St. Andrew's Ottawa

about us: photo tour

The people of St. Andrew's have gathered to join in Christian worship at the corner of Wellington at Kent every Sunday since September 28, 1828. We are committed to growing and maintaining a Christian witness in the heart of our nation's capital. A history of the church and the church building can be read here.

The original church building was erected at the corner of Wellington and Kent in 1828 and the current building between 1872 and 1874. During the 1970's and 80's, a large scale reconstruction project was completed to erect the current office building and to restore and renovate the interior of the church. The reconstruction project was part of a recommitment to serving God at the very centre of the city - the architectural connection between the church and the office building is an outward symbol of this vision.

Every year the gardens surrounding the church bloom, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers. Tulip bulbs were donated by the Dutch Embassy in honour of the Dutch Royal family who, during WWII worshipped at St. Andrew's during their stay in Ottawa.

Dedicated in May 2006, this life-sized bronze sculpture was created by artist Timothy P. Schmalz. It is inspired by Matthew 25: ...Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me. The statue sits just off the sidewalk, to the east of the Wellington Street doors, more on this statue can be read here.

Each Sunday morning during the 11:00 a.m. service (10 a.m. during July and August), the children gather for a time just for them, before leaving to join their age-specific classes. You can read more on our Church School here.

The sanctuary in which the church family gathers is surrounded by stained glass windows. We invite you to read more about some of our stained glass windows.

The choir joins the organ during the 11:00 a.m. service to lead the congregation in worship.

The three manual organ was built by the firm Guilbault-Therien, Inc of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. More details on the organ are available here, or you can listen to a sample of the organ here.

The orientation of the pews is typical to churches of the reformed tradition that emphasizes the spoken Word of God (readings, sermons and prayers) and the role of the teacher (minister) as the leader of worship. The concept of gathering around the teacher stems from the Jewish tradition - people gathering around the Rabbi in a Synagogue and also the early Christian Church where people gathered in homes and open settings to hear the Word of God. The high pulpit, which is undoubtedly the central architectural focus of the interior, emphasizes this tradition. You can read this week's order of service here.

about us: photo tour: representative stained glass windows

The North Balcony
When the church building was originally constructed in 1873, the windows were all of coloured glass set in geometric designs, consciously avoiding any representations of the human or divine. The large window over the north balcony, and the clerestory windows that line the highest level of the sanctuary, remain from this time period. Over the generations since, others have been replaced by leading workshops in Scotland and Canada.
(Photo by Elizabeth Phillipson)

The Dorcas Window
The Fleck Ahearn Memorial Window (1894) commemorates Lilias Fleck and her daughter Lilias Ahearn, and is often called the Dorcas Window. The scene finds its inspiration in the Acts of the Apostles 9:36-41 and the description of Dorcas, sometimes known as Tabitha, who was an early Christian woman beloved for her acts of charity in Joppa, a city on the Mediterranean coast between Caesarea and Gaza. We are told that she gave money to those in need, and fed and sewed clothes for the poor. Just over this scene stands the risen Lord, and just below are inscribed the words of our Lord ‘In as much as ye have done it to one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.’

This window was presented ‘to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Lilias Fleck who died June 12, 1890 and her daughter Lilias M. Ahearn, who died August 22, 1888.’ This is a signed Robert McCausland window. The Toronto-based McCausland firm, established in 1856, is the oldest continuing stained glass window maker in North America, and in times past had an office in Ottawa. Robert was the eldest son, partner, and successor of Joseph McCausland.
(Photo by Elizabeth Phillipson)

Fishers of Men
This window portrays Christ calling Peter and Andrew to be disciples: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). The Wilson family chose this theme because of their deep attachment to St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea, N.B. The window, given by the family, honours Norman Frank Wilson (1875-1956) and his wife, the Hon. Cairine Ray Wilson (1885-1962), devoted members of St. Andrew's Church. Norman Wilson was born on the family farm in Cumberland, graduated from Upper Canada College, then from the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph. After farming for a few years, he joined the C.W. Edwards lumber business, first in Rockland, then in Ottawa. Norman Wilson served as the youngest member in the House of Commons from 1904 to 1909. He also served as a long-time board member and president of the Perley Home, and as a Glebe Trustee for 20 years (1932-1953). Cairine Reay Wilson, the daughter of Senator Robert Mackay of Montreal, devoted her life to social welfare and humanitarian work, especially among immigrants, women and youth. Named Canada's first woman Senator on February 15, 1930, she is ever remembered for her tireless efforts to open Canada's borders to desperate refugees from Europe in the turmoil of the 1930's and the post-war period. In 1949 she was named Canada's first woman delegate to the United Nations.

This rendition of the calling of Saints Peter and Andrew derives from a Byzantine mosaic in the church of San Apollonare Nuova in Ravenna, Italy. The window was designed and executed by Theo Lubbers of Montreal.
(Photo by Elizabeth Phillipson)

The Memorial Window
It was during 1925 that the work of preparation and installation of the war memorial window was completed. The undertaking had been in progress for several years, the cost - approximating $7,000 - having been defrayed by contributions by members of the congregation. The window is regarded as a magnificent example of this form of art and is by James Ballantine, F.S.A. Scot. Edinburgh. It was unveiled on Sunday, December 13, 1925, by His Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Byng of Vimy, then Governor-General of Canada. The Rev. Thomas Eakin, D.D., preached the sermon while The Rev. A.M. Gordon, D.D., delivered the dedicatory address.

The theme of the memorial is:
The Angel of Peace, radiant in light, free and unfettered, bringing the divine message of hope and ultimate triumph to humanity. Dominating all is the Christ in Majesty, and the supreme symbols, Alpha and Omega, in recognition that Emmanuel - “God with us” - is a reality.

The Angel is boldly portrayed as a young man, with arms extended in deliverance, illustrating the words:
“AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH”.

Below this are grouped figures of types representing Adventure, (Explorer); Knowledge, (Scholar); Sacrifice, in pursuit of high and unselfish ends, (Knight) - the keynote of the Memorial; Statesmanship, (King); Industry, (Craftsman); Patience,(Womanhood); Confidence and Courage, (Youth).

At the foot is the following dedicatory inscription:
'They overcame … and they loved not their lives unto death'.

This Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m. ~ 82 Kent Street, Ottawa ~ 613.232.9042
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