Legacy of Service: Ewart College and the Order of Diaconal Ministries
As we launch our new initiative: Communities of Practice for Next Generation Ministries, we’ve been thinking deeply about what it means to support those who minister with children, youth, young adults, and families. Our goal is to build a network of connection, resources, and care for those doing this vital work today.
But as we look forward, we’re also looking back.
Because this isn’t the first time our denomination has invested in training and supporting people called to nurture faith, offer care, and work for justice, especially in ministries that don't always fit into traditional molds). This post offers a glimpse into the legacy and impact of Ewart College and the Order of Diaconal Ministries.
Ewart College
Ewart College began in 1897 as a training home for Presbyterian women entering missionary work. Founded by Catherine Ewart, the College emerged in a time when women had few educational or vocational opportunities within the church. But with vision and persistence, Ewart helped create a space where women could be trained for meaningful ministry not only overseas, but increasingly in Canada, through Christian education, pastoral care, and community outreach.
From its beginnings in a Toronto home on Church Street, Ewart evolved in both location and mission: gaining its own building, developing rigorous academic standards, and finally taking the name Ewart College in 1962. By then, it had become a respected institution in its own right, preparing students for diaconal ministry with a curriculum grounded in theological study and practical skills.
When women were first ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments in 1966, Ewart remained a home for those who felt called to a different kind of leadership, one grounded in relational, educational, and justice-oriented service. These diaconal ministers were "nothing if not adaptable," often leading worship, teaching, offering care, and meeting people where they were.
That legacy of adaptability came to the fore again in the 1990s, when denominational restructuring led to Ewart’s amalgamation with Knox College. Though the name of the College was retired, its spirit was not. The Ewart Chapel, the Mackay Educational Resource Centre, and the Ewart Chair in the Practice of Ministry and Faith Formation all stand today as living witnesses to Ewart’s vision: to equip leaders for practical, spirit-filled ministry.
Watch the full presentation from Knox College here:
The Order of Diaconal Ministries: Serving in Many Forms
The Order of Diaconal Ministries continues to be a vital expression of leadership in The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those designated to the Order are committed to ministries of Christian education, pastoral care, and social service. Rooted in collegiality, creativity, and empowerment, the Order envisions ministry that equips others and engages the world with compassion and courage.
Established formally in 1908, and renamed in 1984, the Order has offered a home for those whose call to ministry is lived out in classrooms, hospitals, congregational programs, and neighbourhoods. Its members (historically and today) have helped shape the spiritual lives of countless children, families, and communities.
Whether through formal congregational roles or outreach ministries, diaconal ministers are called to go where the need is greatest.
Want to Learn More? Explore these excellent resources:
From the Bottom Up: A Story of Collegial Leadership by Joyce Davis — telling the story of the Order and its members.
The Caven Library at Knox College holds extensive archives on both Ewart and the Order.