HERITAGE FEATURE
Knox
In the Great fire of 1908 , much of Fernie was razed to the ground including the 1898 wooden church that stood at the northwest corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street . The Fernie Knox Presbyterian congregation immediately set to work on a new church as rebuilding efforts began in early 1909 across the city . By 1910 , the new church was completed . The building is an homage to the original structure with an almost identical form , including the gable roof and corner bell tower but with a longer footprint . Built using the distinctive cream-coloured bricks from the Fernie Brick Company , it is both a testament to the city ’ s first founders and a notable highlight of Fernie ’ s architectural legacy . The church features three original 1909 art-glass windows , the large centre window depicting Christ knocking on a door , based on Revelation 3:20 .
By around 1919 , the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations were worshipping together at this site and in 1925 they supported the formation of the United Church of Canada as their respective churches came together with the Congregational Church across the country . This site was selected as the formal home for the amalgamated
congregation and renamed the Knox United Church .
With an evolving congregation , the members of Knox United Church entered into an Ecumenical Shared Ministry with Christ Church Anglican and following a transitional period , the building was purchased by the Fernie Heritage Trust in December 2022 . With a mission to preserve and protect the built and cultural heritage of Fernie and recognizing the need for a larger performing arts venue , the Trust saw a wonderful opportunity to maintain the building for the community . Although renovations and alterations will be needed for the building to reach its full potential , bookings are already being accepted for events . The Fernie Community Choir will perform the Spring Concert at Knox on June 2nd .
fernieheritagetrust . ca Instagram / fernie _ heritage _ trust /
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