The people of St. Andrew’s have always loved music, and Christianity offers us so much music, be it inspired by the Jewish experience, medieval chants, classical arrangements or modern worship songs. God’s message of redeeming and inclusive love can be found in so much music and we pour our hearts into it. Our worship service is inspiring and empowering, as we endeavour to equip individuals to love God more and be Christ’s hands in our world.

In a variety of groups, we experience fellowship, grow in our faith and serve each other and our community. Find where you belong at St. Andrew’s!

Our Mission:
We are a welcoming and compassionate Christ-centered community of faith, seeking to inspire, involve and empower people to discover their purpose through fellowship, study and service.

Ministries:
Church School, Bible Studies, Women’s Missionary Society, Pastoral Care Team, and Art Guild. Call for more information.

As an inclusive, affirming congregation, we honour the diversity of God’s creation. Our community is richer when we include people of all ages, gender identities, racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, economic circumstances and family configurations.

We seek to provide a safe space so that each person can bring every aspect of their whole self into participation within this congregation. We invite all to join into the life, leadership, witness and ministry at St. Andrew’s Barrie.
As part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, we support the incusion of LGBTQI2S+ people to serve as ministers and elders. We define marriage as a covenant between two adults.

St. Andrew’s story is about people. It has had a history of serving the community ever since. Sports, programs for youth, musical leadership and social programs have kept St. Andrew’s busy through the decades.

Here are some interesting community programs in which we’ve played a part over the years:

• A Sunday School Hockey League, with Methodist and Anglican congregations.
• In June 1897, the church’s Boy’s Brigade formed an ambulance corps.
• The church became caretakers of the Colours of the 157^th Battalion on Oct. 10, 1919.
• Andrew’s organist and choirmaster led the first community sing-song, at Queen’s Park on Aug. 17, 1923, an event organized by the Kiwanis Club.
• On April 7, 1920, the church hosts the first performance of the Barrie Community Choral Society and a children’s chorus, which included more than 450 children.
• Out of the Cold was born: the church opened its doors to the city’s homeless on Jan. 15, 1998 and we helped equip the David Busby Street Centre to take over this vital community program.
• A soup kitchen – hosted Sundays after worship – started in 1991; it ended when the Salvation Army took over serving lunch seven days a week.
• The congregation hosted the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s General Assembly – the annual meeting at which elders and ministers from across the country discuss policies and programs – in 1991.
• Winterfest: St. Andrew’s hosted lunches and craft sessions during Barrie’s Winterfest for many years.
• Refugee support: St. Andrew’s has supported families fleeing family and war: Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s and 1980s and refugees from Sryia in 2016 and 2017.
• St. Andrew’s has opened its doors and its members have led Girl Guides and Scouts Canada groups.
• Vacation Bible Camps have given children in the community a fun place to learn about God’s love for them each summer.
• Music at St. Andrew’s … that’s a whole other topic, as we’ve hosted classical performances, organ performances, Scottish cultural events, sing-songs, community choir practices and performances, as well as our own choir’s festive presentations.

Although many of these programs have had to be suspended due to the fire in 2023, we are still actively involved in a variety of events. If you have an idea for a program or ministry, let us know. Come and be a part of our future!