Grace-Westminster United Church
A community of care in the heart of Nutana
Grace-Westminster’s story is one of growth, resilience, and community. It all began in the vibrant Nutana neighborhood of Saskatoon, where two neighboring congregations—one Methodist and one Presbyterian—came together.
The Methodist Mission, founded at the very start of Saskatoon’s settlement on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, was the first to establish roots.
As the fledgling community struggled to find its place, so did this early congregation, gathering in whatever spaces they could find—from the open air to pioneer homes and the Stone School. Leaders like John and Silas Lake, along with local lay people and student missionaries, guided their worship.
In 1884, the church secured the land that would become its future home. By 1886, the first Official Board meeting was held, and on January 15, 1893, a new church was dedicated on that site. The congregation would later adopt the name Grace Methodist Church in 1910, a tribute to Grace Fletcher, one of its founding members.
Across the river, Knox Church, the first Presbyterian congregation in Saskatoon, was growing too. In 1913, Westminster was born in Nutana when a new Presbyterian church was established in the area. As Saskatoon boomed, many families from Knox joined Westminster, making it a lively, growing congregation. In 1925, both Grace and Westminster became part of the newly formed United Church of Canada, continuing as neighbors with their own distinct missions and communities.
As the city expanded, younger families moved to the suburbs, affecting the attendance and financial health of both churches. By 1968, the time felt right for them to come together. Grace Church had expanded with an auditorium, new offices, and Sunday School rooms, and it was chosen as the home for the newly formed Grace-Westminster congregation.
Since that moment of amalgamation, the church has experienced continuous transformation. Most recently adapting to include online services, Grace-Westminster is constantly reinventing itself to better serve the community. While much has changed, one thing remains constant: a deep commitment to faithful stewardship and embracing new beginnings. Who knows what the future holds, but we trust in God's guidance every step of the way.