Building & History

Step inside
History

In the heart of Old Strathcona, just north of Whyte Avenue, stands a striking red-brick landmark that has watched over the community since 1907. Knox Evangelical Free Church isn’t just a building—it’s a masterpiece of faith and craftsmanship. With its soaring Gothic Revival architecture, pointed arches, and vibrant stained glass, it has been a beacon for over a century.

A grand bell tower welcomes visitors, while the sweeping interior—featuring a gently sloped floor, serpentine balcony, and arched dome—creates an atmosphere that is both intimate and awe-inspiring. The pipe organ can still fill the room and is played at a number of special events throughout the year.

Exterior

Life and Death
Evangelical Church

– Interior –

Maintain a dedicated sacred space

Preserve a
historic gem

EXPAND a
community resource

Humble Beginnings

It began with a mission

It all started in 1891, when Reverend D.G. McQueen held Presbyterian mission services in South Edmonton. Back then, the congregation met in a simple wooden church shared with the Methodists.

But as the community grew, so did the need for something worthy of the faith and dedication of its members.

PROMINENT BENEFACTOR

Lord Strathcona himself donated money to the Knox building project.

pROHIBITED WOODEN BUILDINGS

Due to this 1902 law we have a cluster of brick buildings on Whyte Avenue.

STLLL A PLACE OF WORSHIP

Knox has welcomed worshippers on Sundays for over a century,

1891

The church is built

Knox Church becomes a community cornerstone

In 1907, architects Magoon, Hopkins & James designed a magnificent new sanctuary, brought to life by builder Thomas Richards. With space for 600 worshippers, the church quickly became a cornerstone of the neighborhood.

In 1911, a majestic pipe organ was installed, adding to the church’s grandeur. The legacy expanded in 1949 with the addition of Knox Hall, providing even more room for gatherings and fellowship.

After the 1925 unification of Canada’s Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Methodist churches, the building became known as Knox United.

1907

DENOMINATION CHANGE

Knox Church IS PURCHASED BY BELGRAVIA EVANGELICAL FREE

In 1972 a new chapter began. Carrying on the tradition of worship and community service that had defined this space for generations, the Belgravia E-Free Church purchased this architectural gem. Today, this extraordinary building remains a place of warmth, welcome, and inspiration for all who walk through its doors.

1972

2007 Centennial Celebration Poster 100 years after the completion of knox, the city came together to celebrate. Mayor Stephen Mandel even made an appearance. 01 12 1895 Original Structure The Strathcona Presbyterians met in such varied locales as the Strathcona Hotel kitche, the railway station, and a Methodist union church until in 1895 when the first building of the Knox Presbyterian Church was built upon land donated by the Calgary & Edmonton Railway. 02 12 1901 Former House In 1899, a site across the street from the church was acquired for the original manse. By 1901, the house was finished and ready for its first occupants, the Reverend Dr. Fleming and his family. The house was later demolished, the site sold, and is now occupied by the apartment building directly across the street. 03 12 1902 Sunday School Teachers D.S. MacKenzie (pictured on the far left), Edmonton legend, was a Sunday School teacher for Knox Presbyterian in 1902. 04 12 1907 Building In Old Strathcona So on April 11, 1907 the official building process began with Rev. Dr. J.C. Herdman of Calgary laying the cornerstone, within which were placed the records of the old church, including the last annual report, a set of coins of the realm, and a copy of several church publications. The first premier of Alberta, the Honourable A.C Rutherford, as well as the Mayor of Edmonton, William A. Griesbach, attended the ceremony. 05 12 1907 West Side West Side View of Original Structure: The formal pening took place on December 15, 1907. In total, the building cost $165,000 to building. All the desired features of the new church were not completed at the time of these celebrations, for the congregation had taken on, what was in those days, considered a heavy debt. While the ambitious congregation had its heart set on a fine set of pipes for the organ and lovely stain glass windows for the sanctuary, those would have to wait. 06 12 1908 Postcard Approx. 1908-1909. The exterior was to be built in "Gothic Revivial" style, which was typical of earlyy 1900's urban Presbyterian church architecture. The interior with its domed ceiling and serpentine balcony all in the "Akron American" style, was a very modern and up-to-date design for the times. 07 12 1908 Sunday School Staff Officers and staff of the Sunday school - 1908. 08 12 1909 Reverend Fleming Pastor of Knox 1900-1909 09 12 1911 Ladies Aid Society In 1911, one of the dreams of the Ladies' Aid came true. The beautiful pipes of the motor-driven organ were installed. The stained glass would have to wait until 1957. 10 12 1949 Newspaper Clipping "Mrs. George A. MacDonald wido of a former pastor of Knox United Church, is seen unveiling the cornerstone of the new $60,000 Knox Church hall Sunday, at 84 ave. and 104 st. The ceremony was witnessed by ore than 500 members of the congregation. Assisting in the ceremony is Rev. Gerald Rogers, pastor. The new hall, expected to be completed in the summer of 1950, will have an auditorium seating 400 persons." 12 05 1949 Knox Hall Cornerstone Unveiling By the fall of 1949, $60,000 had been raised and the official cornerstone laying ceremony took place. By 1950, the addition was completed, giving the church a new gymnasium, kitchen, boardroom, and social room; all with no debt over their heads. 12 12