Baha’i

The Baha’I Community of Ottawa offers personal prayer and meditation, and the community holds regular devotional gatherings for collective worship.

Are you interested in learning more about the Baha’I faith? Check out the Baha’I Community of Canada for beliefs and learning, as well as where to connect with the Baha’I community in your area.

Buddhist

Ottawa Buddhist Society services Theravada Buddhists of all backgrounds in and around Ottawa. They offer various activities including evening meetings and mindfulness sessions.

The True North Insight Meditation Centre offers a great selection of online programs and activities, including programs on anti-racism, grief and various sitting groups.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa offers general meditation classes that can improve the quality and meaning of life through the development of inner peace, compassion, and wisdom. They have a range of classes and all are welcome.

Curious about Buddhism? Check out this quick National Geographic overview!

Christian

Curious about exploring the different Christian denominations? The Gospel Coalition outlines a Quick Guide to Christian Denominations for you.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa is one of the 30 dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada and provides a variety of supporting programming including housing for women, day programs for people living with poverty or experiencing homeless, a refugee ministry office and a counselling centre.

Trinity Anglican Church is located at 1230 Bank Street in Ottawa, within walking distance of Carleton University. Trinity offers worship services every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (classic), noon (messe en français) and 4:00 p.m. Connect (contemporary). Everyone is welcome, and Trinity has a vibrant community of students and young adults.

Chinese Christian Church

The Chinese Christian Church of Ottawa (CCCO) is composed of three congregations, the English, Cantonese and Mandarin congregations, that worship and fellowship in the three languages. CCCO is currently offering their Sunday services both in person and on Zoom.

Eastern Orthodox

Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church is a parish of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. They welcome the exploration of Orthodoxy and do not require you to be an Orthodox Christian to visit. The church offers various youth group and adult programming.

Roman Catholic

St. Mary’s Parish is a Roman Catholic community where everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. For mass times and event information, please visit their website.

Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Eucharistic and Marian parish that is home for vibrant worship, reconciliation and prayer, as well as an engine for spiritual growth.

Mennonite

The Ottawa Mennonite Church are a welcoming community, that believes in diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, and believe God’s love transcends all barriers. They offer worship, community, as well as working toward peace and justice.

Presbyterian

Knox Presbyterian Church is committed to making your first visit a success. The church is located on the corner of Elgin Street and Lisgar, and host a variety of ways for you to connect with their Presbyterian community including Knox Open Wednesdays, luncheons and worship every Sunday morning.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church offers worship services every Sunday both in person and livestreamed. Located downtown, St. Andrew’s is an inclusive and welcoming church with recordings of previous Sunday worships available.

Note: Presbyterians also claim the names “Reformed” and “Protestant.”

Quakers (Society of Friends)

Currently, Ottawa Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) are happening virtually. The Ottawa Quakers gather on Sundays and Wednesdays (virtually) and have a Young Adult Friend Gathering group for people in their 20s and 30s. For more information, you can email areoottawa2020@gmail.com.

Ukrainian Orthodox

The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Assumption of the Blessed Virgin brings together Ukrainian culture and heritage with the Orthodox Christian faith to form a vibrant and living tradition in Canada. The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral acts as a connector to the greater Ukrainian community while offering a variety of services at their church.

United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada defines itself as a church with a rich, progressive and continuing history of welcoming all in the name of Christ. The United Church of Canada affirms that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome. Additionally, the United Church is opposed to discrimination, and seek to eliminated sexism, misogyny, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

If you’re looking to connect with a United Church of Canada in Ottawa, check out these two churches located near Carleton:

• Glebe-St. James United Church: located right in the Glebe
• Centretown United Church: located right in Centretown

The Dominion-Chalmers Church is a United Church in the heart of Ottawa that offers the chance to connect with God and the community through times of worship, prayer, study and fellowship. If you visit Dominion-Chalmers, you will spot the class Carleton signs out front – located in the same space as the church is the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, a space dedicated to arts, performance and learning.

Hindu

Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions, with roots dating back more than 4,000 years. With no specific founder, it can be difficult to trace its history, traditions, and philosophies. If you’re interested in learning more about Hinduism, check out History’s overview on Hinduism beliefs, symbols and more.

The Vishva Shakti Durga Mandir Association promotes and practices the ideals of Hinduism and Hindu-based religions through worship, teaching and education. Located near Lansdowne, Durga Mandir Ottawa offers a wide range of events and religious services.

Indigenous Spiritual Practices

The Ontario Human Rights Commission does not define Indigenous Spirituality, in recognition of its diversity and Indigenous peoples’ right to define and determine it for themselves. The Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement at Carleton offers a wide range of information and services for First Nation, Metis and Inuit students to socialize, study and participate in academic and cultural programming. The Ojigkwanong Indigenous Student Centre features a medicine lodge, kitchenette, lounge, study space, computer lab and telephone booth.

Wabano Centre for Indigenous Health brings together the knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people and cultures into one space that celebrates the resilience and beauty of their unique communities. They provide healthcare, initiatives, education and advocacy, as well as service excellence for Indigenous people by Indigenous people.

Islam

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. There are two major sects in Islam: the Sunnis and the Shiites, with Sunnis making up approximately 90% of Muslims worldwide. Learn more about Islam from History.

The Islam Care Centre has been active in Ottawa since 1993, and offers spiritual, social and mental health services. They have space for daily Salah and Jumu’ah, trained counsellors of the Muslim Family Services of Ottawa and an online Islamic library!

The Ottawa Mosque and the Ottawa Muslim Association offer a range of services designed for your unique needs including an adult Quran class.

If you’re looking to connect on campus, check out the Carleton University Muslim Students’ Association (MSA)! MSA is your resource on campus for all things pertaining to practicing your faith and having the services necessary to do so comfortably.

Judaism

Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years! The history of Judaism is essential for understanding the Jewish faith, and you can learn more about the rich heritage of law, culture and tradition here.

Temple Israel is Ottawa’s Reform congregation where Jewish life happens. They encourage a variety of ways to participate in Jewish life, including singing, praying, engaging with traditional texts and more. Weekly programming is available, and services are both live and recorded.

Paganism and Wicca

Pagans of Carleton is a resource group for Pagan-identifying and Pagan-curious members at Carleton University. They build community on campus amongst Pagan students, as well as staff, faculty, alumni and the local Ottawa community. Pagans of Carleton host social get-togethers, sharing of traditions and hands-on learning of craft and ritual techniques.

Taoist

Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion that instructs believers on how to exist in harmony with the universe.

The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism is located in Old Ottawa South and teach various arts including changing, rituals and ceremonies, meditation, and the 108 moves, all of which provide a path for transformation by reconnecting each person to the Tao.

Unitarian Universalist

Unitarian Universalism seeks an individual truth and Unitarian Universalists are bound together by the spiritual sources and eight principles of their religious faith. They draw upon religious pluralism that helps deepen their understanding and expand their vision. The religion combines two religious movements: Unitarianism and Universalism.

The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa follows the tenets of Universalism, and is a community built on a variety of philosophical and faith backgrounds committed to turning compassion into action. First Unitarian is an inclusive and caring group that focuses on issues such as climate action, Indigenous issues, race and diversity, mental health, and community housing. They have worship services and a variety of ways to get involved.