History

It is our hope that you will enjoy this Little History of Knox Presbyterian Church. Many of the details are drawn from previous records which we hope you will find interesting, informative, and a reminder of the steep history Knox has in Halifax and as part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. We will walk together this path God has set out for us: the joy is in the journey and the folks you meet along the way; let us do so with joy and thanksgiving, singing praises to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In Christ’s service,

Rev. Brian Hornibrook

A Little History on Knox Presbyterian Church

With church union in 1925, many Presbyterians remained loyal to the traditions and beliefs of Presbyterianism and the Presbyterian Church in Canada. These faithful servants of Christ decided to retain their individuality and formed Grafton Park Church, what was to become the Presbyterian Church of St. David. Presbyterians in the North-end desired a Sabbath School which was closer than Grafton Park and so on November 7th 1926, as a result of the efforts of Miss Susan Sylvester, the first North End Sabbath School was held in the Baptist Temple at the corner of Gottigen and North Streets. It wasn’t long after that the need for a church of their own became apparent and on June 26th, 1928, a petition was made to the Presbytery of Halifax and Lunenburg requesting that a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Canada be formed in the North end of Halifax.

It was agreed and in 1933, a suitable site was acquired at the corner of Agricola and Bilby Streets. Work on the construction of the church building began on the 27th of March 1933, and on June 25th, 1933 in the presence of a large congregation, the dedication service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Kerr. Though the building was finished, it took several years to furnish the interior and finish the basement. From its humble beginnings, Knox Presbyterian Church has faithfully served God through outreach, witness and fellowship. It is hard to estimate how many lives have been touched over the years by the warm welcome extended by the members of Knox, but it has always been a community of faith where folks are welcomed with gladness; as one person noted, “It is like a country church in the heart of the city.”

In 1963, the Presbytery of Halifax and Lunenburg asked the congregation of Knox Presbyterian Church to relocate and rebuild which the congregation agreed to. Some 16 years previous, the Ladies Guild had passed a resolution to ask the Board of Manager’s to start a building fund to which they agreed, and it should be noted that much of the money needed for the new church was raised by the Ladies Guild hosting church suppers on a regular basis. An agreement was made with City Council and a site made available bounded by Devonshire Avenue, Roome Street and Acadia Street. There were several reasons for moving including: the need of a more strategic location, more adequate facilities for a full church program and a new image as the congregation grappled with the problems of presenting the unchanging gospel in the midst of a changing world.

Plans were prepared by C.D. Davidson and Co., Architects for a sanctuary and a hall with the tender of $128,273 from Blunden Construction Co. being accepted. The sod turning took place on March 23rd, 1975; the first sod was turned by members: Ludovic Cunningham, Clarence MacFarlane, and Allan Urquhart. On March 23, 1975, the first service was held in the new building when the Sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated. The official opening and dedication of the church under the auspices of the Presbytery of Halifax and Lunenburg took place on Sunday April 27, 1975 amid great rejoicing and thanksgiving. The Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. D.L. Mawhinney presided, and the minister of Knox, the Rev. R.D. MacLean preached the sermon.

Since that time, the Knox community has experienced many changes both within the congregation and the wider community. In the early ‘90’s, through the generosity of a sizable bequest in memory of Kathryn Johnson, a new sanctuary was built connected to the original 1975 building. To this day, we are reminded of our heritage and history, as furnishings that we still enjoy today like the pulpit, Communion Table and chairs are from the original church at the corner of Agricola and Bilby. Several Ministers have served the congregation and moved on and are remembered here, yet the community of faith has remained strong as the history of Knox continues to unfold. The blue circular window in the sanctuary depicts the many faces of the congregation and the stars above, the saints who have gone before us. The stained glass window above the pulpit is a beautiful sight in daylight or evening and depicts the burning bush, a familiar symbol of our faith as Presbyterians and of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. And the stained glass window in the Narthex donated in memory of Isabel, Catherine and Clarence MacFarlane, depicting the vine so beautifully reminds us of our connection to the wider church and the body of Christ.

Knox Church is a small church with a big job to do and a big welcome for all. The congregation is supportive, generous and faithful. The cross on the lawn outside of the sanctuary depicts the centrality of the cross to Christian Faith. People who believe in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ form the church, the body of Christ. Knox Presbyterian Church is such a church.

The history of a congregation is not a succession of ministers or preachers but the history of its people, their journey of faith, the inter-relation of their homes and their church, their worship, work and witness, the mutual influence of their spiritual and secular influences and their Christian fellowship.

The community of faith at Knox Presbyterian Church has a long history of glorifying God through worship, mission and outreach and they continue to do so joyfully and with enthusiasm, seeking new ways to share God’s grace and love in the North end of Halifax and beyond.

Ministers of Knox Presbyterian Church

The Rev. H.L. Binnie 1928 – 1930

The Rev. T. Owen Hughes 1933 – 1934

The Rev. George Allen 1934 – 1937

The Rev. F.R. Meredith 1938 – 1940

The Rev. A.E. Morrison 1941 – 1943

The Rev. A. G. Faraday 1943 – 1948

The Rev. D.C. MacPherson 1948 – 1952

The Rev. A.H. Stephen 1952 – 1956

The Rev. J.J. Edmiston 1956 – 1963

The Rev. R.D. MacLean 1963 – 1983

Amy Campbell (Deaconess) 1983 – 1985

The Rev. B.W. Dunnett 1985 – 1990

The Rev. L.G. MacDonald 1990 – 2006

The Rev. B.A. Hornibrook 2007 –