MCC Toronto
Spirituality & Human Rights Together
Since 1973, MCC Toronto has been helping shape Canadian values of inclusion, diversity, and equality. A place of worship and a place of action, MCC Toronto is a vibrant and progressive church rooted in the Christian tradition and the 2SLGBTQ+ community that is open and welcoming to everyone, and a Human Rights Centre that is fiercely committed to social justice.
Our History
July 17, In response to a petition, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches sends Rev. Bob Wolfe from Los Angeles to establish MCC Toronto which holds its first service in an office space above a bar on Yonge Street.
A Citation of Bravery is awarded to Rev. Bob Wolfe by Toronto City Council for talking a teenager off the roof of City Hall.
Brent Hawkes becomes Senior Pastor at MCC Toronto, a position he will hold until January2018. Brent would go on to complete a Masters and Doctorate of Divinity, becoming Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes.
February 5, Police raid four bathhouses in Toronto and arrest 286 men, galvanizing Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. The next day, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes and other community activists lead over 3,000 protesters at a rally against police brutality .Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes would later go on a 25-day hunger strike demanding an inquiry
MCC Toronto buys its first church building at 2029 Gerrard Street East becoming Canada’s first 2SLGBTQ+ organization to own property.
MCC Toronto fights for a new Employment Standards Act that incorporates sexual orientation into the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The first MCC Toronto Christmas Eve Service at Roy Thomson Hall, an annual tradition that continued until 2019.
In response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, MCC Toronto launches the AIDSCARE program that provides support, comfort and love to hundreds of individuals affected.
MCC Toronto moves into its present home at 115 Simpson Ave in the city’s Riverdale neighbourhood.
The first Pride Toronto Sunday Service is held at Maple Leaf Gardens. While the venue for this Service has changed over the years, “Church on Church” remains a hallmark of Toronto Pride celebrations.
A community-wide effort including MCC Toronto joins to push for the Equality Rights Statute Amendment Act that would provide equal treatment of persons in spousal relationships. The bill is defeated, but MCC Toronto continues to fight on.
MCC Toronto partners with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in establishing the Triangle Program, Canada’s first high school for at-risk 2SLGBTQ+ students and now North America’s longest running such program.
To support James Egan and John Norris Nesbit in the constitutional question of same-sex spousal recognition under the Old Age Security Act, MCC Toronto serves as an intervener at the Supreme Court of Canada. This case results in the rights of gay and lesbian couples being recognized and their sexual orientation being read into the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes testifies in the M vs. H case on spousal support provision in family law. For the first time, the court ruling holds that same-sex couples should receive equitable treatment under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The world’s first legalized same-sex marriage takes place at MCC Toronto as Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, wearing a bulletproof vest, weds a gay couple and a lesbian couple. Though the Registrar General of Ontario refuses to register the marriage documents, MCC Toronto takes the Provincial Government to Court, and in 2003 a court decision is rendered making the Province of Ontario North America’s first jurisdiction to recognize same-sex marriage and by back-dating the decision, making MCC Toronto’s the world’s first.
MCC Toronto leads the Pride Parade as the Honoured Group recognized by Pride Toronto for its work in human rights and social justice.
MCC Toronto establishes a new LGBTQ+ Refugee Program. Since opening, over 8,000+ LGBTQ+ asylum seekers have found comfort, support, and hope as participants in our programs.
Rev. Deana Dudley joins MCC Toronto’s staff team in October and goes on to become Assistant Pastor, and later as Acting Senior Pastor.
Margaret and Wallace McCain make a remarkable $1 million gift to MCC Toronto, the largest single donation ever received by an MCC congregation in the world up to that point. Among other things, their gift enables MCC Toronto to retire its mortgage.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes officiates and The Choir of MCC Toronto sings at the state funeral of Jack Layton, Canadian New Democratic Party leader and Leader of the Official Opposition at Roy Thomson Hall.
MCC Toronto becomes the only exclusive LGBTQ+ Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the Federal Government. Since that time, its LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs have brought and settled 75+ LGBTQ+ refugees to Canada.
July 8, Rev. Jeff Rock is elected as MCC Toronto’s new Senior Pastor. He begins October 1 and officially takes on the role following Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes’ last Service on January 28, 2018. Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes is named Senior Pastor Emeritus.
Aleks Dughman-Manzur, Director of MCC Toronto’s LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs, is elected Vice- President of the Canadian Council for Refugees becoming the first openly transgender individual to serve at the executive committee level.
MCC Toronto publicly launches ELEVATION – MCC Toronto Campaign, a historic $5 million campaign to elevate its ability to offer expanded and impactful human rights programming. At that time, MCC Toronto announced that $4.8 million had been raised to date including the largest ever gift in MCC’s history: a lead gift of $1.38 million from Paul Austin and the P. Austin Family Foundation.
Rev. Jeff Rock says goodbye to MCC Toronto as he embarks on a new journey. Rev. Deana Dudley becomes Acting Senior Pastor in January, In February, MCC Toronto unveils The new McCain Family Social Hall and other renovated public spaces to the delight of congregants.
To learn more about MCC Toronto’s 50-year history, please visit the MCC Toronto Digital Exhibition hosted by the ArQuives.
Our Vision
MCC Toronto’s vision is to be a growing, inclusive, spiritual community that creates a just, kind and loving world for all.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to build bridges with a vibrant spirituality that transforms lives and transforms the world.
Our Core Values
Spirituality
Advocacy
Diversity
Our Team
Deana has been on staff with MCC for 14 years, serving in many capacities, currently as Senior Pastor. A former Maritime/Admiralty lawyer in the USA, Deana sought more meaningful work, became a minister, and moved to Canada. She holds a B.A. (Hons) from Dominican University, a Juris Doctor from George Washington University, and an M.Div. (Hons) from Wesley Theological Seminary. She has been engaged in ministry for nearly 30 years. She also serves as the Judicial Process Manager for our denomination (Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches) and is involved with the Toronto Police Service as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ Community Consultative Committee. She loves to engage in spirited theological discussions and has a passion for spiritual journeys of all kinds. Combining her love of Biblical studies with her hobby of Biblical archaeology, she enjoys exploring new perspectives on old meanings. She shares her home with her wife, Janet, three cats, and a dog.
Rev. Junia Joplin – June to most folks – received a Bachelor of Arts from Appalachian State University and a Master of Divinity from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia. She is a past recipient of the Canada 150 Community Leader Award and has been named one of Canada’s top 25 Women of Influence in 2021. June is a member of Good Faith Media’s strategic board, and she works with Transmission Ministry Collective to provide support to trans seminarians & clergy. June began serving at MCC Toronto on March 15, 2021.
With over 12 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Shannon is passionate about providing high-quality leadership to organizations and making an impact through organizational efficiency. Shannon comes to MCC Toronto after working as the Director of Operations for CJ’s SKATEPARK and the Executive Director of CJ’s SKATEPARK FOUNDATION. Shannon is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.
Dave leads efforts to support LGBTQ+ refugees in finding safety, dignity, and community. His work emphasizes collaboration with partner organizations to address the complex challenges faced by refugees persecuted for their sexual orientation or gender identity. With a deep passion for the law and a strong commitment to upholding human rights, Dave holds a Law Degree from the University of London and is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). His career spans over a decade, including extensive experience in the financial sector and in a leading law firm, where he worked on cases that secured the rights of refugees. Dave also serves on the board of a Toronto-based charity that provides crucial support to children and families affected by HIV, reflecting his lifelong dedication to advocacy and service.
Mike Crum joined MCC as Development Director in October 2024. He spearheads MCC’s efforts to secure financial support from various sources. Mike has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, with expertise ranging from fundraising for women’s rights and civil liberties organizations to working with capital campaign committee members at the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. He has also served on 12 nonprofit boards of directors. He is committed to building mutually beneficial relationships through five tenets: abundance, authenticity, energy, relationships, and purpose.
Kenyatta’s role with the Paul Austin Human Rights Centre is developing and implementing programs that address pressing social needs while fostering inclusive and supportive environments. His work in global project management and leading complex program initiatives to bridge gaps between 2SLGBTQ+ communities and healthcare providers. Kenyatta’s background is in social service and project management; he also co-authored the 2022 article “Nothing for Us Without Us: An Evaluation of Patient Engagement in HIV Care Improvement Collaborative in the Caribbean”. Kenyatta is passionate about community empowerment and is driven by a commitment to social justice and equity for marginalized groups.
A Dora Award-nominated Music Director, Jason has worked on many musical theatre productions in Toronto, from the Queen musical We Will Rock You to the award-winning Come From Away. Jason joined as MCC Toronto’s Music Director in October 2019.
JJ helps realize the community’s vision of growth, inclusivity, and spirituality by leading staff coordination, providing executive-level administrative support, and managing worship, events, and programs. JJ thrives in creating organizational structures that foster efficiency and connection. With over 15 years in IT software implementation, alongside specialized training in IT, leadership, and management, JJ brings a structured and strategic approach to every aspect of their work. Passionate about fostering community, connection, and inclusion, JJ integrates these values daily within the vibrant, inclusive, and progressive community. When not working or studying, JJ is often found being lovingly bossed around by their orange feline, who has completely captured their heart.
El oversees all organizational publications, including the website and The Query, and manages communications for both the LGBTQ+ Refugee Program and the Human Rights Centre. In addition to her communications responsibilities, she actively supports the Fundraising Department in promoting key initiatives. El holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Journalism, as well as a Master’s in Investigative Journalism. With over 15 years of experience in refugee support and human rights work, she also plays a crucial role in assisting the Director of the LGBTQ+ Refugee Program. Throughout her career, El has collaborated with various organizations, including the Halifax Refugee Clinic, Boat Refugee Foundation, European Lawyers in Lesvos, and the London Cross-Cultural Learner Centre.
Our Board
Comprised of members of our congregation, MCC Toronto’s Board of Directors bring diverse leadership and business experience to the task of supporting MCC Toronto’s work and mission. Board members provide financial oversight of Church operations, ensure the development of strategic plans, serve as ongoing champions and goodwill ambassadors of Church programs, events, and services, and provide advice to the Senior Pastor on financial issues, strategic issues, and on other issues as requested. Board members are volunteers, elected by the congregation at the Annual Congregational Business Meeting to represent them in decision-making.
To contact our board e-mail us here.
Volunteer With Us
Are you interested in meeting people and getting more involved in our community?
LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in getting involved specifically within our LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs? For more information, please click here.
The LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs is always looking for volunteers to support us in these ways:
**Please note, different time commitments are required for different volunteer positions
Work With Us
MCC Toronto is made up of a diverse and talented staff team dedicated to bringing communities together to advance Human Rights for all.
We offer a warm and welcoming work environment, where you can be yourself and contribute your best work.
Join our staff team and make a difference in your community.
Career Opportunities
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