First United Church Community Ministry Society is an inner-city mission in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
First United has been an active part of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver since it was first established in 1925, and prior to that through the work of its predecessor First Presbyterian Church, which opened in 1892. During the Depression years of the 1930s, First United became known as “the church of the open door” and provided food and advocacy support to thousands of people needing assistance, a mission First United remains committed to today.
Working under the four guiding principles of Social Justice, Hospitality, Healing and Housing, we provide a range of services to benefit the community. These include community meals, shelter, advocacy, music and art groups, spiritual care, dentistry, footcare, storage and personal care services. First United work with people ‘where they are at’ – whether they are looking for a meal, urgent assistance, or simply for a place to belong.