Ottawa Churches Chronicle

06/14/2026

Merivale United Church (1876 Merivale Road) celebrated its 150th anniversary this morning. I was happy to join them for a special Sunday service, a history exhibit and lunch. The community began its congregational life in the current redbrick heritage structure as Merivale Presbyterian Church in 1876, in the middle of rolling farmland. Today, the church is surrounded by sprawling suburbia. Everything around it has changed, and the property has expanded too, with a spacious hall built next to the original church. Descendants of the congregation's original families attended today's two services -- a Sunday liturgy, followed by a decoration service remembering all those buried in the historic church cemetery. Volunteers displayed hundreds of photos in the church basement, as part of an informative history exhibit. The church has long partnered with Fallowfield United -- together they form a joint pastoral charge.

Lunch was catered by Chef Ric and the congregation even hired an ice cream truck to enhance the celebration! The church and hall were filled with families and friends of the congregation, with all generations represented. Full article coming soon. Photos: Ottawa Churches Chronicle.

06/14/2026

When I visited St. Laurence O’Toole Church in Spencerville, Ontario’s black flies had well and truly awakened from their slumber. They encircled me as I exited my car and made my way into this small, but vibrant country church built in 1884. A gregarious, warm deacon gave the homily. He spoke of life as a roller-coaster and he added: "Faith is not a set of rules. Faith is a way of life and it’s a way of being. No matter how much we doubt or where we are on the roller-coaster, Jesus promises us that he will always be with us, until the end of time. And that is the promise of the Ascension."

Read the full article on my visit here:

On May 17, Ontario’s black flies had well and truly awakened from their slumber in Spencerville — a village 80 kilometres southwest of Ottawa and home to the historic St. Laurence O’Toole Church. They encircled me as I exited my car and made my way into this small, but vibrant country church b...

05/25/2026

This morning, on Pentecost, I visited the extraordinary St. Francis Xavier Church in Brockville for 10:30 AM Mass. Completed in 1860, it's one of the best examples of High Gothic Revival architecture in Eastern Ontario.The stained glass windows, the first of which was installed in 1881, include rich colours and intricate imagery. The church's soaring lines and pointed vaulting are hallmarks of Gothic architecture. The entire church was carefully repainted in the last two decades, while the windows were restored and the flooring replaced. This morning the presider, Fr. Andrew Shim, used his great singing voice to chant the entire Eucharistic Prayer. Full article coming soon. Photos: Ottawa Churches Chronicle.

05/23/2026

The Catholic Register's May 17th issue includes a feature piece by Quinton Amundson on the 200th anniversary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, which has a Canadian province -- OMI Lacombe -- headquartered in Ottawa. The international congregation is celebrating the pontifical approval of their Constitution and Rules by Pope Leo XII in 1826 and the work of its founder, Eugène de Mazenod. The article notes that the Oblates played a key role in establishing nearly every Catholic diocese in western and northern Canada.

05/22/2026

In Canada, Anglican churches are at the forefront of choral training. Their embrace of sacred music enhances the liturgical experience. The same can be said of Episcopalian communities south of the border. On May 17, Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown, NY — 200 kilometres southwest of Ottawa — hosted a concert featuring sacred classics for the choir and organ entitled “In the Splendour of Light.” The ornate church, consecrated in 1890 and incorporating both Richardsonian Romanesque and Gothic Revival elements, proved a welcome refuge from the heat and humidity that swept away spring’s temperance that Sunday afternoon.

Read the full piece here:

In Canada, Anglican churches are at the forefront of choral training. Their embrace of the traditions of sacred music enhances the liturgical experience. The same can be said of Episcopalian communities south of the border. On May 17, Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown, NY — 200 kilometres sout...

05/18/2026

This morning, I visited St. Laurence O'Toole Church in Spencerville for 9:00 AM Mass. With its cornerstone laid in 1883, the church in the late nineteenth century served mostly Irish Catholics, who prior to then had to travel long distances to Kemptville or Prescott to attend Mass. St Laurence O'Toole may be a relatively small country church, but it has a vibrant congregation. This morning, the nearly 100 parishioners in attendance just about filled the pews to capacity and around two dozen kids attended children's liturgy. After the celebration, volunteers set up coffee and treats on the front lawn -- it felt like the first weekend of summer! Full article to come soon. Photos: Ottawa Churches Chronicle.

05/17/2026

On May 9, more than 530 people filled the pews of Christ Church Cathedral for a grand liturgy and a momentous occasion. The Venerable Kathryn Otley, the first female Anglican Bishop of Ottawa, was ordained and installed before a sea of clergy and parishioners from across the vast swath of the Diocese. Opened in 1873, Christ Church Cathedral’s English Gothic architecture was on glorious display under the sun of a bright, brisk May morning, with the details and colours of the stained glass windows coming to life. The celebration reflected the lyricism that is so often a hallmark of the Anglican tradition. Read the full account here:

On May 9, more than 530 people filled the pews of Christ Church Cathedral for a grand liturgy and a momentous occasion. The Venerable Kathryn Otley, the first female Anglican Bishop of Ottawa, was ordained and installed before a sea of clergy and parishioners from across the vast swath of the Dioces...

05/16/2026

It's rare that a church makes it onto the front-page of The Ottawa Citizen. Meet Reverend Canon Aigah Attagutsiak of St. Margaret's Church at 206 Montreal Road. Her Anglican pastoral ministry in the Inuktitut language was featured in the Citizen's May 15th print issue. Ordained in 2015, she is described as a spiritual pillar to thousands of Inuit in Ottawa -- many of whom live in Vanier where St. Margaret's is located. The small church, built in 1887, offers Sunday liturgies in both English and Inuktitut, as well as a community meal. Reverend Attagutsiak was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her ministry. The excellent feature piece was produced in partnership with the Reporting on Indigenous Communities course at Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communications.

05/11/2026

On May 3, I joined 100 parishioners of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at 1758 Alta Vista Drive for 11:00 AM Mass. Opened in 1955 during Ottawa’s postwar suburban boom, I found a friendly and multi-generational faith community with a robust choir. Upon arrival, I was welcomed warmly by a greeter. The most striking architectural features of this Mid-century modern church are the triangular stained glass windows, along with the triangular framing of the sanctuary. Several Catholic churches built in Ottawa during the fifties and sixties adopted an A-frame structure, but these triangular features are unique in the city.

Read the full piece here:

On May 3, I joined 100 parishioners of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at 1758 Alta Vista Drive for 11:00 AM Mass. Opened in 1955 during Ottawa’s postwar suburban boom, I found a friendly and multi-generational faith community with a robust choir. Upon arrival, I was welcomed warmly by a greet...

05/09/2026

This morning, I attended the Ordination and Consecration of the Venerable Kathryn Anne Otley as Anglican Bishop of Ottawa. Christ Church Cathedral was filled to capacity with over 530 clergy and laity. The celebration was elevated by the Cathedral's extraordinary music ministry. I had the chance to interview Bishop Otley earlier this spring -- link in the comments. Following the liturgy, hundreds gathered in the Great Hall for a glass of Prosecco at a festive reception. I'm sharing some photos I took below; full article to come soon! Many thanks to the Diocese of Ottawa's Communications & Development Office for the invitation! Photos: Ottawa Churches Chronicle.