Cherokee Park United Church

Cherokee Park United Church is a theologically and spiritually progressive community of faith, deeply rooted in the call to justice.

The mission statement proclaims "Cherokee Park United Church is called to a life of compassionate justice and to embody the boundless love of Jesus. We confess that communities of faith have not always celebrated the dignity and joyful diversity of all God’s creation. Therefore, we declare Cherokee Park United Church to be an inclusive, multicultural, antiracist, justice-seeking, environmentally responsible community of faith. We seek a new humanity where sexual orientation, age, gender, culture or differing abilities are no longer a barrier to our living in just relationship. To fulfill our mission we will turn to the Holy Spirit and to each other with our questions and for our answers".

 

Cherokee Park United Church is a central city congregation formed in 1968 as the result of a merger between Cherokee Heights Presbyterian Church, founded in 1912 and St. John’s United Church of Christ, founded one block away in 1920.  In 1980 there were three catholic congregations and five historic protestant congregations on St. Paul’s West Side.  Although, there are a number of small Pentecostal congregations, the Catholic and the historic Protestant congregations have been the primary source of faith based community leadership and engagement.  Today there are two Catholic Churches on the West Side.  Cherokee Park United Church is the only remaining historic Protestant church.  Although Cherokee Park United Church is modest in size, with approximately 140 members, the Church remains a strong and vital presence, which is a testimony to the commitment of its members to the neighborhood and its residents.  The Congregation’s commitment to St. Paul’s West Side is reflected in programs serving the community, numerous collaborations with other community groups, and its readiness to offer its space as a community resource.