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Highlands United Church · Edmonton
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About us

A neighbourhood church since 1912.

Our building and community have grown and changed over the years. Through it all, the heart of the church — people coming together — has remained the same.

The front entrance of Highlands United Church on a summer morning, brick steps and wooden doors

Our story

Rooted here, open to everyone.

We are situated in the historic and charming community of Highlands, and we have been blessed with a sanctuary and facility that is in keeping with the neighbourhood and just lends itself to worship. Our Ministry of Music soothes the soul, with a full complement of exceptional instrumentation — from the pipe organ and grand piano to the choir and handbells.

As part of the United Church of Canada, we understand our mission as a deep, bold, and daring call to live out the inclusive, world-changing love of God for all persons — regardless of where they are from, what faith they are connected to, their abilities, how they identify, or who they love.

Our history matters — but what matters just as much is what comes next. You don’t need a church background to be part of this community. Whether you’re exploring, looking for connection, or just curious, there’s space for you here.

The chancel: the communion table with its cross and open Bible, the stained glass and dove banner above
The 1923 sanctuary: timber beams, stained glass, and a century of Sundays.

Looking ahead

Reimagining what comes next

In fall 2024, our community made the decision to begin exploring what comes next for Highlands United Church. You might hear this called our Legacy Project — but really, it’s about reimagining how we can:

  • Stay connected to our roots
  • Be open and relevant to today’s world
  • Continue supporting our neighbourhood in practical, caring ways

This is an ongoing journey, and there’s space for new ideas, new people, and new ways of being community.

Be part of the story

Come visit. Join an event. Be part of what’s growing. We’d love to have you with us.

Plan a visit See what’s on

History

The building and its neighbourhood

  1. 1912

    The Highlands area is just being developed, and this growing community wants a church of its own. By year’s end, Highlands Methodist Church is built — the building still belongs to the church today as the manse.

  2. 1913

    The congregation outgrows the first building so quickly that summer services are held at the local curling rink while the “Little White Church” is built.

  3. 1923

    On December 11, the current sanctuary holds its first service.

  4. 1950s

    An addition brings the front entryway, parlour, and upper hall for a growing membership.

  5. 1970

    A Neutel pipe organ with 862 pipes is installed, so glorious music can be heard throughout the building.

  6. 1992

    A built-in baptismal fountain is installed and a grand piano purchased for the sanctuary.

  7. 2001

    An elevator is added to serve members and visitors with decreased mobility.

  8. 2018

    A fire causes significant damage, leading to a full interior renovation.

  9. 2019

    On October 6, the congregation celebrates the grand re-opening of the restored building.

The original white frame Highlands Methodist Church in 1914, photographed from the street
The “Little White Church,” 1914 — when the Highlands were brand new.

“Highlands Methodist Church, Edmonton, Alberta.”, 1914, (CU153908) by McDermid Studio. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

Wartime Highlands & a busy Sunday school

Even with the minister away serving overseas during the Second World War, Highlands remained an extremely active church. There were both junior and senior choirs, and the church ran a huge Sunday school — meeting in every spare nook and cranny of the church and the manse, from the choir loft to the kitchen.

The Explorers Sunday school group of 1953
The Explorers, 1953.
The 2018 fire and restoration

On September 14, 2018, a fire caused significant damage to the building. What followed says everything about this congregation: a full interior renovation, neighbours and friends rallying around, and on October 6, 2019, a joyful grand re-opening — a service, special music, and an open house. We have much to be thankful for.

Firefighters responding to the September 2018 fire at Highlands United Church
September 14, 2018.
Part of the United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada is a uniquely Canadian denomination, formed in 1925 when Methodist, Congregational, and many Presbyterian churches amalgamated with a shared vision of unity and service. Today it is known for its focus on community and social justice, openness to questions and different perspectives, and a commitment to inclusion and care for others.

Learn more at united-church.ca.

The Memorial Window

Glass gathered from the ruins of war, remade into light.

One of the most poignant and unique features of our church — and one of Edmonton’s quiet treasures.

The Memorial Window: stained glass fragments from wartime Europe set in a dark arched wooden frame, surrounding an illuminated scroll of names
The Memorial Window, in the sanctuary narthex.

During the Second World War, our minister at the time — Rev. T.R. Davies — served as a padre with the Canadian Army in Europe. While there, he carefully collected pieces of stained glass from churches that had been destroyed in the war, recording the history of each fragment.

Each piece has its own story. Together, they were brought home and assembled into the window you can see today — a powerful reminder of resilience, history, and hope.

The window was featured by CBC News: “Edmonton church window built out of shards from Europe’s WWII battlefields.”

A Remembrance Day wreath and poppies beside the Memorial Window, with a cadet and veterans standing by the flags
Remembrance Day at the window — the names it holds are still honoured every November.

The window’s atlas

Where each piece of glass came from

24 panes · France · Germany · Holland

Labelled diagram of the Memorial Window identifying the origin of each piece of stained glass by letter
Rev. Davies’ key to the window — each letter marks a fragment below.
  • A Brettville, France
  • B Rindern, Germany
  • C Xanten, Germany
  • D Frasselt, Germany
  • E Bertin, Germany
  • F Cleve, Germany
  • G Calcar, Germany
  • H Arnhem, Holland
  • I Katwyk, Holland
  • J Duffelmarch, Germany
  • K Louisendorf, Germany
  • L Marienbaum, Germany
  • M Fontenay, France
  • N St. André-sur-Orne, France
  • O Fleury-sur-Orne, France
  • P May-sur-Orne, France
  • Q Gouvix, France
  • R Lisieux, France
  • S Bremen, Germany
  • T Gronigen, Holland
  • U May-sur-Orne, France
  • V Norden, Germany
  • W Ifs, France
  • X Caen, France

Land acknowledgement

Highlands United Church gathers on Treaty 6 territory and the Métis homeland — the traditional lands of the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Saulteaux, Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to enrich this place. We are grateful to live, worship, and serve here.