Interested in visiting St. Marys Presbyterian Church? We’d love to meet you.
At St. Marys, we encourage and help one another to become disciples of Jesus Christ. Through multigenerational opportunities of study, fellowship and service, we offer support for individuals of all ages to:
- Explore their faith;
- Deepen their knowledge and understanding of the scripture; and
- Share, experience and demonstrate to others the fullness of Christian love.
Here are the answers to a few questions you might have about your first visit to St. Marys.
Do I have to dress up?
Everyone is welcome! We are a congregation of different ages, backgrounds and interests. While some folks do enjoy wearing their ‘Sunday best’, during Sunday worship, you will see people in casual attire as well, so wear what is comfortable for you.
What happens when I arrive?
Greeters stand at the entrance to the Sanctuary. You are invited to enter the sanctuary and select a place to sit that suits you. Sunday service starts at 10:30 am and is an adapted format. We do not require proof of COVID-vaccination. Masks are optional.
I am a person with a disability, is your church accessible?
We have an accessible building with a handicapped washroom, and elevator access to the sanctuary.
If you have difficulty hearing, you are invited to use our wireless system. Headsets and receivers are available at the back of the church for pick up before the service begins. For health reasons, you may also bring your own earbuds/headset and borrow a receiver.
Do you have programs for children and youth?
At the present time everyone is worshiping together. In September we will resume Church School classes for children and youth during the Sunday morning service. There are activities throughout the year for children from preschool to high school. Children attend the beginning of the worship service before departing for Sunday School classes. Quite often throughout the year we have “All Ages” worship when everyone stays together in the sanctuary and a wide variety of people take on the opportunities of offering prayer, sharing faith stories, and doing the readings.
What other groups do you have that I could participate in?
We’ve got lots of ways for you to participate beyond coming to our Sunday service including a once a month breakfast, choir and bell choir.
When is communion?
Communion is served at 5 times through the year: 1st Sunday of Advent, 1st Sunday of Lent, Pentecost, once during the summer, and the first Sunday of October in celebration of World Communion Sunday. There are special services such as Maundy Thursday when a small communion gathering takes place.
Where are the fully accessible washrooms?
- Main level, just outside of church office
- Downstairs, near the elevator
- Downstairs, at the bottom of the stairs leading down from the sanctuary
- Downstairs, in the church school wing accessed from the gathering hall
Where do I park?
Parking is available on the surrounding streets. Handicap parking is available at the back of the church. Limited parking is available on the church property and we encourage people to exit using the parking lot driveway on the north side by the fence as this driveway is properly graded for our vehicles.
Do I have to give financially?
No, as a guest there is no pressure for you to give anything. We just want you to enjoy the service. Pew envelopes are available for visitors who wish to make an offering. You can place your envelope on the offering plate passed around during the service. Donations are tracked, and a charitable donation receipt for tax purposes is issued at the year-end if we have a legible name and address. In addition, donations may be made through etransfer to smpresch@gmail.com. We have many who use Preauthroized Remittance (PAR). And, you can always use Canada Helps by simply searching for St. Marys Presbyterian Church