Ralph Connor and Rundle: now amalgamated!
Early in 2021, Rundle Memorial United Church in Banff approached Ralph Connor Memorial United Church in Canmore, to consider what a shared journey might look like. “Ralph Connor and Rundle” (“R&R”) working groups were set up, and have continued to meet regularly. We have worshipped together since March 2021, have had a number of shared events, as two United Church congregations seeking to engage in Christ’s Mission in a variety of ways in the Bow Valley. Rundle Memorial had already had their congregational vote, in favour of amalgamation; now it was Ralph Connor’s turn. A Ralph Connor congregational meeting on Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 after 10:00 AM Worship, voted 90% in favour of the amalgamation (35 in favour, 4 opposed, with 3 abstentions). Chinook Winds Region has approved the amalgamation as of January 1, 2023! The newly amalgamated Community of Faith will continue to be known as “Ralph Connor Memorial United Church.” The final AGM report for the Banff and Canmore congregations is found here.
While the Canmore building was closed for Accessibility Upgrades renovations from February 6th to late May 2023, Sunday Worship and many Church Activities moved to the Rundle Memorial UC building in Banff. While most Sunday services will be in Canmore, we will occasionally worship in Banff – check the home page of this site for dates!
A bit about Rundle Memorial United Church, Banff
Rundle Memorial is located at the corner of Banff Avenue and Buffalo Street in Banff, AB; a parking map of Banff is here.
A church has stood on the present building’s location since 1886, the first to be built in Banff. It was originally a Methodist congregation, then a Local Union Church from 1916 until the formation of The United Church of Canada in 1925; the present building was constructed in 1927, following the 1925 formation of the United Church of Canada. The Church was renamed in 1941 after Rev. Robert T. Rundle, the first Christian missionary to arrive in Banff, from Cornwall, England from 1840-1848.
The Rundle Memorial sanctuary has a seating capacity of nearly 200, and features stained glass windows which commemorate Canada’s Centennial in 1967. To learn more about the Rundle building and other historic Banff locations on Banff’s Heritage Map, click here!
The congregation is very involved in local outreach, through its Thrift Shop, hosting the local playschool, and utilizing its Manse in creative ways to address current housing needs. To learn more about the Rundle United Thrift Store, click here, and to volunteer call (403) 762-2075 or email: thrift@rundleunited.ca
The entrance to the Thrift Shop is on Banff Avenue. At present it is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00-5:00 PM, and on Wednesday and Friday from 5:00-8:00 PM.
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