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.
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
- deepens our relationship with the arts community, with other faith communities and with our neighbours.
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.
Reverend Dr.
Cheri DiNovo
Minister"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."
The Four Circles
The life and work of TSP is realized through four 'Circles' - active committees that fulfill the mission of this church
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 three primary areas: climate justice, Indigenous rights and right relations, 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 3 priorities:
Climate Justice
Our Climate Justice Group comes from the TSP community and we are deeply concerned about the present and future impacts of climate chaos. We worry that keeping more energy within the Earth’s atmosphere will lead to more intense flooding, droughts, and natural disasters. We are mostly concerned because the people facing the greatest threat from climate chaos are least responsible for the historic emissions and least able to adapt due to the unequal distribution of wealth. Avoiding catastrophic climate chaos is our objective.
Indigenous Rights
Successive federal governments and religious organizations in Canada have tried to interfere with, and even destroy, the cultures of Indigenous peoples and to supplant them with European cultures and values. The Indigenous Rights Solidarity Group (IRSG) of the Bloor/Spadina United Churches (Bathurst Street, Bloor Street and TSP) aims to engage the three congregations in education, advocacy and solidarity in relation to Indigenous justice and right relations; respond to requests for solidarity from Indigenous communities; and find opportunities to build relationships between congregational members and Indigenous peoples.
Peacemaking
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.
Governance
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.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees administers the capital assets and finances of TSP.
Church Board
The Board deliberates on those decisions that direct the spiritual and pastoral life as well as the stewardship and social responsibilities of TSP. It also provides a forum for discussion and planning of the life of the congregation. The Church Board makes final policy decisions and ensures their implementation.
Building Management Board
Our Building Management Board and its staff are developing a sustainable model for our building, signaling our commitment to congregational and community use of our space for decades to come.
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
Built in the Revived Romanesque style, Trinity-St. Paul’s stone was quarried from the Forks of the Credit River. It is part of the body of work of architect Edmund Burke, whose splendid buildings are so much a part of Toronto’s cityscape. In recognition of its fine architecture which is revolutionary in its democracy, Trinity-St. Paul’s has been designated as a Heritage Building by the Toronto Historical Board.
Appreciation for the church’s architectural presence is widespread. In a column in the Toronto Star, Entertainment Editor Kathleen Kenna called Trinity-St. Paul’s “one of the most romantic venues in Toronto.” The sanctuary is built on an ampitheatre or auditorium plan emphasizing acoustics and visibility. This makes it an ideal location for musical performances as well as an enriching setting for worship.
“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.
is an inclusive and affirming Christian community celebrating God's presence, seeking justice and peace, strengthening faith, and nourishing the creative spirit.
Hours of Operation
Front Office- Monday - Saturday9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Phone (416) 922 - 8435 x21
Email tsp@trinitystpauls.ca
- Mon - Thursday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Phone (416) 922 - 8435 x23
Email admin@trinitystpauls.ca