Lifted

Posted By 25th Hour Staff on Nov 8, 2017 | 0 comments


As the United Church of Canada and other mainline denominations across the country continue to face the reality of dwindling numbers and increasingly empty pews, Ottawa’s Dominion-Chalmers United Church is no different. The 37,000 square feet church, which takes up almost an entire city block at the corner of Cooper and O’Connor Streets, is struggling to stay afloat at time when more and more people no longer belong to communities of faith. If the church is ever forced to close its doors, the city wouldn’t just lose a historic house of worship, but a community gathering space and renowned performing arts venue known for its rich acoustics. Here’s that story.

 

Produced by Kaitlin Fisher, Naomi Librach, and Noah Richardson

Special thanks to Peter Fisher, Rev. James Murray, the staff at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, and Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra

Music by Chris Zabriskie