About The Church
“Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place."
Are you Seeking a Spiritual Home?
Princess Street United Church (PSUC) is a caring, friendly and welcoming congregation, under the capable guidance of our minister Rev. Elizabeth Macdonald, church staff, and dedicated volunteers who contribute their gifts and skills to the life, work, vision and mission of the church. We are sojourners on the journey of life, rooted in our faith asking questions with curiosity, engaging in deep dive discussions and sharing our stories with one another.
PSUC has a roster of committees that oversee all aspects of the life and work of the church; The Official Board, The Session, Trustees, Ministry & Personnel Committee (M&P). The Board meets regularly to review reports from various committees and establish the direction of the church.
For more detailed information on our committee structure, and the work we do, check our Annual Reports.
Members of our church family come from throughout the city of Kingston and area to participate in our mission and ministry of sharing God’s love within the congregation, the community and the world. We pray that you will join us on this journey.
Meet Our Devoted Team
Rev. Elizabeth Macdonald
Kevin Guthrie
Director of Music
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Minister
Welcome Rev. Elizabeth Macdonald!
We are delighted to announce that, as of September 15, 2024, Rev. Elizabeth Macdonald has been appointed by the East Central Ontario Regional Council as our half-time Retired Supply minister. Rev. Macdonald joins us as we embark on a search for a new called minister.
A Wealth of Experience
Rev. Macdonald brings a rich background in congregational ministry, having served seven congregations across five presbyteries, four conferences, and two provinces since her ordination in 1985. Prior to her retirement, she served as minister at Sydenham Street United Church in Kingston for 14 years.
Community Connections
During her time in Kingston, Rev. Macdonald's path has crossed with many members of Princess Street United Church and other local congregations. She has been actively engaged in interfaith initiatives, including the Kingston Interfaith Community, and has partnered with community groups to advocate for justice and peace.
A Varied Background
Before answering her call to ministry, Rev. Macdonald worked as a radio broadcast journalist in various locations, including Ottawa, Montreal, Whitehorse, and Toronto. Her curiosity and inquiring nature are a testament to her journalistic roots.
Getting to Know Elizabeth
In her free time, Rev. Macdonald enjoys sipping strong tea, taking energetic walks with her corgi Rhys, sewing, quilting, and reading mystery novels. We look forward to getting to know her better and welcoming her to our community!
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Administrator
The office administrator plays an important role as the 'hub of the wheel' with spokes radiating to all of the church. The position provides administrative and organizational support to the minister and other church leaders, while at the same time undertaking many different tasks to help ensure the smooth running of the church.
Kevin has a long and extensive history of involvement in the United Church of Canada, most notably having served as Secretary of Kingston Presbytery for some 28 years until its dissolution to become part of the new Four Winds Presbytery in 2012. He arrived at Princess Street as the Administrator in 2016, Kevin enjoys the varied work and the opportunity to meet and work with many members of the congregation as well as the other church staff members.
Outside of work, Kevin has been a church musician for many years. In his spare time, he enjoys running, home repairs, gardening, cooking for friends, traveling, and spending time with his wire-haired fox terrier, Milou.
To contact Kevin via email: psunited@kingston.net
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Kevin Guthrie
Princess Street United Church and St. Luke's Anglican Church are thrilled to announce the appointment of Kevin Guthrie as Director of Music, serving both congregations.
A Wealth of Experience
Kevin brings 36 years of musical leadership from his previous congregation, and we're eager to benefit from his expertise and passion.
Kevin brings a rich musical background to his role. Classically trained in pipe organ, he has expanded his repertoire over the years to encompass contemporary Christian music, while remaining deeply rooted in and inspired by his gospel music heritage.
A New Chapter
"I'm delighted to join these vibrant communities," says Kevin. "I look forward to sharing my love of music, inspiring worship, and fostering a sense of belonging among our members."
Meet Our Committees
Official Board
The Official Board is responsible for the oversight of the other committees, the congregation, and the church.
Board of Trustees/Stewards
The Board holds in trust all the property of the congregation for the use and benefit of the congregation as part of the united Church, for such religious, charitable, educational, congregational, or social purposes. At the current time, it is responsible for the temporal matters of the congregation, including financial support, property maintenance, and day-to-day administration of the church’s institutions.
Session
The Session is responsible for the spiritual leadership of the congregation, including worship, education, pastoral care, and outreach.
Ministry & Personnel Committee
The purpose of the M&P Committee is to support the communication between the congregation and staff. It serves as a confidential, consultative body that supports the pastoral relationship and is accountable to the Board.
Our Community
Kingston (the Limestone City) is a city in eastern Ontario, about 260 km northeast of Toronto and west of Montreal, Quebec at the easternmost tip of Lake Ontario where it meets the St. Lawrence River. Kingston is well known for large institutions such as Queen's University, St Lawrence College, the Royal Military College of Canada, and government offices. Kingston has many historic buildings, including military forts and towers, the original parliament buildings of Canada (now part of Kingston General Hospital), and many homes of Sir John A MacDonald.
Being right on the water, Kingston is home to many water sports such as sailing, motor boating, fishing, and scuba diving. Kingston has the feel of a small city with a population of 152,352, yet has all the advantages of being only a few hours from big city shopping and entertainment.
Right in the centre of Kingston, minutes away from a very bustling downtown, on the main street of Princess Street, is Princess Street United Church (PSUC). Kingston and PSUC are all overwhelmingly warm and generous communities where wonderful things happen when we come together.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our church is a community of faith of the United Church of Canada.
Learn more about the United Church of Canada visit their website here →
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We hold weekly church services every Sunday at 10:00am, and we welcome you to join us either in person or online.
For those who prefer to attend virtually, our services are available to watch live on our website, where you can tune in from the comfort of your home and still participate in the service with our community. We strive to make our services accessible and inclusive for everyone, and we look forward to worshiping with you, whether in person or online.
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At our church, you can expect to find a warm and welcoming community where people of all backgrounds come together to worship, learn, and support one another.
More specifically during our Sunday service, you can expect:
To join us in a time of worship where the congregation will sing hymns or other songs and offer prayers and praises to God.
To join us in applicable scripture readings from the Bible and gain insights and reflections on the meaning of the passages.
To join us in communion and share bread and wine (grape juice) symbolize the body and blood of Christ.
To join us in fellowship after the service where members of the congregation can socialize and connect.
Whether you are looking to deepen your spiritual connection, make new friends, or contribute to a greater cause, our church offers a variety of programs, services, and events designed to meet your needs and interests.
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At our church, we welcome and embrace people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and beliefs with open arms. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone is valued and respected.
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We encourage our church community to express themselves in a way that feels authentic and comfortable to them, including their choice of clothing. Whether you prefer to dress formally or casually, we welcome you as you are and value your unique identity and individuality.
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We welcome and appreciate all volunteers at our church who are willing to contribute their time and skills to make a positive impact in our community.
For more information on how to get involved and the various volunteering opportunities available, please visit our volunteering page for more details →
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When you make a donation to our church, your contribution goes towards supporting our various programs and initiatives, such as community outreach, worship services, and more.
Your generosity enables us to continue serving and supporting our community, and we are deeply grateful for your support. To learn more about donations and to donate today, please visit our donation page →
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In 2019, our church at 484 Albert Street was sold to Home Base Housing for their new youth cultural center. More information here →
Although we have the ability to utilize some of the space still, the ongoing construction interrupted our regularly scheduled Sunday service and events.
In fall 2021, we temporally relocated to St. Luke’s at 236 Nelson Street. We are currently still happily residing at St. Luke’s providing Sunday service and activities.