St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Montreal QC

St. John's is the oldest Lutheran church in Montreal, founded in 1853. Although begun by German businessmen, today the congregation is ethnically and racially diverse and includes neighbourhood residents, long-time immigrants, new immigrants, and a diversity of Canadians, Quebecers, and members from over a dozen countries. Welcome to all and inclusion is a hallmark; one that is not to be taken for granted in congregations with strong ethnic roots. Our pews gather-in professionals and street people, young and old, new comers and long-time members. On the occasion of its 150th Anniversary (2003) St. John's became the first Lutheran congregation in Canada to be granted a Coat-of-Arms by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, through the Governor General. These have became a symbol of integration and participation in the fabric of Canadian society which is significant for a parish originating with immigrants. Its German heritage has certainly influenced many things at St. John, but the focus is to build on our heritage and to walk forwards while looking a bit back over our shoulder. New ventures are always happening and the Church Council welcomes the initiatives of members. Active in Mission enterprises include an active Sunday School, full confirmation ministry,youth group, Food Bank (our own distribution), 'Sandwich Ministry' (which takes sandwiches and hot coffee to the homeless on the streets in downtown), active Student Ministry, Study Groups, prayer group, Seniors group (mainly using German), Ladies Aid, and much more. Mission in Music is an important part of our tradition. The Helmuth Wolff organ at St. John's ranks as one of the significant pipe organs of downtown Montreal and the Reformation Repertoire of Bach, Schuetz, Buxtehude, et al is given priority. Music at the services uses hymns from the newest German Hymnal (Bavarian edition) at the German services and Evangelical Lutheran Worship for the English services. Music Director is Joel Peters and we work in conjunction with the organ department at McGill and its director Hans-Ola Ericsson.The Sunday afternoon Serenata chamber music concerts fill the church and are a much-loved community event from Oct.-April. These feature musicians from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and utilise the unique acoustic of the church and its setting for chamber music. Both classical and modern works are performed. Bach Cantatas are regularly scheduled in autumn and spring and contribute to the vibrant Montreal music scene. Full information at www.sasj.ca Also at St. John's is the McGill Early Music Ensemble and the parish is a partner in a number of music projects in Montreal. St. John's is both an urban, cosmopolitan, downtown congregation and at the same time the home of German immigrants who arrived after the second World War. The congregation's long history in Montreal allows for an integration in the city rare amongst Lutheran congregations. English has always been a part of the congregation's working languages and presently French is often used for larger celebrations, in Sunday School, and for pastoral acts (baptisms, marriages, funerals). A Newsletter is published four times a year in German, English, and with some articles in French. The historical architecture of the building has not allowed us to install chairlifts or elevators (local building regulations). However the Parish Hall can be accessed from the laneway at one level. A few stairs into the church are not steep and include a landing, with seating, half-way.

 

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http://www.SaintJohnsLutheranMontreal.org