Our Building

Built of red cedar and concrete, our building, constructed in 1967, is memorable for its soaring spire and the beauty of its interior design.  Its architect, James B. Craig, won a second place in an annual city design contest run by the Ottawa chapter of the Ontario Association of Architects.    Below are pictures of the front and side entrances.

Items of Interest In Worship Hall

Bust of Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova

Dr. Hitschmanova. a Czechoslovakian refugee during World War II, arrived in Canada and founded the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada with the help of the people of the Ottawa Unitarian Congregation. In recognition of her work she has received awards from various governments, and Canada has made her a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest award. In 2009, Unitarians celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth.

84 copper-enamel dishes

These dishes were made by children in our RE program shortly after the church was built.  They depict the children’s ideas children when they were asked to look up and around, seeing all things—sky, earth, water, people—and to reach out to them spiritually and physically.

Memorial panels

Built in 1972 by congregation member Tom Dougherty, the panels incorporate bits of brightly coloured glass and circular emblems which represent all the religions of the worlds.  The Memorial Committee, at the time, undertook to place small plaques on the sides of these panels whenever an in memoriam donation was made.

The Meditation Garden

This garden is on the west side of the building and is maintained by the congregation. It includes trees, bushes, and flowers as well as a bridge, sculptures, and seating in the shade.