Since 2018, the United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints program has supported over 560 communities of faith in taking bold climate action. Through building retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades, the program has encouraged communities of faith to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, while strengthening sustainability and renewing mission work across the country. As of March 2025, the Faithful Footprints grants were temporarily placed on hold due to a program review and restructuring process. Only applications submitted prior to this date continued to move forward. A new application form is being developed and will be available in January 2026 when the program reopens. Several changes will be introduced to the financial grant offering including updated eligibility requirements, additional documentation, and new approval steps required to receive funding.
We will continue to keep you informed and will notify you in advance before the program officially reopens. Thank you for your patience and for your commitment to taking bold climate action.
Program Highlights
25 years of interfaith action in creating sustainable communities across Canada
Earlier this month, Faithful Footprints program delivery partner Faith & the Common Good (FCG) celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded by the Very Rev. Bill Phipps and Rev. Ted Reeve, the interfaith network is dedicated to helping religious and spiritual communities build more sustainable futures. For decades, the organization has supported communities in greening their places of worship through initiatives such as green audits. At the celebration, the General Secretary of The United Church of Canada, Rev. Michael Blair, was presented with a certificate in honour of the church's long-standing partnership with FCG.
Project Updates
Many of our current program participants have successfully completed their planned renovations and upgrades, while others have received their one-year post-project energy reports. Here are the latest project updates:
Completed projects:
Saint James United Church (Woodstock, NB)
St. John’s United Church (Cardinal, ON)
Project energy results:
Athens United Church (Athens, ON)
Central United Church (St. Thomas, ON)
Crawford United Church (Crawford, ON)
Fenwick United Church (Fenwick, ON)
Gordon Memorial United Church (Redcliff, AB)
Hampton United Church (Hampton, ON)
Spirit of Hope United Church (Edmonton, AB)
St. Andrew’s United Church (New Richmond, QC)
St. Andrew’s United Church (Queensborough, ON)
Project Inspiration
First South United completes energy project
Earlier this month, First South United Church (Lunenburg, NS) celebrated the completion of several major energy-saving upgrades with support from a Faithful Footprints grant. Over the past few months, the congregation undertook extensive work including foundation repairs, an electrical panel upgrade, new basement windows, improved insulation in both the attic and basement, LED lighting, and the installation of a new heat pump to replace their oil furnace. The celebration brought the community together to honour the church’s commitment to lowering emissions and creating a more sustainable, welcoming space.
Merigomish United is shrinking its carbon footprint
Merigomish United Church (Merigomish, NS) is making moves to save energy and reduce its carbon footprint. To reduce reliance on an oil furnace, the church installed heat pumps in the church hall with the support of a grant from the Faithful Footprints Program. The grant also helped fund other major upgrades, including a new electrical system, a high-efficiency water heater with a blanket, and new doors. Even smaller improvements like purchasing an energy-efficient fridge and sealing windows with caulking, will add up to energy savings. Merigomish’s project was celebrated and featured in their local newspaper, Pictou Advocate.
“With this retrofit, we can use the building year-round without worrying about the cold. MUC plans to replace the oil furnace entirely in the future, as well as insulate the church walls, to reduce our carbon footprint even further.” - Marilyn MacDonald, Merigomish United Church
Former Knox United Church brings historic windows back to life
Former United Church Knox on 2nd, now a performing arts venue, has completed the restoration of its original Gothic windows. With the expertise of a historic window conservator, the project preserved the building’s century-old character while improving energy performance. Damaged leaded glass panels were repaired, cleaned, and re-leaded where needed, with new high-efficiency storm windows added to reduce costs and emissions.
Opportunities
Get involved with COP
As COP30 approaches in Belém, Brazil (November 10–21, 2025), there are opportunities where your faith community and congregants can get involved. The United Church encourages to host a Candles for COP vigil in your community between November 14–16, joining others across the country in prayer and action for climate justice. In addition, the For the Love of Creation coalition is forming a virtual COP30 Animators Circle, where individuals will connect through a few Zoom calls this fall and work together to raise the profile of COP30.