History

Opened on June 27, 1913, Third Avenue United Church is a solid stone structure based on English Gothic design. Unique to the city outside the University grounds, the stone-work on the main body of the church is a buff Tyndal stone from Winnipeg with trimmings of the same in pale blue grey.

Third Avenue United Church is significant to Saskatoon for more than its architectural heritage. Functioning as an auditorium in the early days of the city, it was and still is a popular venue for concerts. It has also hosted important political events.

On November 24, 1921, T.A. Crerar, leader of the national Progressive party (before merger with the Conservative party) spoke to a crowd of 3,000 supporters. It was also the site of the formaion of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.

A speech by American pool expert Aaron Sapiro on August 7, 1923 before 2,000 at Third Avenue Methodist Church inspired the Saskatchewan Grain Growers' Association (SGGA) and the Farmer's Union to collaborate in signing up farmers for the Pool.

Three years later, in the third week of July 1926, the SGGA held a convention at Third Avenue while the Farmer's Union met at Knox United Church only blocks away. When both groups voted to form a single organization, the Farmer's Union members joined the SGGA at Third Avenue where the first meeting took place.



Over the years many graduates of the University of Saskatchewan, the Normal School, St. Andrews and City Hospital nurses' training programme convocated here. Third Avenue United Church is currently home for the Saskatoon Children's Choir and the Saskatoon Symphony Chamber Orchestra.

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