Welcome to Cataraqui Church, we’re really glad you’re here!

We want it to be easy for you to come and enjoy church.

We know that first-time visits to any church raise many questions and concerns. Here’s a quick look at some frequently asked questions that will hopefully give you a better idea of what to expect when you visit.

Where do I park?
You can park in front of the cemetery fence by the church on Sydenham Road   We do have a parking lot it is down the hill beside the end of the cemetery.  There is a walkway from through the cemetery to the church door. Handicapped parking is in the driveway alongside the wall of the Church

Where do I go?
On Sunday morning, greeters are located at the front entrances to the church.  These greeters will give you a bulletin (including the order of service and announcements) and help you find your way.

What should I wear?
Dress comfortably. We are a casual style in our worship and we’re more concerned with meeting your needs than focusing on what you wear. While some people choose to dress up, most people wear casual clothing.

When do I need to arrive?
Most of the year, Sunday morning services are at 10:30 a.m.  It’s a good idea to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the service to allow adequate time for parking and getting into the church.  As you enter you be able to pick up a coffee, juice or water and some Timbits, feel free to take them to your seat.  This time provides a lively space for talk and engage with others here for worship.

Where do my children go?
Cataraqui Church welcomes all children.  Children may choose to remain upstairs either sitting with their parents or colouring on our child's floor space If you choose otherwise after about 15 minutes of worship the kids may head downstairs for activities such as watching videos, do crafts, hear Bible stories and talk about their faith.  We’re pretty serious about making church a place that kids want to be!

Is the church handicap accessible?
Unfortunately not fully,  there are reserved parking spaces on the north side of the building.  The church is also equipped with accessible restrooms and we provide hearing assist devices for worship.   However due to the constraints of our building's age (dating from 1880) and our Heritage status we have not yet been able to equip it with satisfactory Lifts or Ramps.  For entrance stairs are the only way to enter the building.

How are visitors recognized?
It’s important to us that you have a wonderful worship experience at Cataraqui, without being made to feel uncomfortable in any way. Nobody will ask you to stand up or do anything to single you out. We want you to feel so good about your experience that you’ll want to return again soon.

What is a worship service like?

Worship services normally last about an hour.  We begin by sharing news of events and activities and celebrating birthdays and anniversaries of people present, if they wish to share.   Then we light our Christ Candle for Outreach as we honour one of our Canadian or International outreach and development projects.  Together we move into a “call to worship”  then we sing a song and then pray together a prayer of confession.   There are some Bible readings, and the minister offers a “message” or “talk” that helps bring the Bible readings into our everyday lives.  We have some more music and singing, we take up an offering and then we pray together.  Our prayer is made up of things we are grateful for, things in our community/world that we want to lift to God, and our prayers for people who would like to be prayed for.  We close with a hymn.  Some weeks we follow a slightly different format, but you get the idea…

We hope you’ll join us soon.