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Knox United Church
Calgary
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Knox United Church is a large sandstone, Late Gothic Revival style church building located on five city lots in the heart of downtown Calgary. The church is surrounded by urban development and high-rise towers. A two and one-half storey wing to the north completes the complex. Featuring a prominent corner courtyard, stained glass windows and a soaring square-plan bell tower, the church has been called 'the cathedral of the west.'
Heritage Value
The heritage value of Knox United Church (formerly Knox Presbyterian Church), lies chiefly in its role as the home of the oldest Protestant congregation in Calgary, dating to 1883. The building is also significant as an example of the Gothic Revival style of Canadian church architecture.
Knox United Church dates back 1883 (one year prior Calgary's incorporation as a town), when Reverend Angus Robertson arrived to minister to the fledgling Presbyterian community in Calgary. Such notable pioneers as Colonel James Walker of the North West Mounted Police (N.W.M.P.) and Dr. Andrew Henderson, one of the city's first physicians, were founding members. Later, members such as Alexander Calhoun, Calgary's first librarian, contributed to the calibre of the Knox community. A first wooden church was built that year and served the community until 1886, when a much larger church was constructed - the first large stone building in Calgary. The 'third' Knox Church took the form of a significant addition to the previous building, completed in 1905. During this time, major charitable efforts also were initiated under the church's auspices. Several daughter churches, including a Chinese community, were sponsored. The growth and vitality of the congregation - at the time the largest in the city - necessitated a new facility, and in 1913, this church was completed. Knox Church has served not only as a place for religious worship, but also as an important social centre for Calgarians of all walks of life.
A model Gothic Revival church built in the English Perpendicular style, Knox has been referred to as 'the cathedral of the west,' and was for many years the tallest building in Calgary. Grand in scale and finely crafted inside and out, the building retains its landmark status as a striking church building amidst the urban environment surrounding it.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management (File: Des. 485)
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of Knox United Church include such features of the Gothic Revival style as:
- main facade featuring bell tower with crenellated parapet, piers, arched entrance, spandrels surrounding the main entrance, and copper roof;
- large Perpendicular windows, smaller lancet windows;
- slightly rounded, shallow and gently ranked treatment of the buttressing;
- intricate stone window tracery.
Other character defining elements include:
- World War One memorial window in the central bay, as well as extensive stained glass throughout, including thirty- seven memorial;
- use of local Paskapoo sandstone;
- furnishings such as the baptismal font and the oak communion table;
- Cassavant pipe organ with 4,355 pipes;
- oak flooring;
- linoleum flooring in corridor area;
- plan and finishes in adjacent meeting rooms on the main and basement floors.
Location
| Street Address: |
506 - 4 Street SW |
| Community: |
Calgary |
| Boundaries: |
Lots 14 to 18, Block 27, Plan C |
| Contributing Resources: |
Buildings: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
5
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1
|
24
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15
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12 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
C
C
C
C
C
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27
27
27
27
27
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18
17
16
15
14
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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51.047956 |
-114.071094 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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|
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1980/07/04 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1912 to 1913 |
| Period of Significance: |
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| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Religious Institutions
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Architecture and Design
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| Historic Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
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| Current Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
Constructed in 1912-13, the Knox United Church is associated with the first Presbyterian congregation in Calgary, established in 1893. Late Victorian Gothic Revival in style, it is constructed of paskapoo sandstone, cut into polygon shaped blocks - an unusual feature in Calgary sandstone architecture. The interior has remained unaltered and is one of the best city examples of consistency and unity in design. Interesting features include the large Casavant pipe organ, the memorial stained glass windows and the unusual ceiling truss system in the nave. Constructed by F.J. Lawson, a notable Calgary architect (formerly from Winnipeg), the church remains on its original site. At one time the tallest structure in the city, it is now completely surrounded by high-rises. However, it is still regarded as an impressive landmark in downtown Calgary.
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0545 |
| Designation File: |
DES 0485 |
| Related Listing(s): |
4664-0089
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 31307
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 485) |
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