Canada

United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada is a large and inclusive denomination.

Rooted in a vision of Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice, the church is actively renewing its mission across six key areas.

These include championing justice—particularly for Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities—and investing in leadership development for both clergy and lay people.

The church is revitalising congregations and planting new ones, including among migrant communities, while deepening its commitment to climate justice and sustainable living.

It continues to nurture the common good through ecumenical collaboration and resource sharing, and is walking alongside Indigenous communities in affirming self-determination and spiritual identity.

Youth leadership and engagement are central to this renewal, with vibrant programmes in discipleship and climate action.

Methodism in Canada began in the mid-18th century, notably with Irish-born Laurence Coughlan, who introduced Methodist practices to Newfoundland in 1766.

His emotionally engaged preaching and grassroots ministry laid early foundations for Methodism in the region.

In the Maritimes, William Black further developed Wesleyan Methodism, while American Methodist Episcopal missionaries expanded into Upper Canada from 1791.

Over time, various Methodist groups—including Wesleyan, Episcopal, Primitive, Bible Christian, and New Connexion—merged to form the Methodist Church of Canada in 1884, which became the country’s largest Protestant denomination.

Methodists were deeply involved in education, social reform, and mission work, including outreach to Indigenous communities.

In 1925, the Methodist Church of Canada joined with most Presbyterian and Congregational churches to form the United Church of Canada.

This union was later strengthened in 1930 when the Synod of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Bermuda also joined, extending the Methodist legacy beyond Canada’s borders.