Visit
22 Chemin d'AylmerBristol, QC J0X 1G0Gathering: Sunday 10:30am (Sunday Service)
When to go
Worship and gatherings
- Sunday10:30am · Sunday Service
About
Summary
The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa is a welcoming, inclusive community located on the shores of the Ottawa River. Founded in 1898 and now based at 30 Cleary Avenue, the congregation is rooted in Unitarian Universalist principles and offers Sunday services at 10:30am, community programs, and social justice initiatives. Known for its commitment to compassion and inclusivity, FirstU is a vibrant space for people of all backgrounds, with visitors noting the warmth and openness of the community. The church is also a popular venue for weddings, concerts, and other events, featuring beautiful architecture and acoustics.
Details
The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa is a liberal, multigenerational community that has been serving the Ottawa area since 1898. Located at 30 Cleary Avenue, the congregation is part of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, emphasizing inclusivity, compassion, and social justice. The church is known for its welcoming atmosphere, with visitors often noting the warmth and openness of the community. The mid-century modern building is praised for its architecture and acoustics, making it a popular venue for weddings, concerts, and other events. The congregation offers a variety of programs and ministries, including religious exploration for children and youth, small group ministry, choirs, social and personal growth events, social justice action groups, and community events and outreach. The church is fully wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and designated seating areas for individuals with mobility challenges. However, it is important to note that the sanctuary does not have air conditioning, which may be a consideration for visitors with heat intolerance on warmer days.
From Faith Near Me
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa offers a welcoming, inclusive space on the Ottawa River, rooted in Unitarian Universalist principles. First-time visitors will notice a warm, open atmosphere with Sunday services at 10:30am, community programs for all ages, and a modern building praised for its acoustics and accessibility. The congregation emphasizes social justice and hosts events ranging from worship to concerts, fostering a vibrant, multigenerational community.
Pros
- Welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all backgrounds
- Inclusive Sunday services at 10:30am with multigenerational programming
- Wheelchair accessible facilities with elevator and designated seating
- Acoustically excellent venue for concerts and events
- Clear schedule with posted service times and recurring community events
- Offers family-friendly programs including religious exploration for children and youth
Cons
- Sanctuary lacks air conditioning, which may affect visitors sensitive to heat on warm days
Reviews from around the web
Public comments we collected from listing sources. Not written on Faith Near Me.
- Kassya Murray6 years ago
I married my husband here June 15th, 2019 and I realized I never wrote a review!!! I still have people complementing the beauty of the church in our photos almost a year later! My parents married here in 1997 and it is still just as beautiful. My family and my husband's family are not religious, this church is very accepting of ALL types of people- religious or not. We met with our officiant, Alex C., months prior to our wedding to discuss what we were looking for in our ceremony. He also asked a few questions about our relationship so he could get to know us better and make the experience more personal! We were assisted the whole way through planning the ceremony. We opted in for a rehearsal as well the day before. and it ran smoothly. On the day of the wedding, our officiant was Alex, did everything in his power to make sure everything went according to plan! We did a candle ceremony with our parents and it went perfectly. We couldn't have had a better experience. I recommend getting married or having celebrations at this church.
- Ward Normandin4 months ago
We really enjoyed being in this mid-century modern building, not just for the architecture, but the Sunday service was really inclusive which is liberating.
- CR Ruana month ago
Just attend. You will be changed. For the better in ways small and not small.
- Ellaa year ago
Such a wonderful church and rental space. I’ve gone here for kid programs, bake sales, and church since I was a kid. It’s run by wonderful people and they are so accepting and welcoming of everyone. There’s also a lot of teen activities (I’m one). For renting areas, my friend sings some of her singing lesson concerts in the main area and it’s beautiful acoustics. Overall, I really love this church
- Farshid Sadatsharifi3 years ago
I had an amazing experience at this conveniently located place. The staff and volunteers were incredibly friendly, making it truly exceptional. I highly recommend visiting and/or using it for your workshops!
- Share Taylora year ago
Fully wheelchair accessible including the washroom. There is an elevator. The sanctuary has areas for wheelchairs with regular seating beside them. The only issue is there isn't any air conditioning. If you have a condition which causes heat intolerance you may have issues on warmer/hot days.
- Jo Anderson2 years ago
It was good for my first time visiting. Everyone seemed welcoming and friendly. The service was nice with really atmosphere. There was a story read for the children and the theme for the service was on kindness. I was emotional a few times, being touched by their words. Well done. After, there was tea and coffee with cookies etc and people chat after. If you're new, you can choose to use a green mug which lets people know you're new and others will say hello. Great idea for those who are shy. (Like me) I think I'll go back next week.
- Duo d'Amore12 years ago
Our string duo (violin and cello) performed here for a wedding ceremony on November 2, 2013, and enjoyed the beautiful space. It was a delight!
- Haihong Xie7 years ago
We hold a piano concert there. Plenty of parking slots, spacy, clean and neat inside. Beautiful triangle piano.
- Galaxy Wozniak6 months ago
Very open minded and welcoming.
Services and facilities
Services
- Religious Exploration For Children And Youth
- Small Group Ministry
- Choirs
- Social And Personal Growth Events
- Social Justice Action Groups
- Community Events And Outreach
- Wedding Ceremonies
- Concerts And Music Events
Facilities
- Worship Hall
- Fellowship Hall
- Outdoor Spaces
- Elevator
- Wheelchair Accessible Areas
- Parking
- Acoustically Sound Spaces For Concerts And Events
Events and programs
FirstU Building Tour
First Sunday of every month
A monthly tour of the FirstU campus, starting at the Lectern in Worship Hall at 11:45am after the Sunday service.
Games Night
First and third Wednesdays of every month at 6:30pm
A social event featuring board games and cards in Room Three.
Connect
- Contact page
- Open contact page