Mission Statement

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Inspired by the Holy Spirit, acting in compassion and love, we at St. Andrew's United Church seek to develop an atmosphere of warmth and welcome in the beauty of this historic and spiritual house of worship. As a traditional congregation, it is our purpose to provide an opportunity  for people of all ages to learn of and grow in faith; to experience the joy and hope found in the teachings  and promises of our Lord Jesus Christ and to develop a fellowship  and bond with our local and global community.

Our History
St. Andrew's United Church holds an honourable place in Nanaimo history. The first church on this site was a wooden structure in the Gothic Revival style. The cornerstone of this imposing brick landmark church was laid in 1893. The earlier wooden structure was incorporated into the later church hall in 1927. The architect of the brick church was Warren Hayes, who was born in New York and later settled in Minneapolis. He was regarded as a specialist in church design, and is credited with developing the diagonal form of auditorium, of which this church is a very fine example. It is thought to be one of two like architectural design buildings in Canada. The contractor for building was W. N. Shaw.

The church has a high central hipped roof and lantern, and symmetrical cross-gabled was wall dormers. The tall bell tower is a landmark in the area. This picturesque and complicated roofline is typical of the late Victorian period. The construction is brick throughout, with sandstone trim and drip moldings. A coat of rough cast pebble-dash stucco has been applied over the original brick façade because of the deteriorating state of the soft bricks. Tall stained glass windows fill the round-arched openings. Because of the fine acoustics, it is regularly used by professional choirs, orchestras, and other musical groups in concert.