The Alberta and Northwest Conference of The United Church of Canada was created in 1925 upon the formation of The United Church of Canada from a union of The Methodist Church, The Presbyterian Church in Canada and The Congregational Churches of Canada. In 1985, Alberta Conference was re-named Alberta and Northwest Conference to better reflect the inter-provincial nature of the Conference's boundaries. The boundaries of the conference include Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, the Yukon and Northwest Territories and certain locations in western Saskatchewan.

Alberta and Northwest Conference administers the work and life of The United Church of Canada and has oversight of the presbyteries within its bounds. Changes in presbyteries over time are reflected in The United Church of Canada Year Books. Conference determines the boundaries of presbyteries; and as of 2004, there are nine presbyteries located in Alberta and Northwest Conference. The Conference is responsible for the general oversight of religious life within its bounds and has specific responsibility for the ordination and settlement of ministers, the reception of ministers from other denominations, oversight of the work of presbyteries, including the review of presbytery records. The Conference elects representatives to General Council and deals with any other matters referred to it by General Council. The Conference receives reports from a number of standing committees, as prescribed by The Manual of The United Church of Canada.

The Conference is comprised of clergy and lay delegates from the presbyteries within its bounds. Alberta and Northwest Conference met annually from 1925-2000, at which time it elected to meet every two years. Since its creation, there has been a Conference executive that has overall responsibility for the governance of the Conference's business. The executive consists of a president, secretary, treasurer, and presbytery representative to carry on the Conference business between annual meetings. In 1963, on the initiative of General Council, the position of Conference Executive Secretary was created in an effort to streamline the administration of the Conference's work and to improve communication with General Council. Over time, there has also involved a Conference office staff to facilitate the work of the Conference. Through its history, the Conference has taken a number of administrative structures that are reflected in the records. The Conference continues to exist, with a Conference Office situated in Edmonton, Alberta.