About Our Church
A joint Baptist and United Church congregation in Vernon, Ontario.
Who we are
Osgoode Baptist and Vernon United Church is one congregation formed from two traditions. In November 1927, following a meeting with the Deacons of the Osgoode Baptist Church in Vernon, it was agreed that the United Church congregation would worship together with the Baptists. We continue to worship and work together — all as part of God’s family — as the Osgoode Baptist and Vernon United Church.
Our present sanctuary, completed in 1923, is a solid-brick landmark with two square towers and a Georgian-pine ceiling. The cornerstone was laid by Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden in July 1923.
Our Mission
The mission of the Osgoode Baptist and Vernon United Church is to love and worship God while we welcome, love, teach, and challenge people to become God’s faithful followers. In obedience to God’s Word we will reach out and invite others to obey and serve Jesus as Lord.
Life together
Worship
Sunday morning services with a shared pulpit. Through the summer we worship with our Presbyterian neighbours, and at Easter and Christmas the pulpit is shared with the Anglicans and Presbyterians.
Baptist Women
Descended from the 1881 Foreign Mission Circle, our afternoon fellowship has carried on missionary and community work for more than 135 years.
Pastoral Care
A dedicated pastoral care team offers workshops each spring and fall, open to the community.
Children & Youth
Weekly Sunday School and a week of Vacation Bible School every summer — an outreach to children across the community.
Outreach
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, winter clothing drives for Centre 507, support for Naomi House, the local Food Bank, and the Retired Baptist Ministries.
Music
Osgoode has a long-held reputation for musical talent. Seasonal musical nights support the Osgoode Care Centre and the Food Bank.
Our Heritage
Founded in 1837 by three families from Perthshire, Scotland — the McMartins, McCauls, and Fishers — our congregation is the mother church to several Baptist churches across the region. Over our history we have sent missionaries to India, Bolivia, and beyond, and raised up pastors, teachers, and faithful servants in every generation.