CELEBRATING OUR 170^TH YEAR OF MINISTRY

Our Story

A Brief History

Knox United Church carries a proud spiritual heritage dating back to 1834. This long tradition is documented and preserved in the minute books recording the activities of the earliest meetings of the Stanley Street Church (1834), Knox Church (1843), and the Wesleyan Methodist Church (1864). Both Stanley Street Church and Knox Church rose out of the Scottish Presbyterian tradition.

The church building you find yourself in today was opened on October 9, 1888. The Galt Reporter described the site of the church as “being very picturesque overlooking the Nith River.” “Two large and beautiful gas chandeliers” lit the sanctuary, which has a seating capacity of 650. The tower was reported to rise to a height of 80 feet.

In 1914, union negotiations between the Stanley Street and Knox Presbyterian Church were completed and the first combined meeting of the Knox United Presbyterian Church was held on June 7, 1914. In 1925, by congregational vote of 193 to 73, Knox United Presbyterian Church joined the United Church of Canada.

The Methodist Church entered union negotiations with Knox in 1912 but these came to a standstill in 1914 with the outbreak of the Great War. Union became a reality in 1926, and a “uniting service” for Knox United Church was held on June 6^th of that year.

Today, we continue our journey of faith, united in fellowship, and tending the path that Jesus Christ calls us to follow. Many of our congregants are seventh generation “Knoxites;” many are “new comers” who have strengthened our fold. Our church doors are open to all.

Congregational Life

For many years the roles of male and female were clearly defined at Knox. Men primarily provided leadership as elders, trustees and managers.

Women’s groups from the Ladies Aid, the Women’s Association, the Women’s Missionary Society, the United Church Women and the Friendship Group worked beside the men, supporting fundraising initiatives for missions and outreach, and “household” items such as organs, pianos, kitchen ware, the bell, hymnals, communion sets, and Sunday School supplies.

Today, women and men and children work together in lay partnerships

Our Sunday School and Youth Groups and Small Group Ministries are a vital part of congregational life.

The activities in our building reach out beyond worship in our community. Knox provides facilities for weekly meetings of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and An Air Cadet Squadron. We also provide space for the North Dumfries Pre-School Cooperative.

With the growth of our village in recent years, Knox has welcomed many new members and adherents to our church family. We are a growing family of faith seeking to know Christ and making Him known to others.

Fast Facts

— “Born To Grow” – Knox United Church celebrated at 150 years in 1984.

— Present church building dedicated 1888.

— Knox Manse (176 Piper St.) built in 1881-82; sold to a private owner in 1973.

— Bell installed in 1909 bearing the inscription “Erected in memory of the officers of the church by the Ladies Aid Society 1909.”

— Pipe Organ installed in 1919

— Sound system first installed in 1945, upgraded in 1968 and again in 1995.

— March 12, 1950 – Rev. Ida MacKenzie – the first woman to preach from the Knox pulpit.

— Rear addition including the Fellowship Hall and upgraded Sunday School rooms dedicated on June 1, 1952

— Communion table and baptismal font dedicated in 1953, commissioned from a bequest by Mrs. George Easton.

— Tower chimes installed in 1958 in memory of Miss Lois Hall.

— Original weather vane blew off the tower and broke in the 1960’s; the pieces are preserved in the historical collection.\

— Pulpit Bible dedicated on December 10, 1968 in memory of Mrs. James Grimmer.

— Election of the first women to Session in 1976.

— Grand piano installed and dedicated in Memory of Rev. James Currie in 1984.

— Floor lectern commissioned in 1990 in memory of Mrs. Agnes (Lillico) Brown.

— Vestments and minister’s alb presented in 1996 in memory of Mrs. Helen Murray.

— Restoration of leaded glass windows completed in 1997.

— December 31, 1997: 359 households and 754 persons under pastoral care; membership roll at 352.

— Official Board structure changed to Church Council structure in 1997.

— February 2004 – New Gilanti Organ installed and dedicated.

— June 2004 – Major restoration of south wall and bell tower.

Doors Open report

Knox United Church in Ayr, erected in 1888, was originally Knox Presbyterian Church. The congregation was formed in 1842 with aid form Rev. Bayne of Knox’s church in Galt. The first church was built in 1843. Another Presbyterian church called Stanley Street was built also in 1843 in Ayr. It was closed in 1914 when the congregation joined with Knox to be called Knox United Presbyterian church. After the 1925 church union, the Wesleyan Methodist congregation joined to make one congregation and church called Knox United Church.

This is a beautiful building. The tall spire was originally financed by a devoted Scottish farmer who said “It’s nae a kirk without a steeple”. The contract price for the building was $17,970 and it was opened debt free. In 1952 a $70,000 addition with a fellowship hall, study, classrooms and kitchen was built and opened debt free.

The stained glass windows were refurbished several years ago. The original pipe organ was installed in 1919 and served until 2004 when an electronic organ was installed. The sanctuary has been changed very little for the original plan.

In addition to regular church groups such as youth groups, choirs, women’s groups, prayer and study groups, the North Dumfries Pre-school uses the facilities. It is a well-used building.

Knox United Church opens it doors to the community for worship and fellowship.

Moving Forward

Today, Knox is moving forward into a new future: renovating existing space to provide a new kitchen, new meeting rooms and new washrooms. Over the next 10 years Knox will be investing between $500,000 and 1.5 million in a restoration plan for the original building.

Our Vision is to “Grow.” To do that Knox United, Ayr is open to the community. We believe God invites all people to faith in Jesus Christ. Here at Knox, we are committed to helping make that a reality.