|
|
WoodGreen
United Church
"A
Caring Neighbour Since 1875"
|
| WoodGreen United Church
began 1875 as part of the Methodist church. The first structures at
Strange and Queen were built in 1875. |
| The church served 18,000,
60% who were dependent on city relief. During the depression in 1931
the church operated and bought 37 Boulton Avenue. The doors of the
house were painted red so people in need would know what house to
come to. The first floor was the office, the second floor the home
of Ray McCleary and the third floor was for the homeless. Shortly
after the church basement became the first nursery school run by the
Junior League. |
| The First phase began
in 1937 and the Wood Green Settlement Trust was set up with the expressed
aim of helping, spiritual, social and education work. The site for
the WoodGreen Community Site was purchased. The Centre was finished
in 1947 and served 25,000 people with Seniors Clubs, Couples Club,
Nursery School and more. The church provided social and physical activities,
counseling and Christmas Hampers for those in need. |
| The second phase began
with the purchase of our current site and Neighborhood house in 1956.
Cornerstones were laid on October 15, 1958. |
| The church moved away
from Christmas hampers to giving recipients financial support so they
could make appropriate Christmas purchases. This we call Share-A-Christmas
which is also shared with other churches and groups in the area. |
| We provide a free tax
clinic to help those unable to complete the forms and on fixed and
low incomes. |
| Increasingly there was
ongoing homelessness so in 1982 Neighborhood House was opened and
called the Red Door Shelter. Our history explains the name. The goal
was to help provide temporary shelter to homeless families and women
escaping abuse. |
| Hunger is
a persistent issue here. So for the past 6 years we have joined other
churches in providing a free meal one night a month year round. |
| On Saturday nights we
present our contemporary worship "Sprit Happening" which began in
1994. It is our hope that between our Sunday Worship and Contemporary
Worship people will continue to love God and share the blessing s
received from God. |
| The work and tradition
goes on and as we celebrate 125 years as a caring community of faith
we plan for not only the present but also for the future. |
|
|
