Knox United Church (Saskatoon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knox United Church |
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Knox United Church front
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| 52°7′50.12″N 106°39′16.2″W / 52.1305889°N 106.654500°W | |
| Denomination | United Church of Canada |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | City of Saskatoon municipal heritage property |
| Designated | October 16, 2003 |
| Architect(s) | Brown and Vallance |
| Style | Collegiate Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1912 |
| Completed | 1914 |
| Administration | |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
Knox United Church is a beautiful and historic building in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located at 838 Spadina Crescent East, right in the city's main business area. This church is so important that it has been named a special heritage building by the City of Saskatoon. This means it is protected because of its history and unique design.
Contents
History of Knox United Church
How the Church Started
The story of Knox United Church began a long time ago, in 1885. After a historical event called the North-West Rebellion, a group of people in Saskatoon decided to form a church community. They were part of something called the Saskatoon Presbyterian Field Mission.
At first, they didn't have their own building. They met in many different places.
- They held meetings in people's homes.
- They used the Old Stone Schoolhouse.
- They even met in the Methodist Church.
- Sometimes, they gathered in the railway roundhouse.
Eventually, they built a small wooden church near the river. It was big enough to hold about 160 people.
Building the Current Church
As the community grew, they needed a bigger church. Famous architects named Brown and Vallance from Montreal designed the church you see today. They used a style called Collegiate Gothic. This style looks a bit like old university buildings or colleges.
Construction on the new church began in 1912. It took two years to build, and it was finished in 1914.
Design and Features
Knox United Church is a large, two-story building. It is made of dark red bricks, which give it a strong and classic look. One of the most beautiful parts of the church is its many stained-glass windows. These windows tell stories and fill the inside with colorful light.
The church is quite spacious, with enough seating for 1,200 people. This makes it a very large gathering place.
Amazing Acoustics
Knox United Church is also known for its excellent sound quality. This is called acoustics. Because the sound travels so well inside, it's a popular spot for different events. Many musical performances, especially chamber music, are held there. People love to listen to music in such a grand and clear-sounding space.
Stained Glass Art
The beautiful stained-glass windows at Knox United Church are very special. An organization called the Institute for Stained Glass in Canada has carefully studied and recorded them. This shows how important these artistic windows are to Canadian history and art.
