The United Church of Canada, a church with a rich, progressive, and continuing history of welcoming all in the name of Christ.

The United Church of Canada formed in 1925, as a union of Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, and other Christian churches. The Bible is the shared standard for our faith, but members are not required to adhere to any particular formulation of doctrine.

"We are not alone," is the first line of "A New Creed," one of our statements of belief. The United Church of Canada has a long history of welcoming people of all backgrounds and orientations – wherever you are in your faith journey.

You can learn more about The United Church of Canada here.

Fifty United Church is a congregation comprised of approximately 215 individuals of varying and valuable gifts and talents, who reside predominantly in the areas of Winona, Grimsby and Stoney Creek. We are a warm and friendly group who seeks to build deep connections with God, with one another, and with the Community we serve.

Our Community has grown substantially and changed significantly over the past 20 years – but Fifty United is, and for 200 years has been, at the heart of Winona providing togetherness, love, community, joy and fellowship to all who find themselves within our Sanctuary or in contact with our members outside our walls.

The New Creed is one of our foundational statements of faith:

We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.

We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.

We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in creation
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.

Our Mission:

To know and to share God's love for all

Our Values:

Togetherness as Family

Grace-based Love

Service to the Community

Joy Expressed

In 1796 a handful of United Empire Loyalist refugee families settled near Fifty Mile Creek. With the help of a Methodist circuit rider they gathered every week at a site on the creek’s west bank for worship and spiritual nurture, and became known as “the Meeting by the Fifty.”

The name stuck, and so did the church. In 1828 when the Methodist Episcopal Church separated from the American Methodists, “The Fifty” was one of its congregations. In 1925 the congregation joined Church Union and became Fifty United Church.

The village of Winona grew up west of the church, and the church was a source of civic leadership – something that has continued as Winona has grown from village to town, to become part of Stoney Creek, and now the amalgamated City of Hamilton.

The church’s membership has been renewed many times over through growth of the original settlement, immigration and new residential development. Newer and older members mingle easily within the church, brought together by shared love of God and neighbour.

In 1869, our current brick building was erected to replace the 1820 wooden structure, which had been destroyed by fire. Both the exterior and interior have been lovingly maintained by the congregation for over 200 years. Many visitors have said the warm and welcoming sanctuary, with it’s intricate wooden finishings and unique ceiling, makes them feel at home.

The building was topped by a steeple in 1967 as a Centennial project, and chimes were installed. They also have recently been refurbished, and still call people of the community to Sunday worship.

An attached building with Upper Room and Lower Hall, kitchens and office space was added in the 1920's, and has been modernized in stages over the years – the latest renovations being the redesign of the Upper Room, and the opening and refurbishing of the narthex.

Chair of Council - Parker Neale
Secretary of Council - Jessica Brown
Church Administrator - Helen Langlands