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Willowdale Emmanuel United Church

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Is it possible for a church to have two birthdays? Willowdale Emmanuel United Church seems to think so. It stands here on Kenneth Avenue, but its story begins much earlier, in 1920, as the Ottawa Street Methodist Church. A few years later, in 1925, a new church was built on this very site. This was around the time the United Church of Canada was formed, a union of Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches. This new building became Ottawa United Church. The church continued to grow. By the early 1950s, a larger space was needed. In 1956, the current sanctuary of Willowdale Emmanuel United Church was built. A small chapel was added too, a quiet space for personal reflection and prayer. With this expansion, the church officially became Willowdale Emmanuel United Church. The story doesn’t end there. In 1997, Willowdale Emmanuel United Church welcomed the congregation of Grace United Church. A beautiful stained-glass window, “The Good Shepherd,” from Grace United Church now graces the balcony. More recently, in 2023, the congregation of Central United Church joined Willowdale Emmanuel United Church for worship and pastoral care. The official amalgamation took place in 2024. Throughout its history, Willowdale Emmanuel United Church has served its community, offering spiritual guidance and support. It’s a place of vibrant worship, community service, and fellowship.

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