About this congregation

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 Auxiliary , 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 Abraham Ross, a doctoral student with McGill Organ dept. and specialist in Reformation Era music. We work in conjunction with the organ department at McGill. 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 The parish is a partner in a number of music projects in Montreal, especially with Earth-World Collaborative having recently hosted an elector-acoustic Vespers and new music for the Vigil of Easter. 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.

Service Times

Previously Sunday 9:30AM German-language Eucharist;Sunday 11:00AM English-language Eucharist. This schedule has been adjusted since spring 2020 with an 11 a.m. in-person Eucharist and German-English hybrid on alternating Sundays with English Eucharist from the Worship Book. Live-stream broadcasts are on the German-English hybrid Sundays. Call the church office 24/7 for up-to-date service information.

Child Care

SUSPENDED DURING PANDEMIC Every Sunday at the 11 a.m. service. Also, at anytime, a "pray-ground", sound-proof room at the rear of the nave allows you to both see and hear the service while the sound is insulated from the main nave. Christian learning activities are available in the PRAYground for children.

Accessibility Information

Partially

Worship Language(s)

English, German, occasionally French

Clergy

Rev Eric Dyck