Vision • Mission • History

As an inner-city ministry of the United Church of Canada, we are part of the rich community of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

The history of the ministry at the corner of Gore and Hastings Streets in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is a long one. First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1885, a year before Vancouver was a city. Through the early years, joint outreach projects with Princess Street Methodist Church foreshadowed the work established in 1925 when The United Church of Canada was founded.

First United has long been a church called to be a community with roots in the Christian faith and which seeks, in the words of the ancient Hebrew prophet, “to seek justice, to love mercy and to walk with humility in the presence of the Creator.” Our vision is to strive to embody the quality of hospitality which was so clearly expressed in the life and teachings of Jesus and to participate with others in the struggle for a more just and compassionate society and world by being:

  • inclusive of all people regardless of their place of residence, religious or political beliefs, economic or social circumstances
  • proactive in fostering social justice by standing with and sitting at the table with those who have food and shelter needs, addictions or mental illness and may be  looking for a sense of community
  • inspirational in celebrating life, welcoming the Sacred into our many activities

Our life and work as a community of the United Church will be shaped day by day, night by night by the people who are this very important neighborhood of the downtown eastside.

Mission Statement

Inspired by the Christian Gospel
Which nurtures, empowers, liberates
First United Church is an inner-city ministry of
The United Church of Canada.
Called by the Spirit
To be part of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver,
This ministry:
Affirms the worth of individuals
Empowers communities, and
Works for social justice.