St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, a landmark in Vancouver’s West End, was at a crossroads. After a two-year closure for renovations—followed by the deep disconnection of the pandemic—the church knew it needed to find its way back to the community. But how?
For Parker and Jarren, this project was more than just another creative brief. As West End locals who walked past the cathedral every day—and as creatives who’ve navigated complex relationships with faith—they knew this wasn’t just about messaging or branding. It was about trust. It was about belonging. It was about creating something that felt as welcoming as the church wanted to be.
The church’s grand architecture is breathtaking—but from the street, it can feel a little imposing. Through deep listening with congregants, newcomers, and community members, one truth became clear: people needed to feel invited in.
So, we turned the building itself into an invitation.
A bold, rainbow-colored wraparound transformed the grand staircase, declaring in unmistakable terms:
“No matter who you are, no matter who you love, all of you is welcome here.”
This wasn’t just a design choice—it was a statement of belonging. A promise that St. Andrew’s-Wesley wasn’t just open to all, but actively embracing everyone.
With that clarity, we set the creative direction and brand strategy—making sure every piece of the church’s presence reflected that same spirit of inclusion. We then guided designer Hayden Davis in bringing that vision to life through a visual identity that felt reverent yet inviting.
Meanwhile, we worked alongside our development partners at Serious Otters to translate this vision into the church’s new website, ensuring that the digital experience felt just as warm and accessible as the physical space.
Of course, real transformation isn’t just about what people see—it’s about what happens behind the scenes.
The church’s leadership knew they needed to work better together. But like so many teams, they were too close to the challenge to see the full picture. That’s where Harc came in—not with a pre-baked solution, but with deep listening and thoughtful guidance. “We often knew something needed to change, but we didn’t always know exactly what,” shared Diane, the Executive Director. “Harc helped us surface the sticking points and work through them in ways that felt natural, not forced.”
We didn’t just help the team name their challenges—we equipped them to navigate them on their own. Through custom exercises, coaching, and hands-on strategy sessions, we helped them spot patterns, shift dynamics, and create real alignment. And just as importantly, we didn’t disappear when the workshops ended.
We feel 100% supported by both Jarren and Parker. They were always just a call away if we needed to talk something through, and they always circled back to check in on how we were feeling.
Today, St. Andrew’s-Wesley isn’t just a historic cathedral—it’s a home. A space where 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, those from different faiths, and even people who’ve felt alienated by religion can find belonging.
And for us? This project wasn’t just about design, or brand strategy, or team coaching. It was about witnessing a community step fully into itself—with open arms, an open heart, and a whole lot of courage.
Let’s work together to unlock your brand’s true potential. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to realign your team, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.