About About St. Paul's

About St. Paul's

Welcome to St. Paul's Anglican Church!

St. Paul's is a community of people that assist one another to become mature followers of Jesus. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, it is our hope that you will find St. Paul's to be a place where you can come grow along with us.

As a newcomer, we know it can be awkward and difficult to find your way into the life a church. It will require some initiative on your behalf. But we are also committed to assisting you so that your entry into the St. Paul's community will be as smooth as possible. For starters, we have listed a few ‘next steps’ below that will help you feel more at home. One of the best ways to get connected is to join us for the next newcomer's reception. If you have any questions, or if there is some other way we can assist you, please feel free to call the church office at (613) 836-1001.

On the journey with you, here are some next steps:

  • Complete a Newcomer Questionnaire form found in the church pew, or download it below.
  • Go to the Information Desk for brochures & get your questions answered.
  • Come enjoy some freshly brewed coffee and meet new friends.
  • Introduce yourself to one new person each visit.
  • Attend the next available Newcomer's Reception.
  • Check out Small Groups or Alpha possibilities.
  • Check out Family Events Nights and other social events.
  • Get involved as a volunteer.

Download Newcomer Questionnaire Form

Who We Are

Our Mission

As Disciples of Christ we are to worship, teach and equip. To be agents of healing, love, justice and forgiveness.

Vision Statement

A growing community called to know Jesus Christ and make Him known in the world by our presence.

Our Values

We are:

  • Christians, part of the Anglican communion;
  • representative of all ages and all economic groups;
  • married and single; adults, youth and children; seniors
  • and drawn from all areas of the Ottawa/Kanata area.
  • sympathetic to the struggles that many of us experience throughout life;
  • humanly flawed and seeking enlightenment;
  • we are committed to living in respectful community, in God's name.

We serve:

  • anyone in need, the whole community;
  • those who hear the rhythm of God's voice in music;
  • the faithful as well as the seekers.

How do we do this:

  • worship and prayer;
  • Christian education programs for all ages;
  • a lyrical choir and contemporary music;
  • prayer groups;
  • youth and adult social opportunities;
  • providing support to support organizations in Kanata
  • and the response of our parishioners and staff to needs as they present themselves.

Opportunities for learning and fellowship (many organized and led by parishioners) include:

  • Church school and nursery program
  • baptismal preparation
  • Sunday coffee and newcomers' welcome table
  • youth groups
  • seniors afternoon out program

St. Paul's ministers to its members, the larger community surrounding the church, ministry with and through the Diocese of Ottawa, and ministry elsewhere in Canada and the world. This outreach includes:

  • pastoral outreach such as pastoral care, home and hospital visiting, counselling
  • community outreach such as the Kanata Food cupboard, Walk of the Cross and special concerts.
  • Seniors program
  • support for parishes which are not self-supporting, diocesan administration, synod, committees, lay and clergy training, diocesan programs
  • support for diocesan social service ministries (The Well, Centre 454, Women in Crisis Project, Ottawa Pastoral Centre )
  • support for mission projects throughout the world and in Northern Canadian dioceses

As with the other areas of St. Paul's ministry, there is active lay participation in many outreach activities. The cost of this Ministry includes St. Paul's financial commitment to the Diocese of Ottawa, but does not include many areas of individual giving such as money to the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, food and clothing contributions, etc.

How do I find St. Paul's?

St Paul's is located on Young Road in Kanata. The main church can be accessed via three different entrances, one of which is wheelchair accessible The offices and meeting rooms are located on the lower level of the building and can be accessed via Young Road. Click here to view the map location of St. Paul's.

Clergy and Staff at St Paul's

The Reverend Canon John Bridges

The Reverend Canon John Bridges was born in Comox, British Columbia into an Air Force Family. He has moved across Canada and the USA until his father retired to the Ottawa Area. He is a graduate of Carleton University and has a degree in theology from the University of Ottawa and of St. Paul's University Ottawa, he was ordained in the Diocese of Ottawa in 1985. He served as a Curate in the parish of St Matthew's, Ottawa; in 1987 he moved to the Parish of St. Stephen's, Buckingham, St. Thomas’ Silver Creek, St. John’s Glen Almond and Christ Church Poltimore. In 1992 he moved to the Parish of St Luke's in Ottawa. John also serves as the Chaplain to the Ottawa Fire Department, Chair of the Board of Continuing Education for the Clergy of the Diocese and Chair of the Education committee for the Stewardship Development Initiative. John became the rector of St Paul’s Kanata in 1998. John is married to his wonderful wife Gayle, and they have a daughter Amy and two sons, Joseph and Joshua.

The Reverend Craig Bowers

The Reverend Craig Bowers was born in Prescott, Ontario. He is a graduate of Carleton University - B.Sc (Math.), Queen’s - B.Ed, Concordia - Master’s in the Teaching of Math. and has Licentiate in Theology from Montreal Diocesan Theological College, McGill. Craig was a teacher and stone carver before being ordained in the Diocese of Ottawa in 2002. He has enjoyed his incumbencies in both the Parish of Clayton and the Parish of Morrisburg-Iroquois. Craig also serves as the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer for the Diocese. Craig is married to Mary, and they have three daughters Sarah, Eva and Chloe. Oh yes, and Annie their Chocolate Lab. Craig enjoys music, the outdoors, hockey and soccer. He looks forward to being close to the Ottawa Senators to offer prayers for them and notes that last year was a great year for Boston! Go Bruins!

The Reverend Canon Dr. William Prentice

The Rev. Canon Dr. William E. Prentice, Fr. Bill, or just Bill, has been an Honorary Assistant at St. Paul's, Kanata-Hazeldean since 1997. For his "day job in ministry", he serves the Diocese of Ottawa as Director, Parish and Diocesan Services - work that connects him to most of the non-parish based ministries in our broader Diocesan family. Originally from Winnipeg, his undergrad years were spent at St. John's College, the University of Manitoba, his seminary years at Trinity College, Toronto, and his doctoral degree is jointly conferred by the University of Toronto and Trinity College. He has served several congregations in several Dioceses, including Rupert's Land, Algoma, Toronto, Western Newfoundland, Moosonee, and since 1997, here in Ottawa. He married Joyce Prentice in 1974. They have three sons and two daughters-in-law, Fred, Jeremiah and his partner, Yan, and Stirling Michel and his wife Julie.

The Venerable Sally Gadd

The Venerable Sally Gadd enjoys being an honorary assistant at Saint Paul’s. She and her husband Ed are both recently retired; Sally from Saint Thomas, Stittsville and her position as Archdeacon of Carleton Deanery; and Ed from his position as head of the Division of Anti-Infective Drugs. Sally has degrees in Religious Studies (Carleton) and Theology (University of Saint Paul). Sally and Ed have two children, Jennifer (Molson) and James, and four grandchildren. Sally and Ed are both active in several ministries at St. Paul’s, and Sally fills in at services at Saint Paul’s and elsewhere when she is needed.

Ann Faurbo

Ann has been Music Director and Organist/Choirmaster of St Paul's since 1996. Under Ann's direction, the Chancel Choir provides traditional music with organ and piano accompaniment and anthems for services each Sunday morning.

Lorna Brule

Lorna & Ray (Dayle, David, Liz & Joseph and James) have been members of St. Paul's for more than 20 years. A life long learner Lorna has completed course work in Real Estate, Volunteer Management and with Ray, has completed the 4 year Education for Ministry program. Most of the time you will find the Brule's at our 11 AM service.

History of St. Paul's

The present St. Paul's is the fourth structure built in Hazeldean to house the Anglican congregation. Though the first settler arrived in 1818, it was not until 1844 or 1845 that the old stone church on what is now the west side of Young Road, was raised.

Just 30 years later, the congregation having grown considerably, a new church was planned, and land was purchased from James and Alice Mulligan on February 7, 1874. The site chosen was on what is now the east side of Young Road, directly across from the original building. With the willing help of the parishioners, the building grew apace, and it was not long before a graceful, white, wooden structure arose. In the open belfry hung a bell, donated by the Hodgins family, which was heard on quiet Sundays calling the people to worship.

1935 had been a time of drought, with the countryside longing for rain. By October 20th, the shingles of the church roof were beginning to curl slightly from utter dryness, and it was then that disaster struck.

The fall day was chilly enough to necessitate a fire for the afternoon services, so the wood burning furnace was lit as usual. In the church itself, there was no hint of what was happening above. No children had yet arrived for Sunday School, and it was a mere chance of the Hand of Providence which caused a passing man to glance at the roof. Sparks had fallen from the chimney and lodged in the tinder-dry shingles. By the time the passer-by had given the alarm, the flames were already eating deeply into the roof.

At the fire, the Rev. H.O. Hodder worked along with his people, trying to save his church, but in spite of heroic efforts the fire quickly made great headway.

The congregation, stunned by this great blow in the middle of a depression, rallied its pioneer spirit and decided to rebuild as soon as possible. The loss of $6,000. was only partly covered by insurance. As the people had toiled and sacrificed for their first church almost a century ago, when money was scarce and tools were few, so they toiled and sacrificed again in the lean years from 1935 to 1937. By the fall of 1936, an excavation had already been made, on the site of the fire, and the summer of 1937 saw the foundation stone laid and St. Paul's, made of Nepean sandstone, rose again..

A 4,300 square foot addition of a hall, nursery, offices and complete kitchen facilities was done in 1985 to meet the needs of the ever growing congregation.

Throughout the years, lawn socials, box socials, suppers and other entertainment have been carried out by young and old. Many will recall the "The Christmas Tree" which was always held on New Year's Night at the old Orange Hall, across from Mr. Young's store. What a happy event that was, how many of the little ones who gazed wide-eyed at the sparkling tree are grown men and women, watching their children and grandchildren take their place in the life of the church known as St. Paul's.

Today St. Paul's is again fortunate through the generosity of it's members to be worshiping in a brand new facility designed to accommodate the growth in Kanata. In 2004 we started an ambitious program to completely change the church. We did preserve some of heritage as can be seen in the re-use of the stones and pews in the church.