Central United Church

Central United Church is a historic congregation of the United Church of Canada located in the community of Weston, now a neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1821 (1821), the church has occupied the same site on Weston Road in Toronto since then.[1]

Central United Church
Central United Church
Location1 King Street
Toronto, Ontario
M9N 1K8
DenominationUnited Church of Canada (1925)
Previous denominationMethodist Episcopal Church,
History
StatusChurch (building)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeNorman-Gothic
Clergy
Minister(s)Michael Kooiman
A stained glass window honours Egerton Ryerson.

The congregation began as part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a forerunner of both the Methodist Church of Canada (1884) and the United Church of Canada (1925). The first church building, a log structure, was erected in 1821, followed by a larger brick church constructed in 1849. The present building, dedicated in 1887, and built in the Gothic Revival style, has been altered and updated on several occasions, but retains the landmark tower. The tower includes examples of abat-sons. The church was one of the final projects of William Henry Mallory Sr., architect.[2]

The congregation has a unique musical heritage. The organ, constructed by Casavant Frères, was dedicated in 1950 as a memorial to members of the congregation who gave their lives in the Second World War. The Chancellors, a youth choir active from 1968 to 1980, produced five record albums and toured extensively.

The congregation has been served by several notable clergy, including Egerton Ryerson, historian George Playter and E.A. Pearson, the father of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.

Today, the church is well known for outreach into the community through the Weston King Neighbourhood Centre. The Centre provides meals, education and advocacy.

See also

References
  1. Lee, Eric (1996). The History of Central United Church Weston Ontario, 1821-1996. Weston: Central United Church. p. 2. OCLC 225163345.
  2. http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/648 Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine

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