History
A History of Kitchissippi United Church
In October 2008, three United Church congregations in Ottawa, Kingsway, Northwestern and Westboro, came together to form Kitchissippi United Church. Three faithful "rivers" came together in this amalgamation to form Kitchissippi which means "great river."
Our Past Journey - Three Rivers Converging
Kingsway United Church Northwestern United Church Westboro United Church
Amalgamation: Emerging as Kitchissippi United Church
Kingsway United Church - 630 Island Park Drive, Ottawa
The source of Kingsway begins with the first Kingsway service held in the gym at Elmdale School on May 17, 1947. The name, Kingsway, was not that of a river but of a railway crossing. Before the Queensway was built in 1970, Island Park Drive crossed the CN Railway tracks. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Ottawa and the Royal Train stopped at this crossing. Long before the Queensway, it was the Kingsway.
Kingsway was a young church with several charter members still active in 2008. But it was old enough to have the fourth generation of at least one family attending services.
Like many United Churches, Kingsway grew quickly in the 1950s. In 1957 there were 552 children in Sunday School and it had to expand to Gowling Public School. In 2008 the Sunday School was much, much smaller but equally important. Kingsway enjoyed the participation in worship of children, and youth. Christmas Eve service was always a highlight of worship for its music, the participation of youth and talented readers and the bringing together of families.
Worship and music were important to Kingsway as was a challenging sermon. Kingsway could have been considered traditional and slow to change. But in 2008 Kingsway was open to new approaches to worship, music and exploration of the world community in an ongoing effort to understand its neighbours and its role as a Christian congregation.
One can't talk about Kingsway without mentioning the UCW. The women of the church were characterized as phenomenal fund raisers, great cooks, talented craftspeople and a model of cross generational fellowship. The UCW always supported pastoral care for anyone in the congregation who was sick or shut-in.
How did Kingsway reach out to the community? Forty years ago Kingsway, with other area churches, helped form the Queensway Social Action Group to address social problems in the community. This group developed three programs: a head-start nursery, support to seniors and later, a food bank. In 2008 Kingsway actively supported all three programs. Kingsway continued its support for the homeless in Ottawa through the Ottawa Mission in 2008. Kingsway's support for the United Church Mission and Service Fund was an individual choice in recent years, but the congregation was responsive to major appeals.
Rev. Angela Bailey wrote in the report on her Interim Ministry: "Thankfulness for the past, also paved the way for understanding the present identity. This was not easy: a congregation coping with declining membership naturally hopes for the good old days, yet there has been a gradual sense of recognition and acceptance of ‘who we are today'. Letting go of the past and looking forward was a major transition in the life of the congregation." Kingsway liked being a "family-sized congregation", closely connected and caring. But Kingsway was excited about coming together with Northwestern and Westboro to become the great river as Kitchissippi United Church.
Northwestern United Church- 241 Northwestern Ave, Ottawa
The source of Northwestern was itself an amalgamation. Its two founding churches were Western and Ottawa West. Its roots have been deep in the community, with young families and lots of children involved.
Northwestern developed a commitment to lay participation in worship and experimented a lot with different approaches to worship, in the language used, in the styles of hymns sung, in the instrumental accompaniment enjoyed and in the format of the service.
Intergenerational worship was an important key to involving young people, by giving them a meaningful role. Northwestern fostered the idea that children of all ages can contribute to worship, even on the piano playing for an audience for the first time, as an offering piece or a prelude. Teens had the opportunity of practicing their reading and speaking skills during a service, in front of a most supportive and appreciative congregation, their church family.
Northwestern tried to promote full access to the church for those with disabilities and stated, as part of its mission, that the church would always be involved in sponsoring and supporting refugees in Canada. Northwestern developed some ties with the mosque as its way of fostering inter-faith understanding.
The last 10 years were the most pertinent in defining who Northwestern was in 2008. Northwestern had four ministers and 5 music directors in the last eight years. This was after almost ten years with a charismatic young minister who built the church up so much that continued growth seemed inevitable. Although Northwestern lost a lot of members during these rough times, those who stayed showed a depth of commitment that exemplified all that is wonderful about the United Church.
The Northwestern Transition Committee worked to prepare the congregation for amalgamation, in a way that was respectful of those who feared or opposed such a change. It was this championing of the human needs of the congregation that emerged as the real value the committee added and which supplemented the activities of the amalgamation committees focused on the "mechanics" of amalgamation.
Northwestern was ready to continue building a strong foundation in Kitchissippi United Church for extending the ministry of Jesus' love and compassion in this community.
Westboro United Church 450 Churchill Ave, Ottawa
In 1898 a small stone church on Richmond Road was built, and by 1913 this Methodist congregation numbered 75 families. In 1915, Westboro became a separate Methodist charge. Presbyterian services in Westboro were held in a hall until the donation of land, and the building of a church at Richmond Road and Roosevelt Ave. in 1880. In 1912, Westboro was constituted as a separate Presbyterian charge. The first service in the sanctuary on Churchill was on the second Sunday of January 1914. In June 1925, the United Church of Canada came into being, and the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations in Westboro began united services as Westboro United Church in the Churchill building starting from January 1, 1926.
The building was bursting at the seams with activity on all fronts as the surrounding area filled with young families after WWII. The gym became a community centre, with a strong Youth Group and regular dances on Saturday nights. Cubs and Scouts of the 3rd Ottawa and Brownies and Girl Guides began to meet in the church.
Worship services at Westboro United Church followed a fairly traditional format, with regular participation by members of the congregation from all age groups. Services were characterised by Biblically-based preaching, usually explaining one of the Scripture readings for the day. Music was an important part of the service, and was led by a well-trained choir and organist.
Westboro had a long history of strong women guiding and supporting church activities and reaching out to the community. Among the organizations supported by the UCW were the Carlington Community Chaplaincy, Ottawa Inner City Ministries, the Ottawa Mission, Urban Christian Outreach and Compassion (child sponsorship). Westboro also supported Hampton Lodge and Kimberlane Residence, residences that assist vulnerable adults to live in a supportive community environment. After the surge in growth during the ‘50s and ‘60s, as activities reduced, the extra space in the church building was usefully rented to, or used by, a wide variety of tenants, enabling Westboro to serve the community in a different way. For example, Westboro houses the Kiwanis Music Festival office and is a site for the Festival. Churchill Carling Day Care is a long term tenant. Outreach to vulnerable adults and those with psychiatric disabilities included monthly dinners and regular sports activities in the church. Westboro now seeks a new method of service as these changes evolve.
Amalgamation: Emerging as Kitchissippi United Church
In 2008 the three rivers began to flow together with many common worship services and events bringing the three congregations together. Northwestern hosted a Tenebrae service and supper on Maunday Thursday. Kingsway hosted a Robbie Burns lunch in January and Northwestern hosted to a Pancake and Sausage Supper on Shrove Tuesday in February. Kingsway sponsored sporting events, a Curling Funspiel in February and the first Kitchissippi Golf Tournament in June. Westboro's monthly Men's Breakfast became a well attended joint event. A cohort of tweens from all three congregations held several events led by Northwestern.
But the new river had no name, no mission, no one physical structure and no governing structure. The Amalgamation Steering Committee and several working groups led the three congregations to common decisions in all these areas. Kitchissippi United Church was chosen as the new name after several rounds of balloting. Attendees at a consultation session brainstormed ideas for a mission for the new church and a talented group of writers crafted an inspiring mission statement for Kitchissippi. An innovative governance structure and planning process were approved by the congregations and by Presbytery. The decision on a permanent meeting place proved the most difficult and the Amalgamation Steering Committee recommended the Kingsway site as an interim location for worship while more in depth consideration of the possible futures of all three sites takes place in 2009. The final vote on May 11, 2008 was a very positive yes for amalgamation by all three congregations. The vote was endorsed by Presbytery at its May 2008 meeting. Lillian Roberts, the Presbytery Minister noted that many have witnessed the journeys of the three congregations and been encouraged by their courage and willingness to risk new directions.
An Amalgamation Implementation Steering Committee was formed in May as an interim governing body for Kitchissippi and worked tirelessly over the summer to make the many decisions required to allow a smooth amalgamation. Jim Brough was appointed Music Director and Kirsten Gracequist was hired as full-time Church Administrator. The most difficult challenge was finding the right ministers to steer and paddle the congregations into the great river, Kitchissippi. Finally the joint congregation was able to recommend the appointments of a part-time minister, Rev. Jenni Leslie, in October, a full-time minister, Rev. David Sherwin, in December and an expert resource, Rev. Bob Lockhart for October and November.
The ministers of the three congregations played key roles in the amalgamation process. Rev. Angela Bailey encouraged and prodded Presbytery to develop the processes needed to support this unique amalgamation. Rev. Dr. Jim Uhrich applied his creative talents to nurturing change. Rev. Jim Crighton carried the congregations through the last month before amalgamation ensuring that there were services to honour the history and traditions of each founding church. All three ministers gave special attention to pastoral care during this time of great change.
All three streams forming Kitchissippi have a strong commitment to outreach into the community, and a deep appreciation for and commitment to high quality church music and meaningful, joyful worship. The legacy of caring and helping from the U.C.W. is strong. The three congregations all long for a time of stability and renewed purpose and see this future in Kitchissippi United Church.
The inaugural service of Kitchissippi United Church was held at 630 Island Park Drive on October 5, 2008. |
