Overview

A rich and progressive faith in the Eastern Townships

We are a dynamic and vibrant worshipping community in the heart of Quebec’s Eastern Townships.  Young and old come together every Sunday morning and throughout the week to worship God, to seek justice in the world through the Spirit, and to nurture our spiritual lives in relationship with Jesus Christ. 

We come from many different backgrounds and traditions, but we are brought together in the rich and progressive faith of the United Church of Canada.  Our church is inclusive of people of all genders, languages, sexualities, and ethnicities, and honours the dignity of every human being as a child of God created in Grace. Whether you are new to exploring your spirituality or whether you are a long time church member, you are welcome to join with us in this place.  

Our history & Building

Elevator for reduced mobility access

Congregational worship services were first held in the Cowansville courthouse around 1844. The original Congregational church was built in 1852 but was torn down and replaced in 1890 by the present Emmanuel United Church building. This red brick church, with its Gothic style and spire of 120 feet in height, cost $6000. to build at that time.

The United Church of Canada was formed in 1925 and it was decided by joint committees to use this Congregational church for the new “Emmanuel United Church”.

During the 1940s the 120 foot high steeple was removed due to its instability in high winds. There were additional renovations during the 1950s including the construction of a “Christian Education” wing which now houses the church offices and meeting rooms.

By the end of the 1960s, Grace United Church-Farnham, Brigham United Church and East-Farnham had joined Emanuel United Church to establish the Cowansville Area Pastoral Charge – CAPC.

Since November 2010, our building has benefitted from ownership by the Seven Churches and Charitable Works Foundation. We are grateful for their partnership.

United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada. We minister to over 2 million people in about 3,000 congregations. The history of the United Church is closely entwined with the history of Canada itself.  

The United Church was inaugurated on June 10, 1925 in Toronto, Ontario, when the Methodist Church, Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church of Canada entered into a union. Also joining was the small General Council of Union Churches, centred largely in Western Canada. It was the first union of churches in the world to cross historical denominational lines and received international acclaim.