Church school at First Presbyterian
Church school in downtown Edmonton
Raising kind, respectful, confident kids takes more than one household. Every Sunday, children here learn to honour their parents, tell right from wrong, speak up, and make friends who bring out their best — whatever your family believes.
- Every SundayDuring the 11:00 a.m. service
- Downtown Edmonton10025 105 Street NW
- Every family welcomeWhatever you believe
- Nursery careFor the youngest children
What children learn at church school
You are your child's first and most important teacher. Church school backs you up, reinforcing the values you teach at home with an hour each week of learning, friendship and faith.
Character and conscience
Honesty, kindness, fairness, forgiveness and courage. We help children think through right and wrong while they're young, so good judgment becomes their own — at school, online and with friends.
Confidence to lead
Reading aloud, speaking up, helping younger children and serving the community. Small chances each week to take responsibility and set an example among their peers.
Good friends
A circle of friends from families who care about the same things you do, and caring adults who know your child by name — the kind of influence every parent hopes for.
A faith that grows with them
Children hear the great stories of the Bible — stories that have shaped families for thousands of years — and learn that they are loved, and that a good life is one spent serving others.
“Honor your father and mother” — this is the first commandment with a promise: “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
Teaching children to honour parents and elders
Respect starts at home.
It's one of the oldest pieces of wisdom there is, and it comes with a promise. Children who learn to honour their parents, respect their grandparents, listen to their teachers and value the experience of their elders grow into adults others can count on.
So we teach it plainly: say please and thank you, listen when others speak, help at home, care for the people who cared for you. Parents notice the difference.
A church school for every Edmonton family
You don't need to be Christian for your child to belong here. Respect, honesty, kindness, responsibility and caring for others are values every family can stand behind, and they're at the heart of everything we teach.
Those values come from somewhere. First Presbyterian is a congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, in the Reformed Christian tradition, and has been part of downtown Edmonton since 1881. We believe God made each child and loves them, that Jesus Christ shows us how to live, and that the Bible is where we hear God's word for our lives. What we teach follows our national church's statement of faith, Living Faith, at a child's level, with stories, questions, crafts, music and prayer.
Curious about what your child will hear? Come and see a class, or ask us anything.
We do not exist for ourselves. We will actively communicate the caring presence of God in our lives and share our resources and talents with others in the larger community, thus following Christ's example of service to all.
More for kids and families, beyond Sunday school
Character grows best when it's put into practice, and families do better when they don't go it alone. Here's what's coming next.
For children and youth
Homework help
A quiet table and a patient helper. Children get a hand with their regular schoolwork — reading, math and projects — and learn good study habits that carry into the classroom.
Big Buddies mentorship
Older youth paired with younger children as mentors: someone a few years ahead to look up to, who helps with life's big and small questions and cheers them on. Our older kids learn what it means to set an example for others.
Field trips
Church school heads out together on field trips: days of adventure, learning and fun with friends, planned and supervised by our leaders.
Children's charity drives
Children collect, sort and give to people in need in our city. They learn that kids can make a real difference, and that we care for our neighbours, especially children who have less than they do.
For parents and families
Trusted sitters
Mature teenagers of faith from our church family, matched with single parents and young families who need dependable, affordable child care during the week, in your own home. Parents get help they can trust, and teens gain real work experience.
Parent network
Get to know other parents who share your values. Swap advice, set up playdates, and support one another through the busy years of raising children.
Who teaches church school
Trusting someone with your children is a big decision. Here's how we earn that trust.
Screened and trained volunteers
Our children's programs follow Leading with Care, the national policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada for protecting children and vulnerable people. It sets out how the adults who work with children are screened, trained and supervised.
Overseen by the church
The Christian Education Committee, answerable to the Session, the church's elders, chooses and supports our church school superintendents, teachers, youth leaders and nursery coordinator, and reviews how the program is run.
Parents are always welcome
You know your child best. Ask our teachers anything, come and see a class for yourself, or talk with our minister, Rev. Dr. Mark Chiang. We'll gladly answer your questions about what we teach and how.
How Sunday school works
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Arrive a few minutes early
Come in through the arched porch on 105 Street (see parking and entrances). A greeter will show you where to go and tell you what's on for children that week.
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Worship begins at 11:00 a.m.
Children are always welcome in the sanctuary with their family.
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Church school
During the service, children who'd like to go take part in church school with their teachers. Nursery care is offered for the youngest.
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Stay for coffee
After worship everyone is invited to stay for coffee, tea and conversation — a relaxed time to meet other families.
Questions? Ask church school
Ask about church school, the nursery, or parties and outings coming up.
churchschool@firstpresbyterian.ca
Church office hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Tuesday to Friday.
Church school near you in downtown Edmonton
Our church school meets at First Presbyterian Church, in the heart of downtown Edmonton on 105 Street, just north of 100 Avenue.
There's parking beside the church, and across the street on Sunday mornings. Bay/Enterprise Square LRT Station is a short walk east, and downtown buses run along Jasper Avenue (transit details). A step-free elevator entrance off the church parking lot reaches the sanctuary and the basement.
Church school questions parents ask
Anything else? Email churchschool@firstpresbyterian.ca.
Is there a church school near me in downtown Edmonton?
Yes. First Presbyterian Church is at 10025 105 Street NW, just north of 100 Avenue in downtown Edmonton, a short walk from Bay/Enterprise Square LRT Station. Church school meets every Sunday during the 11:00 a.m. service.
We're not religious. Is church school still for our family?
Yes. You don't need to be Christian, Presbyterian or a church member. The values we teach — respect, honesty, kindness, responsibility and service — are ones every family can stand behind, and you're always welcome to ask what we teach.
When does church school meet?
Every Sunday, during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Seasonal parties and special events happen through the year.
Is church school the same as Sunday school?
Yes. Presbyterian churches often call Sunday school "church school". It's the church's education program for children.
What will my child learn?
Bible stories and the Christian faith, taught at a child's level, along with the values that go with it: honouring parents and respecting elders, honesty, kindness, fairness, forgiveness and service to others.
Do you help with homework?
Homework help for children's regular schoolwork is coming soon. Email us if you'd like to hear when it starts.
Who teaches church school?
Volunteers from the congregation, chosen and supported by the church's Christian Education Committee and working under Leading with Care, The Presbyterian Church in Canada's policy for protecting children.
Is there care for babies and toddlers?
Yes. Nursery care is offered for the youngest children.
How do we get started?
Just come on a Sunday and ask a greeter, or email churchschool@firstpresbyterian.ca with any questions first.
Bring your children to church school this Sunday
Church school meets every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Want to help teach instead? We'd love to hear from you too. Adults can also join our Bible study and other ministries, and families are welcome at our upcoming events.
