Westminster United Church of Waterloo, Ontario, and Temple Shalom, a Reform Jewish congregation, have embarked upon what Westminster pastor Gary Boratto says has never happened before in North America.

The idea for a building in which Protestant and Jewish congregations would share worship space came from an over-the-backyard-fence conversation between representatives from each congregation who happened to be neighbors.

"What gave the idea appeal," says Boratto, "was not just that it solved a practical problem for both of us, but it presented an opportunity within the community to make a visible statement about sharing the earth with people of different faiths. Our church will remain unabashedly Christian."