About Our Congregation
Rooted in Faith, Growing in Love — Serving Edmonton Since Our Founding
Our Story
The Windermere Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses was founded in the early 2000s to serve the rapidly expanding Windermere residential neighbourhood in southwest Edmonton. In its earliest days, the congregation gathered in members' living rooms and basements, united by faith and a desire to build a spiritual home in this new and growing part of the city. Those humble beginnings laid a foundation of closeness and warmth that still defines our community today. The congregation eventually established its permanent meeting place at 4804 Terwillegar Common NW, a modern and fully accessible Kingdom Hall in the heart of the community.
Our congregation has grown steadily alongside one of Edmonton's most vibrant and family-oriented communities. Windermere is known for its young families, diverse demographics, and strong sense of neighbourhood pride — values that resonate deeply with our own. As new families have moved into the area over the years, many have found their way to our Kingdom Hall, drawn by curiosity, by the invitation of a neighbour, or by a personal desire to explore what the Bible teaches. Our growth reflects the growing spiritual hunger of people who want more than what the material world offers.
Our Kingdom Hall is a modern, welcoming, and fully accessible facility designed with the congregation and community in mind. All meetings held here are free and open to any member of the public. There is no dress code and no collection is ever taken at the door. Seating is available for all, interpretation can be arranged, and everyone is greeted warmly upon arrival. The building is used throughout the week for congregation meetings, study groups, and preparatory gatherings — making it a true hub of spiritual activity in the Windermere area.
The Windermere Congregation is a registered charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency under registry number 744218710RR0001. This status affirms our commitment to transparency and accountability in all financial matters. The congregation operates entirely on voluntary donations from its members. These contributions fund local operating costs, congregation literature, and support the worldwide humanitarian and relief work undertaken by Jehovah's Witnesses in response to disasters and urgent needs around the globe. No donor is ever pressured, and all contributions are made freely.
At the heart of our congregation are its people — families raising children in Bible principles, individuals seeking meaning and purpose, young people building character and friendships, and seniors who have walked a lifetime of faith. Our members come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and life experiences, yet are united by a shared love of God, a respect for one another, and a desire to serve their community. This rich tapestry of backgrounds makes Windermere Congregation a uniquely welcoming and enriching place to belong.
Our Core Values
Love - Compassion
Love for God and neighbour motivates everything we do — from how we treat one another in congregation to how we reach out to the wider Edmonton community with care and kindness.
Biblical Truth
Every belief and practice we hold is grounded in thorough, honest study of the Bible. We rely on Scripture rather than tradition or human philosophy to guide our understanding of God and his purposes.
Family Strength
We believe the family unit is a gift from God and worthy of careful nurturing. Our programs and teachings equip parents, spouses, and children with practical tools rooted in enduring Biblical wisdom.
Community Service
Service to our neighbours in Windermere and beyond is a natural expression of our faith. We look for practical ways to help, encourage, and uplift everyone we encounter in our daily lives.
Leadership - Structure
Congregation Elders
The Windermere Congregation is shepherded by a body of congregation elders — spiritually mature men who serve voluntarily and without pay. Elders take the lead in conducting meetings, providing pastoral care, counselling members, and guiding the congregation in accordance with Bible principles. Their role is one of service and sacrifice, not status or authority for its own sake. They are approachable, accountable, and deeply committed to the well-being of every member.
Ministerial Servants
Working alongside the elders are ministerial servants — capable men who assist with the practical administration of congregation activities. Their responsibilities include managing the Kingdom Hall, coordinating meeting arrangements, handling literature distribution, and supporting the audio-visual needs of the congregation. Ministerial servants often go on to serve as elders as they develop in spiritual maturity and experience.
Regular Publishers
The backbone of the congregation is its publishers — all baptised members who actively participate in the Christian ministry. Publishers share the good news about God's Kingdom in the local Windermere community through door-to-door visits, return calls, and informal conversations. Every publisher volunteers their time freely and receives no financial compensation. Together, they represent hundreds of hours of community outreach each month in the Edmonton area.
Registered Canadian Charity
CRA Charity Registry Number
744218710RR0001
The Windermere Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses is a registered charitable organization under the Income Tax Act of Canada. Our registration is maintained with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is publicly verifiable through the federal charity registry at canada.ca/charities-listings.
All financial contributions to the congregation are made voluntarily by members. These funds are used to cover Kingdom Hall operating costs including utilities, maintenance, and insurance, as well as to support the global humanitarian and relief work coordinated by the worldwide organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Our congregation does not solicit donations from visitors or members of the general public at any meeting or event.
As a registered charity, the congregation issues official donation receipts to contributing members in accordance with CRA requirements. Our financial practices are governed by the principles of integrity and stewardship outlined in Scripture, and we are committed to full transparency in our use of donated funds.
Verify our charity status at: CRA Charity Search →
We Welcome Everyone
No matter your background, your questions, or your circumstances — you are welcome at our Kingdom Hall. Our doors are open, our meetings are free, and our community is ready to greet you with warmth and sincerity.
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