A Journey to Becoming a Community Hub

“Whatever the problem, the answer is community.” - Meg Wheatley

Since 2007, The Andrew has been evolving from a traditional Presbyterian Church into a vibrant community hub in Picton, Ontario. This congregation calls itself a Circle of Friends. With a vision rooted in inclusion, creativity, and collaboration, it hosts dozens of community initiatives—from arts and culture to not-for-profits to alternative spiritual practices. In a changing and often turbulent world, this historic building has been transformed so as to be a place to connect, to create, to celebrate; it has become “a space for every story.”

The journey of The Andrew began with the question: how can we serve the community’s needs for connection and belonging in the twenty-first century?

We started with music, by acquiring an Estonia grand piano to replace the organ. We embraced a diverse range of musical genres, including jazz, Celtic, folk, and classical. Changing the music was essential to changing the ethos of this traditional space.

In 2008, we expanded our mission by launching a Ten Thousand Villages store. This initiative supported fair-trade artisans globally, demonstrating our commitment to justice and equity on a global scale.

In 2011, we removed the pews and installed comfortable chairs and a stage in order to create a multipurpose community space. The renovated venue hosted concerts, parties, educational panels, single-malt scotch tastings and more. That same year, we launched Reaching for Rainbows, a program supporting vulnerable girls aged 6-9, which became an independent not-for-profit by 2019. Reaching for Rainbows, now in its fourteenth year, meets in our Common Room throughout the week.

In 2014, we made the building fully accessible; in 2015, we added a public labyrinth, a meditative outdoor space symbolizing connection and harmony. The community garden followed in 2017, addressing food security and encouraging mindful relationships with the land. These projects illustrate our commitment to serving the community’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

In 2018, in response to the Calls to Action by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we reached out to Metis artist Christi Belcourt. With her permission, we installed her iconic piece Wisdom of the Universe on the north external wall. We added the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address in 2021 as we sought to include the story of our Mohawk neighbours on Tyendinaga.

In 2019, we engaged architect and glass artist Doreen Balabanoff to imagine a more inviting, inclusive and contemporary sanctuary. With her recommendations in mind, we installed skylights to flood the space with natural light and then refreshed every surface with paint. The organ and traditional liturgical furniture were removed, unveiling a flexible and welcoming canvas for community use.

In 2024, we decided to rename the building The Andrew–sending a strong signal to the community that this was “a space for every story”. The new name honours the building’s historic identity while broadening its purpose for a new season.

This congregation, the Circle of Friends, will maintain its own sacred practices and programs, including a Sunday service, in The Andrew while welcoming the community programming of friends and partners.

While The Andrew marks a new season, the roots of this historical public space are deep. 

The Andrew traces its lineage to March 10, 1833, when St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church held its first service at St. John’s Hall. The congregation, organized by Rev. James Rogers, constructed its first church on land acquired in 1837, completing the structure in 1842. Over time, the building evolved with significant renovations in 1851 and the excavation of a basement in 1878. After a devastating fire in 1947, the current stone church was built, with its dedication taking place on May 25, 1949.

For over a century, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was a steadfast symbol of faith and community in Prince Edward County. Today, its transformation into The Andrew honours this legacy while embracing a more inclusive vision: to be a place where community thrives, creativity flourishes, and connections are forged.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, once upon a time…

“Tomorrow belongs to those of us who conceive it of belonging to everyone; who lend the best of ourselves to it, and with joy.” - Audre Lorde