List of United Church of Canada churches in Toronto

This is a list of United Church of Canada churches in Toronto, Ontario. In its early history, the city was an overwhelmingly Protestant community, and was a centre of Methodism. The Presbyterian Church also had a very strong presence. When the two denominations merged, Toronto was at the forefront of the formation of what became the United Church. The first council of the new church was held at Metropolitan United Church, still one of the city's most prominent. The later years of the 20th century saw a decline in the United Church in central Toronto, as followers of many new faiths moved in, forcing many of the downtown congregations to consolidate. At the same time the rise of the suburbs led to a new era of church building in the 1950s and 1960s. Today there are just under a hundred United Church churches in Toronto, but this number is steadily falling as congregations consolidate.

The Toronto Conference is one of the 13 conferences that the United Church is divided into. This conference covers much of south central Ontario, including all of the city of Toronto as well as the surrounding counties. The city itself is divided into two presbyteries:

Congregation Location Dates Notes Image
Alderwood United Church Alderwood 1955
Asbury & West United Church Bathurst and Lawrence 1812 1947 Merger of Asbury and former West Presbyterian(1860); west was located at College and Montrose.
Avenue Road United Church Summerhill 1899–1930 Merged with St. Paul's-Avenue Road United Church
Bathurst Street United Church Downtown 1860 Congregation today meets at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church
Beach United Church The Beaches 2007 Merger of Bellefair United Church and Kew Beach United Church; now meeting in former Kew Beach building.
Bedford Park United Church Bedford Park 1922
Bellefair United Church The Beaches 1907–2007 Merged with Kew Beach United Church to form Beach United Church
Berkeley Street United Church Queen East and Berkeley 1871–1955 Merged with Regent Park United Church. Building is today an event venue
Beverley Hills United Church Downsview
Birchcliff Bluffs United Church Scarborough Founded 1919 as Birchcliffe Congregationalist; merged 2004 with Birchcliffe Heights in Birchcliffe.
Bloordale United Church Etobicoke 1955
Bloor Street United Church Downtown 1887
Centennial-Japanese United Church Willowdale Also home to Toronto Japanese Nichigo United Church. Located on Dovercourt until 2006
Centennial-Rouge United Church West Hill
Carlton Street United Church Downtown 1832–1959 Merged with Sherbourne Street United to form St. Luke's United
Centennial United Church Dufferin Grove 1891–1986 Today loft condominiums. In 1986 amalgamated with Toronto Japanese United Church to form Centennial-Japanese United Church
Central United Church Weston Founded 1821
Church of the Master United Church Woburn
Clinton Street United Church Clinton and College 1896–1928 Merged with West United Church in 1928, then home of Dewi Sant Welsh United Church.
College Street United Church Downtown Founded 1874 as College Street Presbyterian Church
Cosburn United Church East York Founded March 1933 / new building 1942 www.cosburnunitedchurch.com
Davenport Perth United Church Carleton Village 1818 Originally Davenport Road Methodist Church, then Olde Davenport United Church, merged with Perth United in 1970
Deer Park United Church Deer Park Founded 1881 as Deer Park Presbyterian Church
Dewi Sant Welsh United Church Bedford Park 1907-2022[1] Only Welsh language congregation in Canada. Amalgamated with Timothy Eaton Memorial.
Dentonia Park United Church East York Founded 1924
Dufferin Street United Church Dufferin and Davenport Disbanded 1961
Don Mills-Thorncliffe Park United Church East York Founded 1819, as Don Mills Methodist; Thorncliffe started in 1960s, and redeveloped with housing.
Donway Covenant United Church Don Mills 1954, 1990s merger of The Donway with Church of the Covenant (Don Valley Village) in The Donway. in midst of Don Mills
Downsview United Church Downsview Founded 1844 as Downsview Methodist. Built in 1870, and is a Toronto Heritage Property.[1]
Earlscourt United Church Earlscourt 1905–1969 Founded as Boon Avenue Methodist Mission. It merged with St. David's United to form Faith United
Eastminster United Church The Danforth 1966 Merger of North Broadview United (built as Chester Presbyterian) and Danforth United (built Methodist)
Eglinton United Church Yonge and Eglinton 1840–1999; Eglinton Methodist Merged into Eglinton St. George's United Church
Eglinton St. George's United Church Lytton Park Founded 1890 as Eglinton Presbyterian. Changed name in 1925 as Methodist congregation was older.
Elia United Church Elia 1900–1957 Part of Downsview Circuit; now a Reformed Church
Emmanuel United Church, Malvern Malvern 1864–1975 First church to serve village of Malvern. Demolished 1975
Erskine United Church Roncesvalles 1884–1961 Originally called Fern Avenue Presbyterian. It was later called High Park. It was renamed Erskine United in 1925 as High Park Methodist was older. It merged with North Parkdale United to form Emmanuel United, today Emmanuel-Howard Park United
Fairbank United Church Glen Park 1860 as Methodist congregation merger with St. Cuthburt's (former Fairbank Presbyterian) in 2000; St. Cuthburt's House on site.
Fairlawn Avenue United Church Bedford Park 1915 Founded as Fairlawn Methodist. Three other congregations have merged into Fairlawn (Armour Heights 1988, and St. James-Bond 2005)
Faith United Church Earlscourt 1969–1992 Created from a merger of Earlscourt United and St. David's United. Building sold to Bethlehem United Church of Christ (Apostolic) later demolished 1995
Forest Grove United Church Willowdale 1950s Also home to Immanuel Toronto Korean UC
Forest Hill United Church Forest Hill 1940
Gerrard Street United Church Gerrard and River 1880–1939 Merged with St. Enoch's United
Glebe Road United Church Davisville Also home to Deutsche Evangeliums United Church
Glen Ayr United Church Bendale 1960
Glen Rhodes United Church Leslieville 1984 Merger of Rhodes Avenue United (1906 Presbyterian) and Glen Mount United (Methodist)
Glenmount United Church Upper Beaches 1909–1984 Merged with Rhodes Avenue United to form Glen Rhodes United
High Park Korean United Church near High Park 1908 Formerly High Park United Church, Originally Methodist.
Hope United Church The Danforth 1880 Founded as Hope Methodist
Howard Park United Church Roncesvalles 1908-1969 Founded as Howard Park Methodist. It merged with Emmanuel United to form Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church
Humber Valley United Church Humber Valley 1952
Humbercrest United Church Baby Point 1912 Founded as Methodist
Humbervale United Church Etobicoke
Hungarian United Church
Iondale Heights United Church Ionview
Islington United Church Islington 1840s The original building was on Dundas Street West. It moved to Burnhamthope Road in the 1950s.
Jane-Finch Community Ministry Jane and Finch 1982
Jubilee United Church Don Mills 1835 Founded as York Mills Presbyterian. 2000 merger of Bethesda United (1886 move of York Mills to former Methodist building), Victoria Village, and Donminster in Donminster building;
Kew Beach United Church The Beaches 1890–2007 Founded as Kew Beach Presbyterian. It merged with Bellefair United (originally Methodist) to form Beach United
Kimbourne Park United Church The Danforth 1913 Founded as Greenwood Avenue Presbyterian Church. It moved in the 1930s
Kingston Road United Church The Beaches 1927 merger of former Presbyterian and Methodist Missions in North Beaches.
Kingsway-Lambton United Church The Kingsway 1845 Founded as Lambton Mills Methodist. It was originally located at Lambton Mills on Dundas Street. It moved to The Kingsway in 1936.
Knob Hill United Church Bendale 1955
Knox United Church Scarborough 1844 Founded through York Mills Presbyterian Church. It was erected in 1848.
Lansing United Church Lansing
Lawrence Park Community Church[2] Lawrence Park 1950
Leaside United Church Leaside 1930
Malvern-Emmanuel United Church Malvern 1980 Replaced the former rural congregation in Malvern subdivision.
Manor Road United Church Davisville
Martin Grove United Church Rexdale Originally West Humber United Church. Merged with Rexdale United (1956) in 1994.
Metropolitan United Church Downtown 1818 Founded as Methodist
Mount Dennis United Church Mount Dennis 1960 Merger of Chalmers United (formerly Mt. Dennis Presbyterian 1913) and Pearen Memorial United (Mt. Dennis Methodist 1903). Meeting in former Presbyterian building, has been joined by Harwood (formerly Presbyterian) 1962, and Silverthorn in 1995; that had absorbed St Luke's United York Township (formerly Silverthorn Presbyterian) in 1943, and Prospect Park United Church (originally Methodist) in 1970.
Newtonbrook United Church Willowdale 1800s Founded as Newtonbrook Methodist. Also home to Taiwanese United Church and Lester B. Pearson housing complex. Named after son of former Prime Minister.
North Broadview United Church Broadview and Dearbourne 1891–1966 Founded as Chester Presbyterian. Merged with Danforth United (originally Methodist) to become Eastminster United; building torn down to become Chester Village Seniors Complex in 1970, commemorative stone placed in lobby. Toronto Housinmg is now gutting building after Chester Village moved to Scarborough.
North Riverdale United Church Riverdale 1925–1929 Met in Harcourt Hall, as minority from Riverdale Presbyterian (including Minister) who supported 1925 Union. Not being able to acquire building, joined with North Broadview, Danforth, Donlands, Riverdale, and other congregations.
North Parkdale United Roncesvalles 1889–1961 Merged with Erskine United to form Emmanuel United, today Emmanuel-Howard Park United;
North Runnymede United Church Rockcliffe–Smythe 1913 Founded as Scarlett Plains Methodist in 1913
Northlea United Church Leaside 1955
Northminster United Church Willowdale 1955
Onnuri Korean United Church Bedford Park
Oriole-York Mills United Church Willowdale
Parkdale United Church Parkdale 1876 Founded as Parkdale Methodist. Large building replaced by apartment complex in 1980
Parkwoods United Church Don Mills 1960 Housing complex added in the 1990s
Perth United Church Junction Triangle 1889 Originally Ernest Avenue Methodist, merged with Davenport Road United in 1970 to form Davenport Perth United. Building is today Perth Avenue Adventist, but presently for sale.
Presteign Woodbine United Church Parkview Hills 1918 as Gledhill Methodist Mission; 1921 Woodbine Heights Methodist; 1925 Woodbine United to 1986. Presteign 1950 1986 merger of Woodbine and Presteign in Presteign building; Woodbine remained as Daycare Centre, redeveloped in 2000. Then Presteign-Woodbine merged into Leaside United in 2015.
Regent Park United Church Regent Park
Rhodes Avenue United Church Leslieville 1908–1984; first as Reid Avenue Presbyterian Church, Street renamed Rhodes in 1911, then Rhodes UC in 1925. Merged with Glenmount United to form Glen Rhodes United
Richview United Church Centennial Park Founded in 1829 as Richview Methodist. Building expropriated for 427-401-Richview Expressway complex; congregation moved into new subdivision; cemetery remains in highway median.
Riverdale United Church Riverdale 1862 as Riverdale Methodist Congregation closed on June 30, 2010. In 2018, the building was slated for demolition to be developed into a site for affordable housing by WoodGreen Community Services.
Riverside-Emery United Church Weston 1965 merger of Emery United Church (1960) and Riverside (1938) in Riverside (1951 building) 1980 fire gutted entire building; rebuilt 1981.
Roncesvalles United Church Roncesvalles 1884 A merger of three churches that were once in the area. Previously known as Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church, the congregation changed its name to Roncesvalles United Church in 2016.
Royal York Road United Church Etobicoke Founded in 1889 as Tomlinson Methodist Queensway United joined in 1970
Rosedale United Church Rosedale 1868 Founded as Northern Congregational Church moved to Rosedale in 1914, Rosedale Union Church 1922.
Runnymede United Church Bloor West Village formed 1925 by Minority Presbyterians from Victoria Presbyterian.
Scarborough Bluffs United Church Scarborough Bluffs Congregation founded 1803. 2004 Merger of Washington United (Scarborough Methodist) and Cliffcrest United (1948) in 1950s Washington building. Cemetery located south of property on Scarborough Golf Club Road where previous buildings (and Kingston Road alignment) were located.
Sherbourne Street United Church Downtown 1872–1959 Merged with Carlton Street United to form St. Luke's United
Silverthorn United Church early 1900s–1995 Originally Silverthorn Methodist. Welcomed neighbouring St Luke's (formerly Presbyterian) United in 1943 (shared Pastoral charge in 1930s). Merged with Mount Dennis United Church, and building demolished and replaced by houses on Aileen Street.
Simpson Avenue United Church Leslieville 1889–1991 as Simpson Avenue Methodist. Merged with Glen Rhodes United Church, building now home to Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
St. Andrew's United Church Downtown 1949 Merger of Old St. Andrew's United Church (from 1830) and Westminster (Yorkville Canada Presbyterian 1860)- Central (Yorkville Methodist 1841) in former Westminster (1892, gutted by fire 1922) building. Ols St. Andrew's Split off from St. Andrew's Church in 1876, as well as Grosvenor Street Split from Bay Street/Erskine Presbyterian the same year. Yonge Street (formerly Summerhill Methodist 1873) joined in 1970s Building redeveloped into office complex, with smaller Worship area.
St. David's United Church Earlscourt 1906–1969 as Prospect Park Presbyterian Mission, St. David's Presbyterian, and St. David's United. Merged with Earlscourt United to form Faith United, building acquired by Seventh Day Adventist congregation, who sold building for revelopement; datestone for Church is on wall of development with plaque commemorating Seventh Day Adventist Congregation.
St. Enoch's United Church Sackville and Winchester 1885–1970 as St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Building today is the Winchester Street Theatre; plaque in Riverdale Park notes the link with St. Enoch's pioneer minister as father of Sir Ernest MacMillan
St. James United Church Etobicoke 1951
St. James-Bond Church North Toronto 1928–2005; move of two downtown congregations; Bond Congregationalist (1830s) and St. James Square United Presbyterian (1853) Merged into Fairlawn Avenue United Church, building demolished in 2007.
St. John's United Church Agincourt 1955 Replacing name of rural St. John's Milliken United Church, destroyed in 1929.
St. Luke's United Church Downtown Founded in 1874 as Sherbourne Street Methodist Merged in 1959 with Carlton Street (1832 Primitive Methodist) in Sherbourne building.
St. Luke's United Church, Etobicoke Etobicoke 1955–2010.
St. Mark's United Church Woburn 1965 building destroyed by fire in 1970s. rebuilt
St. Matthew's United Church Hillcrest 1966 merger of St. Clair United (Methodist) with St. Columba United (Wychwood Presbyterian 1902). Further mergers include Faith United.
St. Paul's United Church Cliffside 1920 as Scarborough Bluffs Presbyterian expanded facilities in 1960s
St. Paul's-Avenue Road United Church Downtown 1877–1980 Merged with Trinity-St. Paul's United Church
St. Paul's Lakeshore United Church Long Branch 1924
Timothy Eaton Memorial United Church Forest Hill Founded in 1914 as Timothy Eaton Memorial Methodist Church
Toronto Chinese United Church Milliken 1910 moved from Elizabeth Street in 1990s.
Trethewey Park United Church 1926-1971 Merged with Elverston Park United Church to form Elverston-Trethewey United Church (closed 2001) after 3 moves.
Trinity-St. Paul's United Church Downtown Founded in 1889 as Trinity Methodist Church. Merged with St. Paul's-Avenue Road in the 1980s.
Victoria Park United Church Clairlea Founded in 1917 as Dawes Road Methodist Church Relocated in 1949 from East York to new Scarborough subdivision. Closed as of April 15, 2018 (final service).
Wanstead United Church Oakridge 1923 as Warden Park Presbyterian Mission. Merged with St. Paul's Scarborough (Cliffside) in 2012. Wanstead building sold and now a Mosque.
Wesley United Church Dundas and Ossington 1876–1983 Merged with Grace-Carmen to form Wesley-Grace-Carmen
Wesley-Grace-Carmen United Church 1983–1988 Merged with Westmoreland to form Westennial United Church
Wesley-Mimico United Church Mimico 1925 Merger of Wesley Methodist and Mimico Presbyterian.
West Ellesmere United Church Maryvale 1956 Major split in 1980 led to Good Shepherd Community Church in L'Amoreaux Community.
West Hill United Church West Hill 1947
West United Church Downtown 1860-1947. Started as West Presbyterian. Started in Brock Hall, buildings constructed 1863 and 1879 on Deniston Avenue. Sold 1910, became St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church. Moved to College and Montrose, merged with Clinton Street United Church (Methodist) in 1927, and into Asbury & West United Church.
Westennial United Church Dundas and Ossington 1988–1997 Merger of Wesley-Grace-Carmen and Westmoreland United. Building today is St. Christopher House
Westminster-Central United Church Downtown 1925–1950 Formed in 1925 by merger of Westminster Presbyterian and Central Methodist. Merged with Old St. Andrew's United in 1950 to become St. Andrew's United.
Westminster United Church Weston Founded in 1847 as Weston Presbyterian (Free Church) Moved into new building near Weston and Lawrence; Old Church split in 1914. Constructed new building east of Railway in 1950s.
Westmoreland United Church Dovercourt 1884–1988 Merged with Wesley-Grace-Carmen to form Westennial United Church
Westway United Church Etobicoke 1957
Wexford Heights United Church Wexford Founded in 1842 as Zion Methodist Church, Wexford. Joined Presbyterian Church in 1888 following dissatisfaction with Methodist union and closing of congregation. Joined UCC in 1925, built new structure in 1950s, and amalgamated with Wilmar Heights (1957) in 2002.
Willowdale United Church Willowdale 1815 as Willowdale Methodist. Originally at Yonge and Church, but moved when Yonge widened in 1953
Wilmar Heights United Church Wexford 1957–2002 Closed after constructing apartment complex, building serves as Southeast Presbytery offices.
Windermere United Church Swansea 1911
WoodGreen United Church Leslieville 1873–2004

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Heritage Property Detail". City of Toronto. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  2. ^ "Home". lawrenceparkchurch.ca.