Between 1939 and 1945, Canada was engaged in a total war effort. Mobilization took place across all social strata, with many men and women enlisting to fight overseas, writes torontoyes.com.
Turning to the Church for Support
Torontonians who were unable to join the frontlines participated in various war-related tasks, volunteering or working in munitions factories. Despite their patriotic fervour, the war instilled widespread anxiety and uncertainty about the future.
Amid this atmosphere, people increasingly turned to churches. These places of worship offered opportunities to contribute to the war effort, join community groups, and share emotions—be it joy, sorrow, or grief.
Worship during this time, much like today, meant more than honouring and praising God. It fostered a collective sense of faith, ritual, and prayer within a community. Through church services, parishioners found understanding and support. Historians like Michael Gauvreau and Nancy Christie argue that World War II deepened a spiritual crisis in society.
Insights from Historians
The ways people prayed and the spiritual insights they gained are documented in numerous sources. Religious publications of the time contain a wealth of articles reflecting the confusion many felt about the war.
These articles illustrate the political involvement of churches and their members in the war effort, highlight social issues, and show how churches advocated for societal reforms in the post-war period.
An analysis of these sources reveals three main themes:
- Participation in church life provided a way for people to support the military.
- Theological discussions offered a framework for understanding the conflict.
- The activities and ideas of churches during the war reflected their evolving purpose as institutions, balancing “traditional” principles rooted in biblical times with modern needs.
As women sent their sons, husbands, and brothers off to war, those who remained sought to contribute to the war effort. Unsurprisingly, churches became central hubs for forming groups to support the military.
Under the aegis of the Canadian Red Cross Society, women’s groups organized drives for food, clothing, and funds, and sewed military gear for soldiers. Toronto newspapers regularly reported on the activities of religious communities during the war.
How Were Services Conducted?
Volunteer efforts within churches did not interfere with regular worship services. In their sermons, clergy encouraged congregants to act with honesty, kindness, and humanity, to join church groups, and to contribute to supporting the military.
Reverend Gordon Maxwell of the United Church of Canada told his congregation that World War II, like any war, was a profound test for society. He argued that the war challenged not only the economic and social resources of the country but also the spiritual strength of its people.
Maxwell’s message centred on the idea that individuals should focus on hope, trust in God, and quickly learn the lessons of the conflict to confront the realities of evil. It is no surprise, then, that many Torontonians turned to church communities during the war for strength and faith in a brighter future.