Knox Presbyterian Church, Glenarm
The former Knox Presbyterian Church
For motorists travelling the Glenarm Road, the former Knox Presbyterian Church is one of the most prominent landmarks along the route. Opened on November 26, 1893, it was a magnificent building for a community the size of Glenarm in Victorian times. The population around Glenarm was largely Scottish. In this era, other communities were home to many different denominations. In the Glenarm area, it was different denominations of Presbyterians.
Presbyterianism in nineteenth century Ontario has a complicated political history, with up to three synods operating at any given time—Presbyterianism around Glenarm is similarly a story of unions and separations. The Eldon Church operated in connection with the Church of Scotland (the Established Church), as did Fenelon (Glenarm), until 1869, when it broke away to join the Free Church, along with Kirkfield and Palestine. Woodville-Thorah was part of the Free Church from 1844, which merged with the Successionist Church to form the Presbyterian Church of Canada in 1861. In 1875, another merger formed the Presbyterian Church in Canada, however the Eldon Church did not join this union. In fact, in 1865, members of the Established Church formed a separate congregation in Fenelon Township, just one concession distant from the nearest Free Church. Their chapel was complete by 1867. After Church Union in 1875, Fenelon (Glenarm) and Cambray formed a two-point charge, sharing the cost of a minister. The next year, the congregations of Fenelon-Palestine, Cambray and Islay decided to extend the existing church at Glenarm, which was complete by November. It became known as the Long Church or the White Church. In 1881, they added a manse, then the following year, Cambray separated. In 1883, the Presbytery was renamed ‘Glenarm,’ instead of ‘Fenelon,’ and the congregation was called ‘Knox’ in honour of Scottish Reformation theologian John Knox—a name that was distinctive to the Free Church at the time.
In the nineteenth century, a large proportion of Scottish immigrants spoke Gaelic. To accommodate the congregation, in 1883, Reverend D.M. McDonald preached a service in English, then one in Gaelic, each Sunday morning. Communion was celebrated twice a year (January and July) and lasted five days, from Thursday to Monday. Thursday, “La Trasgaidh” (Fast Day); Friday, “La Rannsaichaidh” (Day of Self-Examination), then at “the Ceisd” elders presented a text that was used to preach the marks of a true Christian; Saturday, “La Ulluchaidh,” (Day of Preparation), members would receive a Communion Token to present at the Communion Service the next day; Sunday, “La Communaidh” (Communion Day); Monday, “La Traingealichd” (Day of Thanksgiving).
For the largely Scottish settlement around Glenarm, the church served as a community centre. For many years, it hosted an annual July Picnic, featuring ball games and tea. In 1891, the congregation began to plan for a new church, which took two years to complete. A basement would be added under the chapel in 1915, as a furnace was installed and the pulpit was rearranged to accommodate choir chairs. In its early years, the church was well attended, and by the early twentieth century it featured a Women’s Missionary Society, Ladies Aid, Sunday School, Mission Band and Young People’s Society. In the early twentieth century, the minister would travel around to homes to hear children answer catechism. Catechism is a series of questions, for which adherents memorize answers (i.e. What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever).
The chapel survived being struck by lightning in 1910, though considerable damage was done. The congregation voted strongly against another Church Union in 1925, as so remained Presbyterian rather than joining the United Church. Hydro was installed in 1937, which was early for the vicinity. The next year it became a two-point charge with Fenelon Falls, which it would remain for the rest of its tenure. In 1948, Maxwell V. Putnam became the resident student minister. He was ordained in 1951, and would go on to become a well-known preacher and moderator of the Presbyterian Church. His successor Walter Jackson was remembered as being a popular minister, particularly with youth. The congregation remained strong through the ministry of William Fairley (1969-1988). With his Scottish brogue, he was a very warm and engaging speaker. He and wife Rita were devoted to caring for his congregation, particularly those who were unwell. The church was never quite the same after he retired.
By the twenty-first century, the days when the Glenarm area was a predominately Scottish settlement had long since passed. When the church was founded, Sunday service was one of the few public social outings that neighbouring farmers could look forward to, as practically everyone attended church. 130 years later, it could not longer be assumed that people would attend church, as families had the freedom to travel and enjoy many forms of recreation that their ancestors could not dream about. For many years, the church struggled to survive, then closed in August 2022. The building was sold and today it is private property, but remains one of the most conspicuous buildings in the area.
