Westdale United Church
Westdale United Church is a United Church of Canada congregation that calls itself progressive and an affirming church for LGBTQIA2S+ people. It tries to follow Jesus in ways that are 'loving and compassionate', 'thoughtful and curious' and 'rooted in justice and care for the world'. It does not expect everyone to believe the same things, and its communion table is open to all.
Westdale United Church occupies the block bounded by King Street West, Paisley Avenue, North Oval and Sterling Street in Westdale. The City’s heritage inventory records that the newly formed congregation bought the site in March 1930, laid the cornerstone on 10 May 1930 and opened a first building, designed by Frederick Warren, that September. The Post Office let it choose any number up to 100 for its address, and it chose 99, for the lost sheep. Between 1946 and 1948 the church was doubled in length to a design by F. Bruce Brown of the Toronto firm Bruce Brown and Brisley, completing it in the Gothic Revival style. In the 1950s the congregation began filling its windows with stained glass by Robert McCausland Ltd., in a scheme that tells the story of the Bible from the Creation to the Resurrection.
The congregation describes itself as progressive and affirming, with a long record of advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Its minister, the Reverend Evan Smith, joined the staff in September 2022. Each month the church serves a soup lunch and gives grocery gift cards to more than 100 community members.
Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. from September to June, in person and livestreamed, with coffee at the back of the sanctuary from 10:00. In July and August the congregation shares its services with MacNeil Baptist Church and St. Cuthbert’s Presbyterian Church.
What to expect
Greeters with neon lanyards meet visitors and show them the welcome table at the back of the sanctuary, and coffee is served at the back from 10:00. Worship uses inclusive language for God and music from hymns to contemporary songs, and anyone may receive communion, with gluten-free options available. There is no dress code. Children may stay in worship, where a seating area at the back has couches, toys and colouring materials, or join children's programming after the 'conversation time'. Coffee and conversation follow the service, and church buddies can meet first-time visitors on their first morning.
About this listing
Sources: westdaleunited.ca, united-church.ca, hamilton.ca.
Something wrong? Suggest an edit
Thank you. Your message has been sent.
A person reads every message. A change to a listing is compared with the church's own information first, so it usually appears within a week.
