Trinity United in Prince George, B.C., is flourishing. In 2018, the church combined two congregations, one located in the downtown core and the other, a 1960s United church based in the suburbs. The amalgamation not only established a new mission-based community of faith, but retained 98 percent of both congregations. The result is one church with two bustling campuses.
“By any metrics you choose, we’re thriving,” says Trinity minister Rev. Bob Fillier. The church had more baptisms in 2024 than in the previous seven years, he says. Sunday attendance is 100 adults and 20 children in person, with over 300 weekly views online. Not to mention an added annual financial surplus, and two to three new folks visiting every week.
Trinity board chair Glen Schmidt credits Fillier and past minister David Wood, who served Knox United, one of the two former congregations, for the merger’s success.
“Bob [Fillier] has been critical for us, he has the enthusiasm we need, he doesn’t get discouraged easily and helped us define our vision,” says Schmidt, also noting the effectiveness of Trinity’s board members. Trinity transformed their board to align it with the church’s inclusive and Affirming mission. “The board sets the ministry priorities and they oversee the whole mission of the church.” explains Fillier.
Trinity Downtown — with the support of $400,000 worth of arts and community development grants from the province, municipality and the United Church — was upgraded into a performing arts centre and community meeting space. While the church still regularly holds programs downtown, the suburban campus is now the primary worship and administrative space.
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Care for the community is central to Trinity. A recent study by Halo, a project that measures the economic impact of a church to its community, showed that Trinity’s 200-plus volunteers added $1.2 million to Prince George annually. The volunteers are omnipresent throughout the city, from care homes, libraries, health centres and schools to arts and community councils. The church also has a partnership with Harmony House, an Indigenous outreach organization which provides “supportive housing for women who are struggling with mental health and/or problematic substance use, are pregnant or new mothers in danger of losing their child to the Care of Ministry of Children and Families,” according to their website.
Trinity leases three unserviced lots behind their suburban campus to Harmony House for $10 for the full term of the 60-year lease. This allowed Harmony House to build a new facility, which is now up and running. The church also serves on Harmony House’s board, volunteers in their kitchen and donates goods throughout the year and at Christmas.
Kerry Knox is a relatively new member at Trinity. The retired educator had been away from church for decades but was looking for a worshipping community. “I Googled churches that were diverse and inclusive and Trinity popped up.” She found the experience welcoming and stuck around. “I’m in,” she recalls thinking. “I love what the church is doing and how it cares for the marginalized.”
Godspower Igbecha is a Nigerian refugee who left his country because he was persecuted for being gay. He observed that Trinity is “very different from traditional churches. It believes in diversity and embraces everyone.” Speaking about the church’s worship services, he says, “When I worship here, I feel loved by God.”
Trinity has captured the essence of the Christian message. It gives itself away in love and that generosity is resonating throughout the city of Prince George.
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Rev. Christopher White is a United Church minister who lives in Hamilton.
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My church has started a process towards how to become a thriving church.
This Good News article was timely, affirming & inspiring. Leadership is critical.it is a challenging but excitig time for the United Church.