Territorial Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Knox Waterloo is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Neutral peoples.
We acknowledge that Knox Waterloo is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Neutral peoples.
The sacred land on which Knox Waterloo is situated has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years. The Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral people sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travellers sharing their knowledge for survival in what was often a harsh climate. On October 25, 1784, after the American Revolutionary War of Independence, the Halidmand Tract – six miles on either side of the Grand River, all the way along its length – was given to the Six Nations of the Grand River by the British, as compensation for their role in the war and for the loss of traditional lands in Upstate New York. Of the 95,000 acres given to the Haudenosaunee, only 4,600 acres (less than 5 %) remains Six Nations land. It is important to recognize that Knox Waterloo is located on the Haldimand Tract.
Original Church Building: Locally, our roots go back to 1888 when a small group of interested people felt it would be a good idea to form a Distinct Congregation in Waterloo. Until this time, Presbyterians, living in Waterloo attended St. Andrew’s Church in Kitchener(Berlin). The property was selected on George Street in Waterloo. The new church was erected and the Cornerstone laid in June of 1888. It was to be named St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. The first minister called to the pulpit was the Reverend A.E. Mitchell. The membership continued to grow and flourish.
Second Church Building: It wasn’t until after the Church Union Movement in 1925,when the Presbyterians wanted to remain a separate denomination, that Knox Presbyterian Church was formed. Property was purchased, the church was erected and the cornerstone for the new church was laid in June of 1927. The first Minister of the newly formed Church was the Reverend W.G. Richardson. In 1939 the first pipe organ was installed.
Third Church Building: In 1957, a new and larger Sanctuary was built along with more class rooms. This resulted in much needed space for the Sunday School and the many groups that were forming within the Church Family. An addition was built in 1977 to provide more office space and expanded foyer entrance way.
Fourth Church Building: In 2011, a new church building was erected on the former parking lot. The current parking lot is the former foundation of the previous building.
A Little More History: During the 60’s and 70’s, women were filling significant leadership roles in the Church. When a young woman from our congregation approached the Session with her desire to enter the ministry, the request led to the denomination’s discussion, debate and final decision to ordain women to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament as well as Ruling Elders. Knox was one of the first churches to elect and ordain Women Elders. Through the years, Knox Presbyterian Church has seen many dedicated leaders minister to the Church and its people as well as taking leadership roles in the community.
If you have any questions or “Tid-bits” of information to add to our history, please feel free to email us at any time! We look forward to hearing from you.
The Presbyterian Church of Canada: The roots of our denomination date back to the 16th century and the Reformation in Europe. At that time the Reformed (Presbyterian) Church came in to being under the leadership of Jean Calvin (of France) and John Knox (of Scotland). The Reformed Church spread through France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Scotland, Hungary, as well as other countries to a lesser extent. Presbyterianism was established in Canada by Huguenot (French), Scottish and Irish pioneers. The first worship service was held in 1604 among the Acadians. In 1875 the Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed through the amalgamation of five smaller branches of Presbyterianism. Today we have over 1,000 congregations, with our membership exhibiting the same ethnic diversity we find in our country today.
We believe that:
- God is sovereign in our life and world
- As disciples we are called to make Jesus our model for our lives
- The Bible is our rule and guide for faith and love.
- As members of the Church we are to grow in spirit and love, in community, in service and to care for others.
The history behind ‘The Last Supper’ carving located in the lounge by the main entrance. A research paper by Janice Harper (2021).