Regulations, every patron and accompanying support person attending a performance or event, regardless of age, must hold a valid ticket to gain admission to a performance. Admission prices will be charged for both attendees based on regular ticket prices.
  • Accessible lift from theatre main hall floor to stage.
  • Assisted Listening System

Terms and Conditions

All sales are final; there are no refunds or exchanges. All ticket prices listed are in Canadian funds and tickets must be paid in full at the time of purchase. Please note that all tickets purchased online are subject to a service charge that may vary from event to event.

A Ticket is a Revocable License to Attend a Specific Performance

The holder of a valid ticket is admitted to the theatre on the condition that the holder agrees, and by use of the ticket does so agree in favour of the Presenters and Theatre Owners, to the following terms and conditions of ticket purchase and sale set out herein. Any violation of these terms entitles the Town of Ajax to, as applicable, seize or cancel the ticket, refuse admission and/or expel a ticket holder, in each case without payment of any refund or other compensation. The ticket is a personal, revocable license. Lost, stolen or destroyed tickets may not be honoured.

Ticket Reseller and Counterfeit Warning

Tickets may not be resold or offered for resale by anyone without the permission of the Town of Ajax and may not be resold at a price exceeding their face value at any time. Tickets may not be used for advertising, trade or promotional purposes without the written permission of the Town of Ajax. Tickets obtained from any source other than Town of Ajax ticket outlets, the St. Francis Centre website, or any authorized agents, may be lost, stolen or counterfeit tickets and may not be honoured.

Due to the nature of live performance and the presenting field, all artists, dates, venue, prices, and programs are subject to change. The Town of Ajax does not guarantee that you will be satisfied with the performance, or that it will be free of technical difficulties or that any particular cast member will be performing.

The ticketholder voluntarily assumes all risk and danger of personal injury and hazards arising from, or related in any way to the performance, whether occurring at the theatre prior to, during, or after the performance, and releases the Town of Ajax from all liability, unless caused by the (gross) negligence or willful misconduct of the Town of Ajax.

In the event a performance is cancelled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, the Town of Ajax will attempt to contact the purchaser to inform them of the status of the performance purchased, and to inform them of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

The Town of Ajax is committed to honouring its performance schedule. All performances proceed as scheduled despite the weather conditions and/or traffic delays. If travelling to the theatre in inclement weather, please allow plenty of extra time. Make sure to check current road conditions and public transit delays and updates. We regret that tickets not used due to inclement weather, traffic delays, or public transit disruptions cannot be refunded or exchanged. If an artist is not able to perform due to the weather and a performance is cancelled for any reason, the Town of Ajax will post a notice on the St. Francis Centre website and will attempt to notify ticket holders regarding refund options and/or alternate dates if the show is rescheduled.

  • Be on time. It shows respect for the performers on stage and your fellow theatre-goers.
  • Refrain from wearing strong perfumes, colognes, hair sprays, and body scents that may disturb or cause allergic reactions to other patrons
  • Go to the restroom before you sit down, or at intermission. It can be disruptive to persons siting in your row as well as the performers on stage. If you must exit the theatre’s main hall during a performance, please wait for an appropriate break in the action.
  • Turn off or silence your cell phone or any electronic devices, as soon as you sit down, for the entire duration of the performance.
  • Do not bring any outside food or drink into the theatre. Although there are a variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase on site, and they can be brought into the theatre’s main hall, please be conscious of sounds, such as wrappers and crunching noises, that may disrupt the performance.
  • Respect the shared space. Refrain from talking (even whispering), fidgeting, or any other activity that disrupts the performance.
  • Pay attention to all announcements and respect the rules of the theatre. They are designed with your safety and enjoyment in mind.
  • Photography and videography are strictly prohibited unless permission is provided by the performer.
  • Participate in the performance by sharing your laughter, tears, and applause.

Some shows may contain themes, language, and/or content intended for mature audiences. While the St. Francis Centre will take reasonable efforts to provide audience warnings and disclaimers, ticketholders and their guests are responsible for determining whether show content is appropriate for them and their guests. No refunds will be granted due to content audiences may find objectionable or disturbing.

Outside food and drink are not permitted in the theatre.

A variety of snacks and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available for purchase onsite and are allowed in the theatre and the seating unit. Please help us keep our seating unit and theatre clean by ensuring that you gather any garbage or recyclables and place them in the bins provided. If food or beverages are not allowed in the theatre for a particular reason, there will be signage indicating this at the theatre.

Rent the St. Francis Centre

Brick church spire with a cross on top against a clear blue sky.

With over 3,400 sq. ft. of usable reception/theatre/meeting space, and features that include a stage, retractable theatre seating for 150, dressing rooms, a warming kitchen, professional theatre lighting, sound, and audio-visual capabilities…the possibilities are endless! The Ontario Power Generation Atrium is the perfect space for hosting receptions, silent auctions, and displays, while the Ajax Downs Racetrack Refreshment Counter provides the space to serve refreshments for any event. We are also proud to have a stunning Heintzman Concert Grand Piano available for rent (generously provided in part by Robert Lowrey Piano Experts).

The St. Francis Centre makes the perfect location for unique and intimate weddings and celebrations, community and cultural events, corporate meetings, workshops and lectures, fundraisers, concerts, corporate training sessions, product launches, recitals, and more!

Take a virtual tour

Your rental includes the use of the entire building with the exception of the Box Office, the Audio Visual Booth, and Town of Ajax space.

Specific areas/items included with your rental include:

Ontario Power Generation Atrium – glass atrium lobby with accessible washrooms.

  • 1 coat rack with hangers
  • Stage (piano remains on stage for all rentals, however, you may request to have it moved to the backstage area or stage wings if needed).
    • Video screen
    • White cyclorama stage curtain (separating main stage from rear stage)
    • Black stage curtain (separating main stage from rear stage)
    • Use of 150 occupancy theatre seating or you may request the theatre seating unit to be retracted to allow for banquet-style seating with tables and chairs.
      • 10 – 5’ (60”) round tables
      • 5 – 8’ (96”) rectangular tables
      • 2 – 6’ (72”) rectangular tables
      • Folding chairs
      • Ajax Downs Refreshment Counter
      • Caterer’s kitchen (basement) with large refrigerator, hot hold appliance, microwave, sink, and preparation space.
      • 2 dressing rooms (basement) with 5 chairs in each
      • 2 separate dressing room washrooms (basement)
      • 4 lockers for personal storage – must provide own lock (basement)

Fees

Individual/Business/Commercial Schedule

Day Duration Fee Non-Resident Fee
Monday – Thursday 4 hours $384.10 $25.50
Friday – Sunday 4 hours $571.20 $25.50
Monday – Thursday 8 hours $758.30 $25.50
Friday – Sunday 8 hours $1,132.70 $25.50
Monday – Sunday additional hourly fee 1 hour $116.10  

Community Group/Not-for-Profit Rate Schedule

Day Duration Fee Non-Resident Fee
Monday – Thursday 4 hours $192.30 $25.50
Friday – Sunday 4 hours $285.70 $25.50
Monday – Thursday 8 hours $389.20 $25.50
Friday – Sunday 8 hours $566.50 $25.50
Monday – Sunday additional hourly fee 1 hour $63.40  

Additional Fees

Audio Visual (AV) Technician $36.00 per hour
Piano Rental (includes $40.00 rental fee and $145 piano tuning fee) $185.00 per occurrence

Facility Rental Policies

All Town of Ajax Facility Rentals are subject to the applicable terms and conditions agreed by the Permit Holder and all subsequent facility users must abide by them. Violations or refusal by the Permit Holder/Users to adhere to these Facility Terms and Conditions may result in cancellation of a permit and/or refusal to grant any future rental permits for the use of Town of Ajax Facilities.

Complete Rental Terms and Conditions will be provided at time of confirmed rental.

Some general rental rules to consider:

  • Permit start and end times include any set-up and clean-up done by the permit holder.
  • Permit covers the indoor space only.
  • Permit holder must be a minimum of 18 years of age and is responsible for all persons admitted/attending the rental.
  • Permit holder is responsible for leaving the facility in the condition they found it.
  • Confetti, confetti canons, glitter, rice, silly string, are NOT permitted.

Jumping castles, ball pits, and other inflatable amusement structures are NOT permitted.

Cancellation Policy

The Town of Ajax reserves the right to cancel/refund or amend permits for the following COVID-19 instances:

  • Changes to Provincial, Regional, or Public Health COVID-19 regulations, measures, and requirements that may result in the review and cancellation of permits (i.e. changes to gathering sizes, physical distancing, etc.).
  • Limit or refuse use of a facility at the discretion of the Town’s Municipal Emergency Control Group and/or the Director of Recreation, Culture and Community Development.

Refunds will NOT be provided in the event of a COVID-19 positive case amongst the user/permit holder group.

St. Francis Centre Permit

All initial payments are non-refundable. Written requests for cancellation received less than 21 days prior to the rental date will only receive the insurance and music fees (SOCAN/Re:Sound) refunded.

Transfer Policy

A rental date, time, or location may be transferred once per permit to another date, time, or location based on availability and at a cost of $10.30 + HST Administrative Fee, with 21 days written notice. Transfers must be booked within a calendar year from the original date booked. The difference in fees as a result of the transfer, if any, will either be charged or refunded.

Permit Holders shall not assign or transfer their permit to another user whatsoever.

All functions/events booked in Town of Ajax facilities or on Town property require general liability insurance. Insurance fees are in addition to the facility rental fee and are required.

Rates vary and could depend on the type of event, length of time, number of attendees, whether alcohol is being served, etc., and the Town reserves the right to determine or amend the insurance requirements based on, but not limited to, risk assessment and event size.

An SOP is issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and is mandatory for all functions serving alcohol, including beer and wine.

Please refer to the MAP Planning Guide, which will be provided at the time of inquiry, for full details and all requirements related to serving alcohol in Town of Ajax facilities. For all AGCO functions, certified “Smart Serve” bartenders must be utilized. The bar must close no later than 1 a.m. according to the SOP.

Permit Holders for all functions and facility rentals using and/or playing music are required to pay Music Fees (SOCAN/Re:Sound) in addition to any other rental fees. SOCAN represents songwriters, lyric authors, composers, and music publishers, while Re:Sound represents performers who played on recordings and record companies that produced those recordings.

Music Fees are based on room capacity size and whether there is dancing or not.

Music Fees with Dancing
Room Capacity Charge
1 – 100 $62.64 + HST
101 – 300 $90.12 + HST
301 – 500 $187.91 + HST
Music Fees without Dancing
Room Capacity Charge
1 – 100 $31.31 + HST
101 – 300 $45.02 + HST
301 – 500 $93.95 + HST

Facility Booking Contact

For more information on permitting the St. Francis Centre for your next event, or to book an in-person tour, please contact:

Facility Booking Office

Address

Ajax Community Centre

75 Centennial Rd.

Phone

1-905-619-2529

Hours

Monday to Friday:

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday/Sunday:

Closed
Modern glass building with large windows, landscaped planters, and a concrete walkway in front on an overcast day.

St. Francis Centre History and Heritage

Originally constructed in 1871 by Henry Langley, the former St. Francis de Sales Church gives meaning to the name of the street on which it is situated (Church Street), and is an important symbol of the Irish immigrants that settled in the Pickering Village area in the 1800’s.

1830 to 1840

From 1830 to 1840, there was an influx of Irish Catholics to the area due to the potato famine in Ireland. At the time, Catholic families would have to travel to Toronto to attend St. Paul’s Basilica, because there was no Catholic church in the area. Eventually a small wooden frame church, known as St. Wilfrid’s, was built.

1847

in Pickering Township on Notion Road in 1847. The area had no resident priest, so it was still considered a mission.

1859 to 1860

When the parish of Duffin’s Creek was established in 1860, the first priest, Father Peter Laurent, wanted to build a new permanent church as opposed to using the wooden frame church of St. Wilfrid’s.

On December 27, 1859, he wrote a letter to Bishop De Charbonnel saying:

“We had a bee to draw stones from Duffin’s Creek for a Church and got enough to put a stone foundation under it and all without a coppers expense. Only from this poor flat purse, that I had to reduce very much to get some drink for my men otherwise they wouldn’t work.”

1868 to 1871

But by 1868, there was still no permanent building for parishioners to worship and though St. Wilfrid’s was falling apart, it was still being used. Finally, St. Wilfrid’s became St. Francis de Sales Parish in 1871 upon the completion of the new church. It was constructed by Father Francis Hayden and the local parishioners who contributed their labour and time towards this new formal place of worship. The total cost of construction was approximately $8,300.

1870's and 1880's

The building is an excellent example of High Victorian Gothic Church Architecture and is representative of the Picturesque Eclecticism of architectural design in the 1870’s and 1880’s. Unique features of the building include the distinctive octagonal church spire, which is covered with the original polychromatic slate, and the irreplaceable Gothic arched stained glass windows, which bear the names of some of the early founding families who donated them. The steeply pitched roof is marked by three rose coloured window dormers, which are very rare in a church and have the original decorative filigree ironwork at each peak.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3PB6xuTFW0?rel=0

Learn More and Stay Connected

Season Guide

Explore the 2026 St. Francis Centre Season Guide.

Sign-up for St. Francis Centre Updates

Sign-up for St. Francis Centre Updates

Listen to our season’s playlist on Spotify

Coming soon!

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather, create, perform, and celebrate, is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas. More specifically, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, signatories of the Gunshot Treaty of 1788, and the Williams Treaties of 1923. This land is, and will continue to be, home to the Indigenous Peoples. Let us acknowledge the mistakes and traumas of the past through authenticity, and support truth and reconciliation. Let us engage and celebrate Indigenous communities by being leaders of action in acknowledging the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations towards truth and reconciliation. Let us keep these principles close, as we move forward with kindness and respect as a community.