Third Avenue United Church, Saskatoon

Standing proudly on 3rd Avenue North, the Third Avenue United Church is one of Saskatoon’s architectural and cultural crown jewels. Established in 1912 and completed in 1913, this grand English Gothic-style church was designed by architect John N. Semmens and built from locally sourced limestone and Tyndall stone. It remains the city’s largest stone structure from foundation to spire, and a striking reminder of Saskatoon’s early 20th-century boomtown ambitions.

The building features two asymmetrical towers, pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, and an impressive series of hammer-beam oak rafters that support the roof without interior columns. Inside, the sanctuary seats around 1,600 people and boasts one of Canada’s largest Casavant organs-with over 2,400 pipes cleverly hidden behind a decorative screen. Three massive stained-glass windows flood the space with light and color, adding both spiritual depth and artistic beauty.

From the start, the church was more than a house of worship. It hosted concerts, political speeches, radio broadcasts, and graduation ceremonies, acting as a civic auditorium before Saskatoon had one. It’s here that the seeds of the Wheat Pool were planted, and where music lovers still gather for acoustically renowned performances.

Despite dwindling congregation numbers and financial challenges, the building was designated a Municipal Heritage Property in 2017, safeguarding its exterior, iconic organ, and intricate rafters. Though once nearly lost to commercial development, this church endures as a landmark of faith, resilience, and community spirit-an echo of the city’s lofty dreams etched in stone.