"No matter what you believe, no matter what you don't believe; no matter what you've done, no matter what you've left undone; no matter who you are, no matter who you love - you are welcome here. For this is not the sole domain of the United Church of Canada, nor of Trinity-St. Paul's. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, and in Christ's church, everyone is welcome."
Reverend Dr. Cheri DiNovo, Minister
strengthening faith
FAITH
Worship of God, nurture of one another, and the struggle to be faithful to God’s purposes lie at the centre of our community and our outreach. We affirm that all who seek to live faithfully regardless of ability, age, class, ethnicity, gender, race or sexual orientation are full participants and are urged to take full responsibility in the life, membership and leadership of the church.
seeking justice and peace
JUSTICE
We seek to be a community of faith that witnesses publicly as a Christian community, takes a stand on issues of social justice, locally and globally and deepens our relationship with the arts community, with other faith communities and with our neighbours.
nurturing the creative spirit
THE ARTS
Trinity-St. Paul’s (TSP) Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts is a vibrant community hub in downtown Toronto that has been serving the local and extended neighbourhood for more than 125 years. Today, we are home to 60 organizations – cultural, educational, religious, recreational, community and social service groups.
The Four Circles
Worship and Faith Formation
plans meaningful Sunday worship and other special worship experiences and retreats: includes Music, Children’s Church and Youth-on-Bloor (YOB)
Nurturing Community and Discipleship
welcomes newcomers; plans community luncheons and Season for Commitment events in the fall. The Pastoral Care Team provides support for difficult life transitions
Public Witness
stewardship of social justice initiatives, and provides outreach and advocacy in four primary areas: climate justice, anti-racism, Indigenous rights and Middle East justice and peace
Stewardship of Resources
administers the financial affairs of the congregation, and nurtures the practice of stewardship of time, talent and resources
Public Witness
We seek to be a community of faith that witnesses publicly as a Christian community, takes a stand on issues of social justice, locally and globally, and deepens our relationship with the arts community, with other faith communities and with our neighbours.
The Public Witness Circle works on 4 priorities:
We are following our Christian faith by helping eradicate systemic racism. We humble ourselves in reflection and take collaborative action to help dismantle racism within our community of Toronto.
The settler colonial history of Canada is the story of the dispossession of Indigenous peoples from their land, and the attempt, through a policy of assimilation, to erase Indigenous peoples as distinct spiritual, social, cultural and political communities.
The Indigenous Rights Solidarity Group (IRSG) with members from Bathurst, Bloor Street and Trinity-St. Paul’s, seeks to open ourselves to the truth of this history; to be open to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, in a spirit of honesty and humility; and to work in solidarity towards a future of justice, as envisioned in the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Rights.
Peacemaking seeks long term sustainable solutions rather than polite agreements or uneasy and fragile truces to difficult conflicts. Peacemaking seeks to disenfranchise, or confront in a process of controlled escalation, those who seek unfair advantage, who exploit racial or class or gender differences, and who prefer to maintain disparities that favour themselves. The focus on peace making includes initiatives devoted to the Middle East (MEWG), refugees, and restorative justice.
The Church Board is the governing body of the Trinity St. Paul’s United Church congregation. In conjunction with the Church Board, the Building Management Board and Board of Trustees manage the assets and resources that are vital to TSP life.
History
A Heritage on Bloor Street
In 1980, two long-established congregations join to form Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church. Founded in 1887 and 1889 respectively, St. Paul’s Avenue Road United Church and Trinity United Church had already contributed nearly 100 years each of dedicated service to the community, each seeking to live the love, justice and freedom of Jesus Christ.
The fulfillment of this mission continues today in a lively and vital atmosphere. For more than a century, the familiar stone towers of Trinity-St. Paul’s have been a landmark on Bloor Street. The building represents the congregation’s community outreach for neighbourhood programs, social justice activities, educational forums, support services and the performing arts. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m, and on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. During the regular season, up to 2,500 people pass through its doors each week.
The History
Our Community
Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church is an inclusive and affirming Christian community celebrating God’s presence, seeking justice and peace, strengthening faith, and nourishing the creative spirit.
Front Office
- Monday - Saturday:
- 9:00AM - 11:00PM
- Sunday:
- 9:00AM - 10:00PM
- (416) 922 - 8435 x21
- tsp@trinitystpauls.ca
Church Office
- Tuesday - Friday:
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sunday:
- 9:00AM - 2:00PM
- (416) 922 - 8435 x23
- admin@trinitystpauls.ca