Centennial United Church History 1891-1986 by Margaret Livey
This article about the CJUC Relocation appeared in the March 2006 edition of the Nikkei Voice (Japanese Canadian newspaper)
Centennial-Japanese United Church Relocates
After close to four years of remembering the past, examining the present and predicting future trends, Centennial-Japanese United Church in Toronto has relocated from its original location of 701 Dovercourt Road in the Dufferin/Bloor area of downtown to 49 Bogert Avenue in the Yonge/Hwy 401 area of the rapidly developing area of the former city of North York.
In 1891, Centennial Methodist Church established the original building at Dovercourt. At church union in 1925, Centennial United Church was formed with a large congregation that prompted building expansion for the thousands of members. After the second world war, the changing city demographics prompted an invitation to Toronto Japanese United Church Nisei (English-speaking) and Issei congregations to become tenants at Dovercourt in 1958. With Centennial’s survival in balance doing the 1970’s, Toronto Japanese Nisei, invited Centennial to start amalgamation talks which came into being in 1986 as Centennial-Japanese United Church. As the century closed, CJUC began to examine its future needs, and as a result of research and meditation, decided to sell 701 Dovercourt and become tenants in another space. On January 8, 2006, CJUC held its last service at Dovercourt with an emotional farewell service, which led to a jubilant opening service the next week at 49 Bogert Avenue, home of Lansing United Church.
Members and friends of CJUC are thankful to God and the church leaders who skilfully guided this long and difficult process, which has resulted in a breath of life for a congregation with a rich and diverse history.
For more details about Centennial-Japanese United Church, please see the website at: www.cjuc.org