First United Church (Ottawa)

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The current home of First United Church at the corner of Kent and Florence
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The current home of First United Church at the corner of Kent and Florence

First United Church is a United Church of Canada congregation in Ottawa, Canada. One of Ottawa's oldest congregations, the church formed in 1846. Sometime during the middle of the 19th century, that church was the site of the first mixed race marriage in Canada. It was originally Congregationalist, but joined the United Church when it formed in the 1920s. The first permanent home was built in 1862 at Elgin and Albert Street. The current building in Centretown was constructed in 1911. The church began to struggle in the 1970s and 1980s, but in 1987 Rev. Sharon Moon began a seventeen year tenure at the church, and made it a centre of social activism, especially gay rights, fighting poverty, and supporting people with addictions. As well, its welcome for the diversity of life has drawn many people to the church. The congregation is now considering leaving their historic structure, and moving in with another church, perhaps All Saints Anglican Church, Westboro As of July, 2006, the church building has been conditionally sold, and the Congregation will move elsewhere. The current Minister, the Reverend Brian Cornelius, continues the tradition of First United as one that welcomes diversity. First United has been an 'Affirming Congregation' Affirm United of the United Church of Canada for several years.

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