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St. James United Church traces its beginning to the seven members of Montreal’s first Methodist congregation who first came together as a church in 1803. The current building, located on St. Catherine Street, is the fourth home of the congregation and was constructed between 1887 and 1889, following their move from St. James Street, inspiring the church's name. It was the largest Methodist church in Canada during its construction, seating over 2,000 people. In 1925, the Methodists, Congregationalists, and most of the nation’s Presbyterians came together to form The United Church of Canada and the congregation became St. James United Church.
Architecture
The architecture of St. James reflects the High Victorian Gothic Revival style, featuring intricate plasterwork on the interior ceiling and rich polychromatic stonework on the exterior.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
Mission and Service
Mission and Service works in partnership with people and organizations, amplifying their reach and ability by supporting the life-changing work they do within Canada and around the world. Our partners face challenges that may be unimaginable to many of us: conflict, starvation, oppression, forced migration, and lack of health care, among others. We support our partners right away in natural or human-made disasters so they can provide immediate help, and we continue with long-term support to rebuild after loss.
Sharing in the joys and challenges of life, we join in the celebration of what it means to be human together. Through laughter and tears, love and hardship, we grow together.
Photo courtesy of St. James United Church. Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Montreal City Mission. Used with permission.
The people of St. James United Church gather every Sunday of the year and during special occasions to pause, praise and worship God, giving thanks for all of life’s blessings. Healing and renewal are central to the work of the church, as they create space for their community to share their sorrows and joys. Following a long tradition of commitment to social justice, the St. James community meets the spiritual needs of people of all ages, claiming the value of each and everyone, regardless of their culture, race, or sexual orientation, including people with the most diverse skills who are facing challenges.
The United Church of Canada
Call and Vision
Called by God, as disciples of Jesus, The United Church of Canada seeks to be a bold, connected, evolving church of diverse, courageous, hope-filled communities united in deep spirituality, inspiring worship, and daring justice.
Deep Spirituality is the joy of those who know God loves and holds them. Deep spirituality is the cornerstone of our identity, not just as a church but also as individuals.
Bold Discipleship is realizing how our lives are a sacred calling and, out of our faith, connecting our gifts with the world’s needs. Let us be bold in claiming every moment of every day and every activity as an expression of how we can help care for God's world.
Daring Justice is how we respond together in faith, not fear, to the call to build a more just world. So, let us be daring as we imagine God’s vision for the world.
