Calgary Landmarks – Knox United Church

Calgary Landmarks – Knox United Church

Knox United Church is one of the oldest historical structures still remaining in the downtown Calgary area. On Sunday, September 16th 2012 a church service was held at the church not only to speak into the lives of many, but to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the first block of sandstone on the southwest corner, the beginning of what was to be a beautiful feat of construction and architecture in Calgary even to this day.

History Everywhere

Every few steps in the front lobby area I found small stained glass window pieces and paintings honoring both missionaries and important figures in the churches past who have contributed in making Knox United Church what it is today. After carefully inspecting each window and painting piece, I learned much about the historical Calgary landmark in only a few short minutes. Feeling like I had begun to understand some of its history, I decided I would enter the main hall area for the church service and see what words of wisdom the pastor had for the day.

Upon entering the main congregation area, the classical wooden architecture and sheer grandeur of the ceiling height, sandstone piers, majestic stained glass windows and church organ really does make you feel like you are in a European cathedral. It’s like stepping back in time into the beginning of the 20th century, when Calgary was still a fairly new prairie city in the western Canadian plains.

The Service

The pastor brought up some very interesting points about the foundation of the church. He intertwined his message with the story of the laying of the first sandstone block 100 years earlier, when Knox United Church was known as the Cathedral of the West. He said we all needed a foundation in order to stand. Very true!

Are you looking for Knox United Church? Find it in the downtown area on the corner of 6th Avenue and 4th Street SW, not far from other Calgary landmarks such as the Devonian Gardens and the Bow Tower.