Saint-James United Church

You’re now standing in front of the beautiful Saint James United Church, the second-oldest Protestant church in Quebec. When it was built in the late 19th century, it was the largest Methodist church in Canada. While Methodism isn’t equally familiar around the world—especially in regions with a predominantly Catholic tradition—it’s much more common in countries with strong historical ties to Britain. Rooted in the Anglican tradition, the Methodist movement placed a particular emphasis on social justice and personal faith. Today, Saint James belongs to the United Church of Canada, which was formed through the union of the Methodist Church with other Protestant denominations—now the largest Protestant body in the country. The United Church has played an active role in Canadian history: it helped establish the first YMCA in North America and was deeply involved in the campaign for women’s suffrage. (And no, we’re not talking about the song!) For those who’ve forgotten, YMCA originally stood for the Young Men’s Christian Association—a support network founded in London in 1844 to help young workers facing tough urban conditions. The idea, launched by George Williams, quickly spread to Australia, Canada, and the United States. The church itself, with its Victorian Gothic style, pink sandstone façade, twin bell towers, and large rose window, was long hidden behind commercial buildings. It was finally revealed in 2006 during a major restoration project led by the City of Montreal, which cleared the space to create a public square. It’s been designated a historical monument since 1980 and recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1996.