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Client Success Story

St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church

Bridging Tradition and Inclusivity for an LGBTQ-affirming Church

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.

Turning Architecture into Invitation

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.

Creative Direction That Centered Belonging

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.

Helping the Team Find Its Rhythm

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.

A Church Reclaimed by Its Community

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.

Trusted by Organizations Big and Small

Harc didn’t offer a ‘solution in a box’—they helped us focus and come to our own realizations.

  • Diane Mitchell

  • Executive Director
  • St. Andrew’s-Wesley United

Harc will inspire you to think and dream, and the end result will be better than you imagined.

  • Stash Bylicki

  • Executive Director
  • Chor Leoni Choir

Harc brought forward beautiful, well-researched ideas, resulting in a brand I’m proud to share with the world.

  • Marsha d’Angelo

  • Founder & Principal
  • Apostrophe Communications

Harc is a great partner for organizations who not only want to be understood, but also to better understand themselves.

  • John Stevens

  • CEO
  • Ontario Veterinary Med. Assc.

The Harc team is intuitive, creative, and strategic while infusing magic and delight into everything they do.

  • Zena Sharman

  • Writer, Consultant, LGBTQ+ health advocate

Parker and Jarren became part of our team, showing up in a meaningful way and bringing our story to life through deep understanding.

  • Heather Vause

  • Director, Community Engagement
  • ARC Foundation

 

Working with Harc was like going on a guided journey into understanding and expressing who we are as a company.

  • Ted Phillips

  • Owner & Principal
  • Home Island Coffee Partners

Harc’s coaching has helped me see and design my own methods and practices to be successful with a clearer, more confident approach. As a result, I am engaging both my business and my life at a higher level.

  • XETS’EMITS’A

  • Candace Campo
  • Founder & Indigenous Tour Operator
  • Talaysay Tours

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