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Members and Friends of FirstU marching in the 2025 Pride Parage, carrying our FirstU Banner, which reads "However you identify, whomever you love, whatever your heritage, we welcome you".
Members and Friends of FirstU marching in the 2025 Pride Parage, carrying our FirstU Banner, which reads "However you identify, whomever you love, whatever your heritage, we welcome you".

Welcome!

FirstU Logo - Green "chalice hands" holding a hovering green flame.

Our Church Isn't Just for Sunday Services;

It's a Gathering Place Where We Co-Create Our Community of Like Minds and Shared Values, ​Every Day.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Friday July 3 2026

First Unitarian will be open today from 10am-8pm as a cooling station.

If possible, please call 613-725-1066 to let us know when you will be arriving

so we can ensure we have volunteers here to greet you.

Light snacks and drinks are provided.

Welcome to the First Unitarian Congregation, a liberal, spiritual congregation located on the shores of the Ottawa River. We're a diverse, multigenerational community built on a variety of philosophical and faith traditions,

and we're committed to turning compassion into action.


We're inclusive and caring, offer small group ministry, several choirssocial and personal growth eventsReligious Exploration for children and youth, and much more. Our social justice action groups are committed to climate action, mental health, affordable housing, food securityIndigenous reconciliation, and supporting our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
 

30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa ON K2A 4A1      613-725-1066      uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca
"We kindle the light within and inspire courage to nurture the web of life and to create a just and compassionate world."
Reverend Lara Cowtan, Minister

Sunday Info

Sunday Mornings

A photo of FirstU's Worship Hall, featuring our baby grand piano in front of our bright wall of windows. A headshot of Reverend Lara, waving, has been added to the foreground of the image.

 

SUNDAY

SERVICE

Join us for Sunday Service at
10:30am.  
You may also watch online!​

​​This Week's Service:

Music Is Divine

With Jenn Berntson

Click HERE to watch the Service online

Click HERE to view the latest Order
of Service

Upcoming Services:

  • July 12: Unitarians Face a New Age (CUC National Service)

  • July 19: Dancing is Divine (Jonathan Dench)

 

RELIGIOUS
EXPLORATION

Here's what our UU Kids will be doing this Summer:

During our Summer Program, we will be spending a lot of time outside! Please remember sunscreen and hats to protect from the sun, and be aware that there will be a risk of ticks. Please perform a tick check when possible.

 

​​​​​​​​​​

 

HOSPITALITY

HOUR

Attending in Person?
We invite you to join us in Fellowship Hall immediately after our Sunday service for coffee and conversation.

During our church year, there is hot food available for purchase from Mia's Indian Cuisine (cash preferred).

Our After-Service Discussion is on Summer Break and will return at Ingathering in September.

Green Mug

Accessing FirstU's Campus During Construction (Updated June 2026)

Access from Richmond Road

You can access Cleary Avenue by turning north at Byron/Redwood into the campus.

Updates on the detour, and the 2024-2027 ​Richmond Road closure, including maps showing entrance and exit routes, have been added to our Cleary Detour Page and will continue to be updated as information becomes available. Click HERE to view the map.

On Campus

We will have construction on the First Unitarian campus beginning October or November 2026, and will be reduced to only 35 parking spaces for the church. There is parking on side-streets within 2 to 3 blocks, and the #11 OC Transpo route passes us with a one-block walk in to the building.

Events

Upcoming Events at FirstU

A poster with white text on a turquoise background. The text invites you to take part in a FirstU Building Tour on the first Sunday of every month. Meet at the Lectern in Worship Hall at 11:45am, after the Service, and get to know your way around FirstU!
Light blue text against a dark green background, surrounded by cards and board game pieces. The text invites you to drop in at FirstU's games night, 6:30pm in Room three. Now on the first AND third Wednesdays of every month.
A photo of people in business clothes, with spades at the ready, implying a new build about to begin. The poster invites you to save the date - Wednesday, August 19 - so you can take part in the Groundbreaking Ceremony for our affordable housing development. The ceremony will be in the afternoon. Further details to come!
A poster featuring a rainbow background and hands waving various Pride flags. The poster invites you to join our Pride Parade Prep event on Sunday, August 23, at 12:30pm. This event is open to everyone planning to participate in the FirstU Pride Parade Brigade or otherwise attend Pride. Click the image to find all the details in text format!
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