A Place to Belong
A Faith to Explore
We are a warm, friendly congregation, with uplifting music, inspiring worship, passionate volunteers, and dedicated staff. Whether you join us in-person or from home, we will love to have you with us!
Know that you are among friends. We hope that your time with us is enjoyable and helps you grow in your faith journey. Whether you are looking for a new beginning or are looking for answers, or need a place to call home. Our hope and prayer is that you might find a place to belong here.
Join us and let God fill your heart with peace.
Our History
Riverside United Church has a rich and storied history which dates back almost a century. Prior to 1928, Sunday services were initially held at Edith Cavell School directly across Ontario Street from today’s existing church property. * In 1928, a survey showed that there were 445 Protestant families in Riverside, with about 300 children of Sunday School age. At a meeting of about 100 people, it was unanimously agreed that a church was needed in Riverside. With a loan of $15,000 in hand, from the Board of Home Missions, land was purchased at the corner of Glidden and Ontario Streets and G. Buller-Colthurst was hired as architect.
On September 29, 1929, amid great rejoicing and a feeling of optimism, the new Riverside United Church was founded. However, in three months to the day, fire destroyed the church that these dedicated people worked so hard for. Many members knew nothing about the fire until they arrived the next morning for service. The congregation was undaunted by this setback and set to rebuild the church. The present church was dedicated on October 30, 1930. During the depression years, the congregation faced some hard financial difficulties but carried on. The members did not forget the unfortunates of the community as they struggled to keep the church open. Each week, the women of the church met at Edith Cavell School where they worked at sewing machines to repair clothing and make quilts for the needy.
In the beginning, music was provided by a piano and a reed organ whose bellows had to be pumped by hand. The music played on those instruments at that first service were “Open the Gates of the Temple” (Knapp); Anthem “Te Deum” (Jackson) and “I Will Sing of Thy Powers” (Sullivan). By 1938, the reed organ was pumping “on its last breath.” For a congregation of 140 persons, the purchase of a new organ was impossible. Fortunately, the minister, Rev A. E. Waghorne, had a hobby building organs! He had studied organ construction and had previously built 2 church organs. With $800 for materials and 44 men and 5 women, volunteers from the congregation and his leadership, a workshop was set up in the church basement. There were 25,000 parts and 30 miles of electric wire. They made half inch holes in 744 bellows blocks and they bored 522 feet to complete construction of Riverside United Church’s first pipe organ by hand! The Detroit News covered this story in the paper’s pictorial section. The organ was first used during the 1939 Easter service. In 1949, Riverside United Church, by Congregational and Board direction, decided to purchase a new organ. After fundraising, trying out and auditioning different organs, the “Deluxe Organ” was purchased from J. C. Hallman Manufacturing Company Ltd in Waterloo, Ontario. On September 17, 1950, this new electric organ was dedicated as a Memorial to church members who died during World War II.In 1949, Riverside United Church, by Congregational and Board direction, decided to purchase a new organ. After fundraising, trying out and auditioning different organs, the “Deluxe Organ” was purchased from J. C. Hallman Manufacturing Company Ltd in Waterloo, Ontario. On September 17, 1950, this new electric organ was dedicated as a Memorial to church members who died during World War II.
With the post-war building boom in Riverside, the church was bursting at the seams. The church needed a new hall for the social, recreational and religious work of the rapidly growing congregation. The original members of the church showed great vision when theybought the land behind the church on Esdras. Over the years the area had been used as a tennis court and playground as well as the site for many outdoor activities by the congregation. In 1957, the first sod was turned for the church hall, built at a cost of $150,000. In 1958 a gymnasium and basement classroom/meeting rooms were added to better enable the church to serve church members and the community. In June 2010, the gym was dedicated to Scott Scorgie after his passing. In 1964 a Casavant pipe organ, purchased for $1700, was dedicated. The great two manual instrument quickly became recognized as one of the finest organs in southwestern Ontario.
From 1959 until 2013, a collection of stained-glass windows depicting Christ, saints and other biblical figures were installed around the sanctuary. On sunny days, golden sunlight – a divine light representing God’s presence and the illumination of mind and grace, continues until today to stream through rainbow-coloured biblical portraits. Portraits which provide examples of faith and redemption to encourage believers in their own spiritual journeys and bring them closer to God. In October 1977, The Windsor Star newspaper reported vandals had broken a large front window and two basement windows of the church. After gaining entry, they set fire to stage curtains in the auditorium and, also attempted to set fire to basement curtains. Including $15,000 damages to the auditorium, there was extensive smoke damage throughout the building.
Since 1929, the church has been one of the centre pieces in the Riverside area and today it has protected status with the Windsor Municipal Heritage Register and the Ontario Heritage Trust. The building continues to be much more than just a place of worship. Over the years it has been a home base for caring volunteers and a centre to house community group meetings, sports activities, stage plays and various performances by choirs and musical ensembles including the Windsor Symphony. The gym, sanctuary and meeting rooms have hosted Scouts Canada, Beavers, Brownies, Girl Guides and recovery group meetings, floor hockey games, karate classes, as well as kick ball and badminton activities. Citizen ceremonies for new Canadians to take the Oath of Citizenship have also been held at the church. Riverside United Church volunteers have also reached out to help needful people in the community. The church was one of the founders of The Downtown Mission and has supported and continues to support Street Help and the Windsor Youth Centre with regular donations of clothing and personal care products. As well, the church continues to support foster children in Third World countries and has more recently added Feeding Riverside to its list of beneficiaries.
Sundays are extra special when congregation members and visitors alike, enjoy organ, piano and bell choir performances. The story of Riverside United Church goes beyond Sunday worship and praise. It’s about fellowship, community, compassion, determination, teamwork and love. As of 2026, despite previous setbacks and hardships, the church has survived 97 years after its founding and with God’s grace will survive another 100 years.