Original Post Date: Aug 24, 2018
Starting a new church or religious organization in Ontario is both a legal and spiritual journey. You might be launching a church plant, starting a community ministry, or growing an existing group.
No matter the goal, incorporating your church offers important benefits. It gives your church a legal structure, protects your church leaders, and makes it easier to raise funds. It also lets you apply for charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
This guide walks you through how to start a church in Ontario, gain nonprofit and charitable status, and register it as a legal entity under Ontario law.
Why Incorporate a Church?
Some may wonder, are churches not for profit organizations? Yes, they typically qualify as both a nonprofit organization and a charitable organization. Incorporation gives your group legal standing, which:
- Limits personal liability for church leaders and your board of directors
- Allows you to open a bank account in the church’s name
- Makes your church eligible for charity registration and tax receipts with the CRA
- Helps build trust with church members, donors, and the public
- Enables you to own property, enter contracts, and conduct other legal activities
Do Churches Need to Be Incorporated?
The answer depends on your goals. To ensure long-term sustainability, we strongly recommend filing formal church articles of incorporation.
Step by Step Guide to Starting a Church
Step 1: Choose a Name for Your Church
Your church name must be unique. It cannot be too similar to other religious organizations or religious communities already registered in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada. It must also include wording that identifies it as a religious entity, like “Church,” “Mission,” “Synagogue,” or “Temple.”
We recommend starting with a preliminary name search to check for conflicts. To move forward with incorporation, you’ll also need to order a NUANS report. This report compares your church name to other businesses, trademarks, and nonprofit organizations.
Many groups choose names that reflect their denomination (such as Christian or Jewish) and location (like “Toronto” or “Mississauga”). This helps differentiate your ministry from other religious groups.
Step 2: Provide a Physical Address
To incorporate in Ontario, you’ll need to list a physical address located within the province.
Can I Start a Church in My Home?
If you don’t yet have a church building, you can use the home address of one of the directors. Starting a church in your home is legal in many communities. However, zoning bylaws may affect how you can operate. Be sure to check with your municipality to confirm local land use regulations.
Step 3: Appoint a Board of Directors
You must have at least three individuals on your board of directors to incorporate your religious organization. Each director must provide their legal name and address.
Include a minimum and maximum number of directors in your incorporation documents. If you plan to grow your leadership team later, it’s a good idea to leave room for additional appointments.
Your directors should commit to regular meetings, maintaining church bylaws, and preparing annual reports as required by provincial nonprofit law.
Step 4: Define Your Charitable & Religious Purposes
To apply for charity registration with the CRA, you must include object clauses in your incorporation documents. These clauses should clearly explain your church’s mission. The government provides pre-approved religious wording that meets federal rules under the Income Tax Act.
Sample purposes include:
- To advance religion by teaching religious doctrine and observances associated with [insert faith]
- To maintain a place of worship
- To provide religious instruction to church members of all ages
- To host community-based programs such as music, studies, and workshops
You must also include special provisions for a charitable organization. These provisions explain how your church will distribute its assets if it ever closes.
Step 5: Submit Articles of Incorporation
You can submit your church articles of incorporation through Ontario Business Central. Our online system is simple to use. We guide you through each step and handle the filing with the Ontario government for you.
We also check your documents to make sure they meet the rules under Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. This includes the correct setup for directors, charitable organization wording, and other legal details.
The cost to start a church is affordable. The Ontario government charges a $155 filing fee, and we provide full support to make the process easy.
How Long Does It Take to Start a Church?
The province usually processes most incorporations within 1-3 days, unless they require special approvals.
If your name includes words like ‘Charity’ or ‘Foundation,’ it may need special approval. The same applies if you use custom wording for your purpose clauses. In these cases, the Public Guardian and Trustee will review your application. This can extend the approval timeline.
Step 6: File the Initial Notice
Once your church is incorporated, you have 60 days to submit an Initial Notice. This document confirms your church’s Ontario address, your directors, and any officer roles.
Ontario law requires all nonprofit organizations to file this notice to remain in good standing. Make sure you designate a “Chair” position on your board. This is mandatory for Ontario not-for-profit organizations. You can use “Chair,” “Chairperson,” “Chairman,” or “Chairwoman” to meet this rule.
At Ontario Business Central, we can include the Initial Notice as part of your incorporation package. This saves you time and helps ensure your filing is complete and accurate.
Step 7: Apply for Charitable Status with the CRA
After incorporating, your next step is to apply for charitable status from the CRA. This allows your organization to issue official tax receipts for donations and qualify for tax exemptions under the Income Tax Act.
To apply, you’ll need:
- Your completed incorporation documents
- A detailed description of your activities
- A copy of your church bylaws and governance structure
Approval can take 6 to 8 months. This process is similar to the 501(c)(3) status of the internal revenue code in the United States, but governed by Canada’s own charitable organization regulations.
After approval, your church gets charitable status at the federal level. You can then accept donations and give receipts that donors can use on their taxes.
FAQs About Starting a Church in Ontario
How Many People Do You Need to Start a Church?
You need at least three directors to incorporate. Beyond that, there is no minimum number of church members to begin worship services.
Can Anyone Start a Church?
Yes, provided your group meets the requirements for incorporation and charitable purposes under Canadian law. Anyone can begin starting a church provided it serves a genuine religious mission. You do not need specific religious education.
How to Start a Church Legally?
Start by incorporating through Ontario Business Central. Then apply for charitable status, file annual reports, and follow your church bylaws to stay compliant.
Is a Church Considered a Nonprofit?
Churches in Ontario are registered as not-for-profit organizations under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. Because of their religious purpose, they fall under the category of charitable organizations.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Church?
The fees will vary depending on which service you incorporate through. The government fee is $155 to register a not for profit or to register a religious organization.
Why Work With Ontario Business Central?
For over 30 years, Ontario Business Central has helped religious charities and nonprofit organizations complete the incorporation process quickly and correctly.
We provide:
- An easy online application
- A combined NUANS and domain name search
- Step-by-step support with incorporation
- Filing of the Initial Notice
- Guidance toward applying for church charitable status
Our Canadian-based team is available by phone, email, or chat to help you get started.
inquiries@ontariobusinesscentral.ca
Toll-Free: 1-800-280-1913
Local: 1-416-599-9009
Fax: 1-866-294-4363
Office Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday E.S.T.
Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of registration within the chosen jurisdiction. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions that you speak to a qualified professional.
