Burry spent fourteen years in Toronto engaged in church work. She was elected president of the Deaconess Association of the United Church of Canada in 1934. In 1937, she was persuaded by Rev Oliver Jackson, Superintendent of Home Missions for Newfoundland, to work in Newfoundland. In 1938, she established her office in the Old Star Building in St John's, and founded the United Church Community Service Centre (originally Emmanuel House), now Stella Burry Community Services Centre. She remained its director until 1966. She helped establish the Agnes Pratt Home for Senior Citizens in St. John's. She continued doing voluntary work during her retirement.
