147 Widder Street, St. Marys, Ontario, Canada

History of Presbyterians in St Marys

1848

United Presbyterian Church established for Downie and Blanshard.   The first services in St Marys were held at a cooper shop, at a log tavern and at the first stone school.   By 1850 a white frame church had been built on Widder St that held 200.   It was added to at least 3 times.

1855

A number of parishioners broke away from the United Presbyterian Church to form the Free Presbyterian Church.   The congregations reunited in 1861.   The Free Presbyterian frame building was first bought by Methodist Episcopals then became the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints from 1884-1940.   It was then converted to appartments and still stands at Park and Church.

August 1856

Downie and St Marys separated into 2 congregations.

May 1878

118 members and adherents split from the First Presbyterian Church to establish the Knox Presbyterian Church.   The Knox church was built opposite the Anglican church at 66 Church St S.   It was destroyed by fire in 1891 as was its replacement in 1905.

March 1881

The last service was held at the frame church on Widder St on March 13, 1881 .   The following week the first service at the current building was held.

1925

With the formation of the United Church of Canada, 100 members of the Knox Church, including every member of the Session, crossed the street to join with the Methodists .

1969

The third Knox Church building was demolished and replaced by appartments.

November 1988

The limestone chimney fell, going through the roof and sanctuary floor into the basement.  Insurance did not fully cover the costs of repairs as the chimney had not been properly maintained.

1993

The 5000 sq foot addition to the building as well as the addition of a balcony that had been postponed by the chimney collapse was completed.

2003

The tower was restored and the slate roof replaced.

The 2nd Knox Church building destroyed by fire in 1905.

Site of the Presbyterian Free Church.
 

The appartments built on the site of the Knox Church
 

The story of Presbyterians in St Marys was published by St Marys Presbyterian Church and St Marys Museum in the book

With Heart & Hands & Voices 1848-1998: Celebrating 150 years of Presbyterianism in St. Marys

compiled by Mary Ainslie Smith