Runnymede United Church: A Website Design and Development For a Toronto Congregation
How we designed and built a website that welcomes newcomers clearly while serving an active, two-campus congregation’s everyday needs.
Project Snapshot
CLIENT
Runnymede United Church
INDUSTRY
Community & Faith Organization
WHAT WE DID
Website Design, Website Development
PLATFORMS
Squarespace
REGION
Toronto, ON – Runnymede and Windermere campuses
About Runnymede United Church
Runnymede United Church is a two-campus congregation in Toronto’s Bloor West Village and Swansea neighbourhood, recognized as an Affirming Ministry committed to inclusion of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The church offers Sunday worship (in-person and livestreamed), Sunday School, music and choir programs, small groups, and extensive community outreach.
The Challenge
A church website has to do two things at once that pull in different directions: welcome someone who’s never set foot inside, and serve an active congregation’s day-to-day needs. A few problems needed solving:
A first-time visitor needed a clear, low-pressure way to learn what to expect, without wading through content built for existing members
The church’s identity as an Affirming Ministry is central to who it welcomes, and needed to be presented clearly and early, not buried as a footnote
With two physical campuses, service times, events, and programs needed to stay clearly organized so visitors always know which location applies to them
FINAL OUTCOME
Website
Results & Impact
Runnymede United Church now has a website that gives first-time visitors a clear, welcoming way in, presents its Affirming identity prominently, and keeps a genuinely active two-campus congregation’s programs and events organized and easy to find.
46%
increase in first-time visitor form submissions
37%
increase in event signups
32%
increase in livestream views
What We Did
✓
Affirming Identity, Presented Clearly
The church’s inclusive commitment featured prominently on the homepage, not buried in an about page
✓
Two-Campus Navigation
Clear, organized information for both the Runnymede and Windermere campuses, including service times and events
✓
Community Outreach Pages
Dedicated content for the church’s outreach programs, volunteer opportunities, and events like the long-running Bloor West Village Arts and Crafts Show
Syndell built the site to give first-time visitors a clear, low-pressure way to learn what to expect, separate from content built for existing members, so newcomers do not have to wade through material that assumes prior familiarity.
Syndell featured the church’s inclusive commitment prominently on the homepage rather than burying it in an about page, since it is central to who the congregation welcomes.
Syndell built clear, organized two campus navigation covering the Runnymede and Windermere locations, including service times and events, so visitors always know which location applies to them.
Yes. Syndell built dedicated community outreach pages covering volunteer opportunities and events, including the long running Bloor West Village Arts and Crafts Show.
Runnymede United Church offers Sunday worship in-person and livestreamed, Sunday School, music and choir programs, small groups, and extensive community outreach.
Yes. Syndell designs and builds websites for churches and community organizations that need to welcome newcomers clearly while keeping an active congregation’s programs organized. Contact Syndell to talk through your project.
Give Your Website Room for Both Audiences
Share your congregation’s story and see how a site that serves newcomers and regulars alike could bring in more first-time visitors.
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