Wellington Square United Church
- Feb 10
- Downtown Community Dinner
- Feb 11
- GraceLand Leadership Development Event
- Feb 13
- WWS Meeting
- Feb 14
- The Power Of a Whisper
- Feb 18
- Trivia Night
View full calendar
Case Statement
Honouring our Past
Wellington Square United Church has a long history of presence, identity and ministry, tracing its roots back more than 150 years.
Methodist Roots
In the early 1800’s, settlers established a settlement and community known as Wellington Square which would be incorporated in 1825. Many of these settlers were seeking religious freedom as well as seeking a new start and opportunity in a new land.
Fortunately for the spiritual foundation of our country, among the immigrants coming to our land were itinerant, ordained and lay ministers of the gospel, who wholeheartedly threw in their lot with their fellow settlers. This included the community of Wellington Square.
For the village of Wellington Square, a unifying force was Methodism. The spiritual revival of John Wesley had given new hope to those searching for a new spiritual freedom and hope.
Through various incarnations of buildings and facilities, Methodist services thrived and grew at a tremendous rate well into the latter part of the century. By 1887, the cornerstone of the new Burlington Methodist Church was laid. Built to accommodate the current needs and anticipated growth of the congregation, but also to accommodate its outreach services and ministry. A devastating fire on Christmas Day 1892 did little to deter the congregation and a new church was erected on the same foundation less than a year later.
Union
In 1925, a national church was born from the union of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches and began ministry as the United Church of Canada.
In Burlington, a minority of Presbyterians voted to remain outside of the union while the other two denominations voted almost unanimously for union. The new church was called Trinity United Church. There was great enthusiasm over the union and increased spiritual commitment.
Wellington Square United Church
The 1950’s and early 60’s was a period of tremendous growth for the community of Burlington and the surrounding area. Trinity United Church was literally bursting at the seams, with no space to accommodate the growth of the congregation along with the space needed to accommodate its outreach services.
It quickly became quite apparent that it would be impractical, unwise and very costly to expand the current church structure. In December 1964, plans were put in place to build a new facility on a new site.
Concurrently, one of the three new congregations parented by Trinity, St. Paul’s United Church was also contemplating their need for a building program. Many members of St. Paul’s realized that the church was located too close to Trinity. Consequently, when Trinity decided to expand and relocate, it was determined that a union of the two congregations would be a wise and economical move.
In April 1964, the Halton Presbytery passed a resolution “that Trinity and St. Paul’s congregations unite and form a new congregation named Wellington Square United Church, and suitable facilities for same be built on a new site”. The union was solemnized on May 10, 1964.
A site located at 2121 Caroline Street was considered ideal and was secured. The cornerstone for the new church was laid on November 14, 1965, with the official Opening and Dedication Service for the new building taking place on September 18, 1966. Although the cost of the new Church and property exceeded $800,000, through the generosity and sacrificial giving of the congregation, the mortgage to the Church and Manse was paid off in just 15 years.
Legacy of Faith
We remember and honour the visionary and sacrificial leadership of our brothers and sisters in faith whose service to the world included the creation of the beautiful and inspirational sacred space we now call Wellington Square United Church.
As we seek to expand and develop our Church to meet our future needs, we connect with the pioneering spirit and character of our founders whose passion and vision created not only a faith community, but contributed to overall the development of the Municipality of Burlington.
The power of our Church is not only in the strength of it’s presence as a touchstone for the community, but primarily in the echo of faithful lives who trusted that all things are possible in God’s love.
Shaping our Future
Legacy of Ministry
The sanctuary established in 1966 has served our community for many years and inspired the faith of generations. More significant is the quality of ministry that took root within that sanctuary and poured abundantly through its doors into the world.
The ministry of Wellington Square United Church has always been rooted in a love of scripture and a commitment to study of the Word that guides and shapes us. Our passion for discipleship has been nurtured and sustained by a profound understanding of servant leadership. We have always walked our journey with open hearts daring to care, and seeking to serve the needs of our community.
In recent years, we as a church have tried to be the best we can be in several areas. We have sought new ways to do worship that better reaches and engages people bored or turned off by the services remembered from their past. We have stretched to develop new mission activities, beyond just putting money in an envelope, to active involvement. We have intentionally emphasized adult spiritual growth and community building through small groups and study series.
As a community of Christ, we want to be the best we can be. We strive for excellence.
Over the past decade, our church has increased its ministry to people by adding four new staff. We have also increased our mission to people by adding numerous outreach programs such as Wellington Orphanage in Sierra Leone and helping to build over twenty houses in Mexico.
Like those congregations that came before us, we are now at a crossroad. In order for our church to grow, thrive and continue the activities and mission that symbolizes us as a vibrant faith community, we need to make much needed changes to our physical space.
Our current space is a handicap to our worship, children’s programs, youth ministry, congregational events and to the welcome and assimilation of new people to our faith community.
Correcting this situation requires effort and focus. We need only to look at our past to see where we need to go.
Our Call
We have experienced the theological challenge of “wandering in the wilderness.” This journey has deepened our spiritual roots and given us the gifts of determination, resilience, commitment and faith in the God who guides and inspirers us.
Our call is to nurture the spiritual development of those who seek, our call to provide place for all who seek sacred time and space rises from our own experience of the wilderness.
Our facility is our focal point for mission – a place where people are educated, equipped, trained and empowered to live their call as disciples of the world.
We have acted diligently and faithfully through a series of well informed and prayerful steps to prepare the congregation to shape our future and take a new step forward.
A Christian community with deeper roots, branching out and bearing greater fruit
2121 Caroline St, Burlington, ON L7R 1L7
905 634-1849 | | Privacy Policy