Anyone who has found themselves within the downtown core of Thunder Bay’s south side over the past hundred years or so, could hardly avoid noticing the striking presence of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The sandstone building has sat contentedly on the corner of Donald Street and Brodie Street since 1909, and in that time has experienced very little change.
That said, St. Andrew’s is much more than just a building. It is a group of people. It is a set of values. It is a community resource. And of course, it is an extension of the Presbyterian Church as a whole. And unlike the building, all of these things have indeed seen a great deal of change.
Some of the challenges St. Andrew’s has faced in recent years are not unique. Lower attendance and membership, for instance, are struggles for many churches of varying denominations across Canada. For St. Andrew’s, however, these challenges have spurred its dedicated congregation and leadership team into action.
In the autumn of 2021, St. Andrew’s minister, Reverend Joyce Yanishewski, suggested the church undergo a thorough and detailed “New Beginnings Assessment.” It has meant some serious soul searching, and digging into what it is that makes them unique, and what gives them purpose. What has St. Andrew’s meant to the community in the past? What resources and gifts does it have to offer now? How can its mission and values find significance in a changing world? And how can it re-engage with the community to which it belongs in a meaningful, mutually beneficial way? The answers, while not always easy to determine, have resulted in a surge of energy within the church which they are excited to put into practice.
One thing that has emerged as a key resource is the church building itself.
In 1984 – the year of the building’s 75th anniversary – the Thunder Bay Heritage Advisory Committee declared St. Andrew’s to be a formally Designated Heritage Property. This protects it from demolition or any significant alterations. In the past, its spacious interior was used regularly during Sunday worship
or other church functions. The New Beginnings Assessment, however, has prompted a review of the different ways in which the building may be part of re-establishing the church’s community relevance. Vaulted ceilings, an expansive Casavant organ, and a stunning array of stained glass windows provide potential for events like weddings. There are also smaller rooms which could serve as accessible spaces for private practitioners, such as massage therapists, yoga instructors, or counsellors, looking to offer services from a rented space. This would help to establish the church as both a spiritual centre and a space where holistic wellness can be achieved.
As a start, over the past year St. Andrew’s has made an effort to host a variety of events, all of which have been open to the community at large. These have included a Holistic Wellness Workshop, as well as two community Christmas concerts – the second of which is scheduled for December 7th, 2025. This afternoon event will feature several talented Thunder Bay musicians performing classic Christmas music within the atmosphere and beauty of the historic sanctuary. St. Andrew’s also offers a music class for children ages 0-4, designed to increase and strengthen each child’s understanding of and appreciation for music.
And of course, St. Andrew’s has long been one of Thunder Bay’s most sought-after sources for shortbread cookies, which it sells every holiday season.
While St. Andrew’s has a storied past, the world it exists in today has changed. The goal now is not to recreate, but to evolve.
To find out more, check out St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Facebook and Instagram.