Metropolitan United Church
Metropolitan United Church is a large church in downtown Toronto, Canada. It is one of the largest and most prominent churches of the United Church of Canada. It is located on Queen Street East at the corner of Church Street.
The congregation was originally Methodist and was founded in 1818. It was originally housed in a small chapel on King Street. In 1833 a larger structure was completed on Adelaide and it moved to its present location in 1872 when the building was dedicated the as the Metropolitan Wesleyan Methodist Church. The church became known as the "Cathedral of Methodism" and played an important role in the city that was occasionally nicknamed the "Methodist Rome".
In 1925 the Methodist Church of Canada merged with the Presbyterians and Congregationalists to form the United Church of Canada. Metropolitan was thus given its current name. The first ever general council of the new church was held there in 1925. In 1928 the church was almost destroyed by fire, but it was quickly rebuilt keeping the same design. In 1930 the Casavant Frères installed the largest pipe organ in Canada in the newly refurbished building. The church is also known for its 54 bell carillon that is regularly heard throughout the neighbourhood.
Today the church is known for its progressiveness. It has long played an important role in Toronto's Gay and Lesbian community that is centred just to the north on Church and Wellesley. The church also offers a wide array of services for the poor and homeless.