Sunday Services @ 11:00 am

St. Andrews

United Church

Nanaimo, BC  V9R 3A6

aw.ca | 250 . 753 . 1924

office.stauc@sha

315 Fitzwilliam St.

St. Andrew's United Church is a warm and inclusive community of faith located in the
heart of downtown Nanaimo.

Community

Join St. Andrews United Church

Wednesday Coffee

Every Wednesday from September through June

Thrift Store

Donations of clean items are always gladly accepted

Community Groups

St. Andrew's hosts many local community groups

Community Supports

Drop-in resource connection, every tuesday

Worship

Learn About Our Services

Our worship service takes place on Sunday morning at 11:00 am in-person in our beautiful sanctuary.

Typically this includes a land acknowledgment, prayers, singing of hymns as well as a choir anthem, a reading or two from the Bible, and a reflection from our minister connecting the Bible with our day-to-day lives.

We recognize that due to illness, mobility, or other reasons, not everyone is comfortable joining worship in the same physical space as others. We continue to offer the opportunity to participate in our worship service via Zoom. Email the office at: office.stauc@shaw.ca for the link.

Baptisms

Weddings

Funerals & Memorial

Upcoming Events

Join St. Andrews United Church

See All Events

St. Andrew's United Church is a warm and inclusive community of faith located in the
heart of downtown Nanaimo.

Built in 1893, St. Andrew’s United Church is a good example of Late Victorian church architecture. The church follows the square floor plan with second floor horseshoe gallery typical of Late Victorian Presbyterian churches, its original denomination. A large hall at the rear, built in 1927, features a two-storey auditorium with a balcony. The church retains much of its original character despite some later alterations, most notably a stucco finish over the original brick walls.

Still in use, the Church represents the historic and continuing spiritual, social and cultural importance of the building to Nanaimo. In addition to church services, the building has long hosted community events such as concerts and festivals.

St. Andrew’s United Church is significant because of its association with the historic national merger of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches in 1925 and it speaks to the historic and continuing complex and often divisive religious issues that confront communities. In Nanaimo, the merger was controversial. A large proportion of Presbyterians voted against union and the subsequent legal battle over the division of the property was the only union litigation case in British Columbia.

St. Andrew’s United Church is also significant because of its association with American architect Warren H. Hayes, a specialist in church design who is credited with the development of the diagonal auditorium form. He designed a number of buildings throughout the United States including the Scottish Rite Temple in Minneapolis and Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and is known to have provided the plans for at least two churches in Canada.

The manse, rock wall, landscaped grounds and attached hall all have a historic and physical relationship to the church and are an essential part of the site’s value.

The church’s tall bell tower and substantial mass dominate this corner of Fitzwilliam Street and make the building a highly visible historic landmark.

Land Acknowledgement:

We gather, on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw and acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
May we be blessed to walk together pursuing deepened understanding and fullness of reconciliation as people who seek to live with gratitude all our days.

Facilities

Our facilities have rooms and spaces available for rent by outside groups and organizations. For availability and rates, contact the church office by phone or email.

Sanctuary

Explore our beautiful sanctuary today

Hall

Hall measures approximately 45' x 48'

Meeting Room

This room is ideal for a small group

Kitchen

It features a long, center island and oven

Donate

To support the ministry of St. Andrew's United Church, you can contribute in several ways: by donating your timethrough volunteering with outreach programs like the Wednesday coffee and conversation or the thrift store; by sharing your talents in areas such as the choir, scripture reading, or committees; and by providing financial support.

Financial offerings can be conveniently made via e-transfer to office.stauc@shaw.ca, through the link to Canada Helps, via Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR), or in-person using the offering plates during Sunday worship.

Donate

About Us

Learn About Us

As a community of Faith, we identify ourselves as Christ Centered, Mission Focused, Love Filled, and Spirit Guided.

We are here if you desire a fulfilling life guided by spiritual principles and long for a safe, inclusive community in which to explore and grow your faith.

Located in the heart of one of the oldest neighborhoods, The Old City Quarter in Nanaimo, we are a thriving congregation of The United Church of Canada. We gather to celebrate the presence of God in our lives, to seek spiritual inspiration and guidance, and to serve the needs of others. We strive to be a community of caring, compassion, strength, and hope in a demanding and ever-changing world. We warmly welcome people of all ages and faith backgrounds to join us on our journey.

We WELCOME you to join us and get involved in our growing congregational community! EVERYONE IS WELCOME at St. Andrew’s United! We hope you will join us weekly on Sundays at 11am for our worship service! See you then!

FAQ

Find quick answers to the most common questions about joining us on Sundays.

Our worship service is held on Sunday morning at 11:00 am.
We also offer the opportunity to join the worship service via Zoom. Contact the church office for the link.

Some people like to dress up for church and others like to wear something more casual. Please wear what is most comfortable for you.

There are parking spaces in our lot next to the church. There is also street parking nearby on Wesley Street.

There will be times of prayer, both spoken and silent. There will be music and opportunities for you to join in the singing. There will be at least one reading from the Bible. There's a reflection time (sometimes called the sermon) where our minister connects the Biblical story to our every day lives. After the service, there is a time for connecting with others over coffee, tea, and goodies.

There will be times of prayer, both spoken and silent. There will be music and opportunities for you to join in the singing. There will be at least one reading from the Bible. There's a reflection time (sometimes called the sermon) where our minister connects the Biblical story to our every day lives. After the service, there is a time for connecting with others over coffee, tea, and goodies.

Children are welcome to stay with their parents, grandparents, or guardians throughout the service. There is also a small table near the back of the sanctuary with toys and colouring sheets.

No. There are people from all different backgrounds attending St. Andrew's United Church. Some people have been going to church for a long time, while others are new to church and faith. The most important thing is that we are each on a journey trying to figure out how to live a life that follows the teachings of Jesus.

Community

Every Sunday at 11:00 am. In-person or virtually via Zoom live from the front of the Sanctuary.

Contact

315 Fitzwilliam St. Nanaimo, BC  V9R 3A6

office.stauc@shaw.ca

250 . 753 . 1924

Office Hours

Mon 9:30am-2pm

Tue 9:30am-2pm

Wed Closed

Thur 9:30am-2pm

Fri 9:30am-2pm

Sat Closed

*Sun 11am

2025 © St. Andrews United Church. - All Rights Reserved / Made with 🤍 by Mindsai

St. Andrews

Donate

Baptisms

​The celebration of baptism typically takes place as part of our regular Sunday worship service.

We baptize people of all ages, from infants to adults.

We believe that baptism proclaims the love of God for all people, and is an act of welcome, blessing, and belonging.
​
Classes are held from time to time for parents seeking baptism for their children, or for adults seeking to be baptized themselves. Speak to our minister for more information.

Donate

Donations are now accepted by e-transfer directly to the Church's email address: office.stauc@shaw.ca

E-transfers are automatically deposited and will receive a charitable donation receipt in January for tax purposes.

​If you donate through Canada Helps, your charitable donation receipt will be issued by the Canada Helps organization.

WEDNESDAY COFFEE & CONVERSATION

Every Wednesday at 9:00AM-11:30AM, St. Andrew’s United Church opens its doors for a free Community Coffee Time, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds gather, relax, and enjoy good company. Guests are invited to share in live music, fresh coffee and tea, and a selection of muffins and treats – all in a warm, caring and fully inclusive environment. This outreach ministry is rooted in our commitment to offer a place of connection, conversation, and belonging for everyone in our neighborhood.

Whether you come often or are visiting for the first time, you’ll always find a friendly welcome here, at St. Andrew’s United Church Nanaimo! (Please note: Coffee Time pauses during Christmas break and the summer months of July and August).

Thrift Store

The St. Andrew’s Thrift Store is a fun, quirky and much-loved part of Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter.

Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-3:30pm, our volunteer-run shop offers a wide variety of gently used women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, household items, small kitchen appliances, and books.

We gladly welcome donations of clean, gently used goods during store hours. Every purchase and every donation supports the St. Andrew’s United Church Building Fund, helping us care for and maintain our historic space.

Whether you’re treasure-hunting, browsing, or stopping by for a friendly chat, you’ll always find a warm welcome here.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

Weddings

Weddings are great celebrations of love and hope. As we are a community of faith, all of our wedding services include prayers, vows, readings, and references to God.

Our minister works with couples in helping you make your special day as memorable as we can, and will help customize content to suit you as a couple.

When planning your wedding, call or email us early in the process to secure your ideal date. Once the date is secured via a refundable deposit, our minister will meet with you to plan your ceremony.

FUNERALS & MEMORIAL SERVICES

Funerals and Memorial Services are as unique as the person’s life being celebrated and remembered. Our minister can assist you in planning a service for a loved one or in pre-planning your own funeral or memorial service.
​
A call to us when a loved one has died will open the door to support and comfort in your time of grief and loss. In addition to assisting you with the service, St. Andrew's United Church can also provide ongoing support in your time of grief.

Sanctuary

Our beautiful sanctuary features fabulous acoustics suitable for concerts. choirs and performances. With capacity for 350, it is also ideal for weddings, funerals, and other large celebrations. The main floor is wheelchair accessible via the hall.

Hall

Our hall is a large space suitable for meetings, small concerts, and performances. Tables and chairs are available for use, as well as a stage. With a seating capacity of 125, this space is ideal for medium-size groups. Features include an accessible entrance from the Wesley street doors, convinient washrooms, and an adjoining kitchen. Hall measures approximately 45' x 48'

Meeting Room

Our kitchen is available for use by itself, or along with the use of the hall. It features a long, centre island that is ideal for food preparation. The kitchen also has a standard oven, as well as an industrial dishwasher.