Worship Style

St. Andrew's Memorial Presbyterian Church conducts Sunday morning worship in a traditional Presbyterian manner. Presently there is a single morning service, beginning at 10:30 a. m.

The hymns we use are taken from the 1972 Presbyterian Book of Praise. The contents of this book include the Psalms as well as the rich musical history of the church universal.

The choir of St. Andrew's adds a ministry of music from a wide range of sources, including the masters (Bach, Mozart, etc.), and traditional church anthems, as well as some modern composers. The junior and cherub choirs also minister in worship on a monthly basis.    >> more Choir

During the worship, we endeavour to address particular attention to the young people, in the form of a children's story from the minister. This story helps to educate the children, helps them realize their importance as people of worship, and affords the opportunity for the children and the minister to build a special relationship of trust with each other.

The sermon is based strongly on Scripture, and communicates the relevancy of God's Word to our situation in today's life and society. It is important to have God's guidance in our personal relationships, in our family lives, and in our daily contacts with people. The sermon is a means to hear God speaking to us through His Word and giving us the guidance we need.

Vision

To bring the Word of God to all people.

Mission

St. Andrew's Memorial Presbyterian Church exists to glorify God by bringing the Word of God to the congregation, the community and the world through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

History of St. Andrew's

A committee was appointed by the Presbytery of Toronto, in October 1890, to organize a regular congregation in Port Credit . With approval of members and adherents, this congregation was organized at a meeting on November 3rd, 1890. A month later, a building committee under the leadership of John Gray was formed, and as a result, the construction of a new church began at the intersection of Church & Elizabeth Streets. The new church was dedicated and opened for services on Sunday, January 17, 1892, by The Rev. R. J. Glassford of Streetsville. However, the first ordained minister of the congregation was The Rev. A. R. Linton.

In the early years, the church was known as the Port Credit Presbyterian Church. It was not until 1918 that the name of St. Andrew's was adopted. It was around this time that plans were made to build a new "Memorial" church, though the project was delayed for several years because of strife over the question of church union. This "church union"was proposed as a union of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches in Canada, eventually leading to the creation of The United Church of Canada in 1925.

However, dispute arose over perceived differences in doctrine between many of the Presbyterian churches on the one hand, and the proposed new United Church on the other. In June, 1925, the St. Andrew's congregation voted against union, and for continuing as a separate Presbyterian church, a position which was against the expressed wishes of the Presbyterian church establishment at the time.

The outcome of this controversy, from the congregational standpoint, was upheaval. Reorganization began immediately after the key decision against union, and the building of the new "Memorial" church finally got the go-ahead in April, 1927. It was constructed on the present site on Stavebank Road, and was dedicated and opened in the following year. A number of features in the Sanctuary commemorate those in the congregation who served and gave their lives in the two world wars.

The post-war period witnessed a huge expansion in the congregation, and in 1954 a decision was made to expand the church facilities with the addition of a Christian education wing and a church hall. This work was started in May 1955, and was completed and dedicated in February 1956. The existing church, with the completed extension, constitutes the facility which continues in use to this day.