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The home of the oldest Protestant congregation in Calgary, the Gothic Revival Knox United Church at 506 4th Street SW is older than the City itself. Reverend Angus Robertson would minister the Presbyterian community, with North West Mounted Policeman Colonel James Walker and Dr. Andrew Henderson, one of the city's first physicians, becoming founding members of the church. The growing congregation would attract several civic leaders, including Alexander Calhoun, the city's first librarian. Before a standalone location was built, the church operated out of the cramped I.G. Baker & Co. Store in Inglewood.
The parishioners had their own place to call home by 1883 with the construction of a wooden church. Just three years later, the first large stone building in Calgary became the new place of worship for the group. An addition to the building in 1905 would temporarily contain the growing membership, but it was becoming increasingly clear that a major facility needed to be built for what was then the largest congregation in the city.
The sandstone building we know today — augmented by stained glass windows, a tall bell tower, and a large corner courtyard — was built in 1913. Referred to as the 'cathedral of the west,' it was the tallest building in the city. Knox United Church was later conferred status as both a municipal and provincial historic resource.
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