Knox United Church (Calgary)

Knox United Church is located in Calgary, Canada and is a member church of the United Church of Canada.

History

Knox Presbyterian Church was established in 1883 Rev. James Robertson, Superintendent of the Western Mission for the Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1881. Their first church building was opened on October 21, 1883, a small wooden building it was completed for $1000.

A new, larger, building was constructed at the corner of Centre Street and Seventh Avenue. Designed to seat 330 people it was a stone construction which cost $8,000. As the congregation continued to expand a subsequent new building was erected in 1912 at the corner of Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue South. This is the site of the present day Knox United Church.

The church split in 1925 after some members of the congregation voted to join with the United Church of Canada. Those who wish to remain in the Presbyterian church went on to form a new, separate congregation.

Current ministry

The church is involved with various outreach and social projects, particularly focusing on the homeless, and has been at front of the movement to welcome gays, lesbians and the transgendered individuals into the United Church. In March 2007, after a vote at its annual congregational meeting, Knox became an [http://affirmunited.ca affirming congregation] , committed to work for the full inclusion and affirmation of all people in the life and work of the church.

Knox also runs an adult education programme open to people of all faiths based in the Knox Centre. A new dimension was added to this part of the Knox ministry in 2006 with the establishment of the Knox Centre Theatre Collective for authors and playwrights.

The church has one of the largest Casavant organs in western Canada. This forms the centre of a strong music program. A permanent labyrinth was opened in 2005 and is open for daily meditations. The building is now also well-known throughout the area as a venue for musical concerts of all kinds and is working to become more involved in the arts community in Calgary.

External links

* [http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca Knox United Church]