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:
- Toronto Southeast, covering eastern North York, East York, the old city of Scarborough, Ontario and eastern areas of the old city of Toronto;
- South West, covering Etobicoke, York, the western parts of North York and old Toronto. South West also extends into Malton, Brampton and Halton Hills.
| 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]- List of Anglican churches in Toronto
- List of Orthodox churches in Toronto
- List of Presbyterian churches in Toronto
- List of Roman Catholic churches in Toronto
- List of Synagogues in Toronto
References
[edit]- ^ "Heritage Property Detail". City of Toronto. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Home". lawrenceparkchurch.ca.