HARCOURT MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH
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About Us

Harcourt Memorial United Church is a progressive, Affirming, greening church community providing space for people to explore and deepen their spiritual lives and their involvement in social justice.

Our core values include risk, respect, responsibility, vulnerability and trust.

Our purpose is to welcome and strengthen in community all who wish to serve God’s world and follow the way of Jesus.


We are on a journey from the current Community of Faith organizational structure towards empowering various communities of the faithful to live out their passion, one step at a time, into a future filled with experimentation and learning.

Together the staff and the members of the congregation form a welcoming, caring, and supportive Christian community.

A brief history
  • June 4th, 1887: Sunday school teachers from the Congregational Church on Norfolk Street started a Sunday school mission in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Guelph (south of the Speed River).
  • 1905: Chalmers Presbyterian Church became a partner to support the Congregational Church. A new, yellow brick building at the corner of Martin Avenue and Albert Street was dedicated to the venture
  • 1923: The former building became cramped, and in 1923, the Brooklyn Sunday School dedicated a large, new building on Martin Avenue.
  • 1955: The Brooklyn Mission began holding Sunday morning worship services due to the many young couples building houses in the area following World War II and the development of the three colleges on the hill (that later became the University of Guelph).
  • March 4, 1956: Became a congregation within the United Church of Canada. Caroline Forbes Harcourt and Robert Harcourt had been active leaders and benefactors of the mission, and the new church was named after them.
  • 1960: The congregation continued to grow and larger facilities were needed. Land was purchased on Dean Avenue.
  • January 7, 1962: The new church was dedicated. Additions and renovations were made in 1986.
  • 1978-1980: The congregation sponsored its first candidate for ministry and the Refugee Sponsorship Program started. Several families from Vietnam were sponsored, and later other families displaced by war. In 1980, the Student Internship Program began where the congregation and minister agreed to provide practical experience and guidance to future ministers of the United Church.
  • 1987: A second ministerial position was added to serve the needs of people of all ages and to assist with community outreach.
  • 2005: Harcourt became an Affirming Congregation, welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities into the life of the congregation.

Connect With Us

Harcourt Memorial United Church
87 Dean Avenue, Guelph, ON N1G 1L3
519-824-4177
office@harcourtcommunity.ca

We are located in the Old University neighbourhood, near the University of Guelph and Downtown Guelph, and accessible by Highway 6/the Hanlon and Guelph Transit. Parking available on-site.

Seeking Space?

Harcourt is proud to rent space to a number of groups and individuals, for uses including live music performances, sports & recreation groups, parties, events and more. We are excited to help you bring your idea to life.

Click below to see our rental spaces and rates or contact our office at office@harcourtcommunity.ca for more information.
Rental Spaces & Rates
The Harcourt logo with the inclusie Pride flag beside it.
  • About Us
    • Our Values & Partnerships
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Worship
    • This Sunday
    • Our Services
    • Music
    • Seeking Care
    • Life's Big Moments
  • Rentals
    • Rentals
    • Accessibility
  • Connect
    • New to Harcourt? >
      • Updates
      • Harcourt Herald
    • Our Groups
  • Donate