Rosedale United Church

Rosedale United Church is a Christian congregation and community hub located at 159 Roxborough Drive in the Rosedale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The church building, completed in 1913 and designed by architect John Gemmell in the Gothic Revival style, was originally known as the Northern Congregational Church until 1925, when it became part of the United Church of Canada. The congregation describes itself as an inclusive Christian faith community grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, gathering for worship, pastoral care, and service, and opening its doors to the wider Toronto community for weddings, baptisms, and celebrations of life. Alongside its religious mission, Rosedale United Church operates The Rosedale Centre, a secular community space under a separate brand. The Centre offers music, arts, wellness, and social programming for all ages, hosts concerts, art exhibitions, community meetings, and educational workshops, and rents spaces for performances, gatherings, and private events. It partners with local artists, educators, and organizations to support cultural expression and connection. The building includes three levels of community space, fully accessible by a lift, an art gallery featuring local artists, and a recycled book room supporting community outreach. The sanctuary is noted for its Gothic Revival architecture, with pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, and stained glass windows. It houses a Casavant Frères pipe organ, Opus 591, built in 1914 and revised in 2005 with a new console; it has 35 stops, 44 ranks, and 2,637 pipes. The church is a CRA-registered charity (Business No: 119123370RR0001) and accepts donations through monthly pre-authorized remittance, e-transfer, CanadaHelps, and cheque. Its ministry includes vibrant worship, transformative music, pastoral care, community outreach, and inclusive programming. The current senior minister is Rev. Dr. Kristin Philipson, and Dr. Sarah Svendsen is also listed as a service leader.

Rosedale United Church traces its origins to the Northern Congregational Church, whose building at the corner of 159 Roxborough Drive and Glen Road in Toronto was completed in 1913. The church was designed by architect John Gemmell in the Gothic Revival style, characterized by dramatic verticality, pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, and intricate detailing. In 1925, the congregation became part of the United Church of Canada and adopted the name Rosedale United Church. The sanctuary's architecture was designed with acoustics in mind, enhancing the sound of the Casavant Frères pipe organ, Opus 591, built in 1914. The organ underwent revisions and additions in 2005, including a new console, and today has 35 stops, 44 ranks, and 2,637 pipes. Over time, the church expanded its community outreach, and under the secular brand The Rosedale Centre, it now offers music, arts, wellness, and social programming for all ages, hosts concerts, art exhibitions, community meetings, and educational workshops, and rents spaces for performances, gatherings, and private events. The building includes three levels of community space, fully accessible by a lift, an art gallery featuring local artists, and a recycled book room supporting community outreach. The church is a CRA-registered charity (Business No: 119123370RR0001) and continues to serve as a hub for both faith and community in Toronto.

• 2005

  Pipe organ underwent revisions and additions, including a new console.

• 1925

  Congregation became part of the United Church of Canada and adopted the name Rosedale United Church.

• 1914

  Casavant Frères pipe organ, Opus 591, built.

• 1913

  Construction of the church building completed; originally known as the Northern Congregational Church.

An inclusive Christian faith community and secular community hub in Toronto, committed to compassion, justice, and human flourishing.

• Worship services

  Regular Christian worship services, including Easter and Christmas services.

• Weddings, baptisms, and celebrations of life

  The church opens its doors to the wider Toronto community for life's important moments.

• The Rosedale Centre programs

  Secular community space offering music, arts, wellness, and social programming for all ages.

• Space rentals

  Rental of spaces for performances, gatherings, and private events.

• Art gallery

  Gallery featuring local artists.

• Recycled book room

  A recycled book room supporting community outreach initiatives.

1. 1Rosedale United Church & The Rosedale Centre Torontorosedaleunited.org
2. 2Donate to Rosedale | Rosedale United Churchrosedaleunited.org
3. 3About the Building | Rosedale United Church Torontorosedaleunited.org
4. 4Past Services | Rosedale United Churchrosedaleunited.org
5. 5Rosedale United Churchwikidata.org