The Church Society of the Diocese of Quebec

Overview

The Church Society of the Diocese of Quebec is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to supporting the Anglican Communion in eastern and central Quebec. Established in 1884, it is recognized as the oldest missionary society in the Canadian Anglican Church. The society plays a crucial role in facilitating self-government within the Anglican community by providing a framework for lay involvement in church affairs.

Mission

The Church Society is committed to spreading Christ’s message through acts of praise and reconciling love. Its mission involves being bearers of the Good News, ministers of God’s grace, and faithful stewards of God’s Church and Kingdom[2]. The society’s overarching goal is to support "missionary labour," which includes various initiatives to enhance the life and work of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec.

Activities and Support

• Clergy Support: Provides financial support for the stipends of clergy and aids candidates for holy orders.
• Christian Education: Contributes to the development and maintenance of Christian education programs.
• Church Infrastructure: Assists in the maintenance of church buildings and the care of cemeteries.
• Resource Distribution: Distributes prayer books and Bibles to congregations.
• Administration and Governance: Offers significant financial backing for the ministry of the bishop and the administration of the diocese. Approximately a third of the funds for these purposes are provided by the Church Society.

Financial Operations

The Church Society generates substantial funds through investment proceeds. It is responsible for managing about 90% of the mission funds within the Diocese of Quebec and stewards several parochial and cemetery endowments[1][2].

Jurisdiction

The Anglican Diocese of Quebec, which the Church Society serves, covers an expansive area of approximately 720,000 square kilometers. This includes regions from the Magdalen Islands in the east to Kawawachikamach in the north and the Eastern Townships in the south. The diocese encompasses about 60 congregations across this vast territory[2].

Legal Status

The Church Society is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency under the charitable registration number 106926967RR0001, allowing it to operate as a registered charity[2][3].