A Short History of McDougall United Church
The congregation of McDougall United Church, Calgary began in 1961 as Fairview/Acadia United Church but soon after adopted the name McDougall as suggested by the CGIT group. Services were held in Fairview School until 1964 when a new building, intended to be the Christian Education wing, was built. In the 1980’s a narthex including an elevator was added to the west side of the original building. Then in 2006 a new sanctuary, chapel, and meeting room was added to the north side, and new offices to the east side. A complete renovation was made to the original building at this time including a full commercial kitchen, larger washrooms, and new heating and ventilation systems. In 2009 volunteers installed an exact replica of the famous labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral, France, on the Hospitality Hall floor. Heather Rheinhardt, an artist who grew up attending McDougall, painted religious messages on various walls in the renovated building. A stained glass mural donated by the Jones family was moved from Riverview UC when that church was sold and is now in our sanctuary. A stained glass window for the chapel and sanctuary was created by Starr Kolb in 2008. McDougall Church also owned a manse from 1964 to 1976 when it was sold to Mark Bedford, incumbent minister at the time.
Music has always been important in worship and fellowship gatherings. Over the years the McDougall Choir, Junior Choir, Celebration Singers, Soul Singers, Bel Cantos, Sonica, and Collective Spirit, led by many dedicated directors and accompanists, served this ministry. Social events uniting our congregation included winter weekend, curling, Fall Fair, Camp Kasota, musical theater, fall suppers and concerts. Groups over the years which have added to our core ministry include CGIT, Guides, Scouts, HiC, youth groups, Friendship Club, Men’s Club, book groups, ukelele group, Multifocals. Outreach to the community needs have included Inn from the Cold, Feed the Hungry dinner, Christmas Hampers, community kitchen, Healing Pathway, refugee support groups, Affirming ministry, fostering Right Relations with Indigenous people including acceptance of a tipi in the sanctuary, Acadia pantry (food bank), Linkages intergenerational group, Open Table, prayer shawls ministry, and special services at senior’s lodges.
As a vibrant Community of Faith, programs and services at McDougall are always evolving. Worship services are at 10:30am Sundays, but there are many other opportunities to be involved with or served by programs at McDougall United Church. Check our website at mcdunited.com for our current programs, events and contacts. All are welcome here!