Program Highlights
St. John United seizes opportunity to boost efficiency after major pipe leak
Over the years, St. John's United Church of Georgetown and Glen Williams, Ontario has taken thoughtful steps to make its building more efficient and resilient. What began with smaller upgrades like LED floodlights and a new metal roof grew into more significant projects, including an upgraded HVAC system. In fall 2023, the church converted its aging steam boiler to high-efficiency hot water boilers. When a major pipe leak was later discovered, St. John’s used the opportunity to strengthen the system for long-term performance with support from a Faithful Footprints grant.
First United reduces heat loss with targeted building upgrades
First United Church in Vermilion, Alberta decided to take a closer look into their ongoing heating issue to better understand what practical improvements could make their buildings. After reaching out to the Faithful Footprints Program, First United received a formal energy audit that was completed by the program’s Western Support Centre, Newo Global Energy. The audit pinpointed exactly where heat was escaping and where energy use was highest and the church approached improvements strategically, addressing each recommendation based on urgency, impact, and long-term energy savings.
Robertson Memorial United undergoes building upgrades to better support its mission
With gratitude for the funding and support that made their building upgrades possible, Robertson Memorial United Church in Nakusp, British Columbia, celebrates the renovations that improved its church building. The church recently replaced its oil furnace with an efficient heat pump, upgraded electrical systems, installed LED lighting, added insulation, and replaced an outdated hot water tank. These improvements did not only make the building safer, more comfortable, and more affordable to operate, but it also supports the church’s mission and its role as a reliable warming centre in winter and a cooling refuge in summer for the congregation and wider community.
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:
Centennial United Church (Stayner, ON)
Eden United Church (Mississauga, ON)
Islington United (Toronto, ON)
Robertson Memorial United Church (Naskup, BC)
Spring Park United Church (Charlottetown, PE)
Trinity United Church (Vernon, BC)
Project energy results:
Arden United Church (Arden, ON)
First United Church (Vermilion, AB)
Lemonville United Church (Stoufville, ON)
Palgrave United Church (Palgrave, ON)
Rennie’s United Church (Hinchenbrooke, QC)
Riverview United Church (Elmsdale, NS)
Southwood United Church (Calgary, AB)
St. Paul’s United Church (Stirling, ON)
St. Peter’s United Church (St Peter's, NS)
Project Inspiration
Eden United Church takes a big step in sustainability with new HVAC system
Eden United Church in Mississauga, Ontario has completed a major step forward in sustainability with its Sanctuary Air Conditioning and Ventilation Replacement Project. With support from a Faithful Footprints grant, the church replaced aging, inefficient systems with modern, energy-efficient Economizer units, improving comfort, ventilation, and air quality for worship, concerts, and community gatherings.
How communities of faith can plan ahead to avoid costly building repairs
Regular property maintenance is essential for communities of faith, when buildings are well cared for, costly repairs can often be avoided. A well-cared-for church building frees up money, time, and energy for what matters most: community, worship, and mission. In the latest Property & Mission Review blog, David Lewis, TUCC’s past Director of Property Services, shares three practical pillars for keeping church properties healthy for the long haul: Baselining your property’s condition, financial preparedness, and maintenance planning.
Broadview United renovates to serve as extreme-weather shelter
During a recent 18-month renovation, Broad View United Church in Vancouver, British Columbia intentionally redesigned its building to better serve the community in times of need. The lower hall of the 27,000-square-foot facility was built featuring a separate entrance, kitchen, and washroom facilities, allowing it to safely operate as an emergency weather shelter when required. This winter, the church expects to open the shelter seven to ten nights to provide a warm, dry place during extreme conditions. The renovation reflects a commitment to ensure church spaces remain welcoming, resilient, and ready to respond to growing local needs, including homelessness in the Saanich community.
Churchill Park United is renewing its spaces to serve the community
The South Osborne Commons project is transforming Churchill Park United Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba into a child-care facility and community hub. Planned retrofits will modernize building systems while preserving the building’s role as a shared community space. The project is a partnership between local child-care organizations, neighbourhood groups, the congregation, and the United Church of Canada. Once complete, the renewed space will support licensed child care, family-centred services, arts, recreation, and community gatherings.
Rock Lake United Church Camp receives grant from Killarney Foundation for kitchen upgrades
Support from the Killarney Foundation is helping extend the life of Rock Lake United Church Camp with a $10,000 grant towards its kitchen renovation. Operating for generations, the camp has long been a gathering place for summer programs and community connection, and the much-needed upgrades will modernize its facilities.
Program Status
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.