United Church in Canada

The United Church of Canada is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada. We minister to over 2 million people in about 3,000 congregations across the country. Ours is a rich history closely entwined with the development of Canada itself.

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The United Church was inaugurated on June 10, 1925 in Toronto, Ontario, when the Methodist Church, Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church of Canada entered into an organic union. Joining as well was the small General Council of Union Churches, centred largely in Western Canada. It was the first union of churches in the world to cross historical denominational lines and hence received international acclaim. Impetus for the union arose out of the concerns for serving the vast Canadian northwest and in the desire for better overseas mission. Each of the uniting churches, however, had a long history prior to 1925.

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The founders of this church believed that ours is a living faith, a faith that is expressed not only in ministry, but also in mission in and with the world. Some of the elements of social justice that are supported are: Health Care: through participation in the Canadian Health Coalition in supporting universal access to health care, fair pricing and access to prescription drugs, and continuing care for all; Racial justice: addressing racism within and beyond the church as a system of oppression that includes some while conferring privilege on others; and the Truth and Reconciliation commission in response to the legacy of Indian residential Schools.

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Website: www.united-church.ca