Knox United Church congregation members and friends gathered on Sunday, August 27, at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate 114 years of ministry and to say farewell to their beloved building.
All were welcome to this historic event which, while a celebration, carried an undercurrent of melancholy. Still, the congregation expressed joy at transitioning to a new home.
The Reverend Canon Andrea L. Brennan, B.A. (Hons.), M.Div., Pastor, Priest and Prophet, Regional Dean of the East Kootenay Region, and Incumbent of the Elk Valley Ecumenical Shared Ministry (Christ Church Anglican and Fernie Knox United), was joined on the podium by Kathy Davies, Regional Minister (Pacific Mountain Region, United Church of Canada), and the Rt. Reverend Dr. Lynne McNaughton, Bishop of the Diocese of Kootenay and Archbishop of B.C. and the Yukon, Anglican Church of Canada.
A screen was in place allowing former pastors and others to attend the event via Zoom.
Reverend Brennan welcomed everyone, introduced the clergy on the podium, led opening prayers, and then invited me to speak. As a member of the board of the Fernie Heritage Trust Nonprofit Society, which has purchased the Knox building, I was present to share a few words on behalf of our chair, Gordon Sombrowski, who was unable to attend.
Before I began, I introduced board members Brad Snell and Jill Palamarek, who have been deeply dedicated to transforming Knox Church into a public space for arts and culture.
Special thanks go to Gordon for contributing the meaningful words below, which I delivered in his place:
“Today is remarkable — a day for the spirit and the soul, for the intellect and the arts. It is a day on which a beautiful building ceases to be one thing and yet continues to serve many of the purposes it was built for, while embracing new creative ones waiting to be discovered.
The Knox United Church congregation has made great change to sustain itself, and in that process has helped to leave a legacy that continues a tradition of service and community started almost a century and a quarter ago.
This building has been a place of spirituality and of community, and we are pleased that life continues for the building in the spirituality of community, art, and culture. Since December, we have already seen the mystery and the magic that music and theatre have created for audiences who have come together under Knox’s arches. As we adapt the building, that wonder will only grow and mature.
Thank you to the United Church of Canada and the Knox United Church congregation of Fernie, the Board of Governors and Trustees, and especially Evelyn Cutts, Annie Cox, Adele Jakubec, Andrea Brennan, and Bruce Elson for your special assistance on behalf of Knox in helping make this possible. And thank you to the many generations who stewarded this building — we look to your example as we continue its legacy into the future.”
A video presentation from a past reverend of the church followed, in which she expressed being “forever grateful for my time with you.”
Evelyn Cutts then spoke, sharing her hope that the building would “keep that all-are-welcome spirit and not lose its dignity or musical space.” She thanked all the ministers and read passages from Joshua and Corinthians.
Bishop Lynne McNaughton reflected on the transition as “another time of change in our community,” noting that, “as Joshua says goodbye to the people, saying farewell to the old is a solemn moment. We are remembering the past and offering the building for a new purpose for the community. Knox has been bold — God never confined us to a building made by human hands. Anglicans are courageous as well, and together you are creating a new worship and a sacred space. Moving in together means being generous in listening, respectful of those sharing a space, open to change, kindness, forgiveness, and peace. Remember: nothing is lost in God’s loving arms. Enter this union with courage, strength, stamina, and agreement.”
Longtime Knox pianist Scott Smith read a passage, followed by Kathy Davies, Regional Minister, who presented symbolic items for Knox members to bring to their new home at Christ Church Anglican.
A handmade banner, created by Sunday school children, was presented to Annie Cox, who said, “We already feel like we are home — old friends, new life — it’s not one or the other. This banner will go into the Anglican Church.” Evelyn Cutts received the wooden talking stick adorned with coloured ribbons of both churches, and Reverend Andrea was offered the candle.
A historic Bible, handed to Linda Bird, came with a letter dated May 16, 1956, written by Reverend David Gordon, explaining that it was first presented to him as a family Bible but, having no pulpit Bible, he used it in the pulpit of the Fernie Presbyterian Church until 1904. He later had it rebound and returned it to Fernie for use by his old congregation.
A beautiful gold cross, part of the church for over 100 years, was presented to Bruce Elson. Remaining items were left for other groups to use.
The worship concluded with Reverend Brennan’s blessing and an invitation for all to join a sumptuous hot lunch at the Anglican Church, prepared by the ladies of the congregation.
Scott Smith shared that he has been pleased to play the piano for many years. He recalled first mentioning to the late Mary East that he played piano, which led to nearly three decades of service beginning in 1994, alternating with Louisa Sullivan and Mary Eckersley. He added, “It’s been a year since we joined together under the same pastor, which made this transition much easier — part of our biweekly turn with Andrea.”
Mary Menduk described the ceremony as “a very moving symbolism of the artifacts chosen — it was a new ritual, but we need rituals in our lives.”
During lunch, Anglican Church member Orlan Webber thanked everyone for coming, noting what a great occasion it was to have both congregations together.
One attendee observed that this situation was inevitable — that it could have been one or both churches closing — a scenario seen in many communities as younger generations move away from church life. “Sports have been made into worship,” someone noted. With the older generation, which once sustained churches, passing on, maintaining large buildings has become increasingly difficult. Looking around the lunch tables, that sentiment resonated, as most present were middle-aged or seniors.
Still, the celebration was uplifting, led beautifully by Reverend Brennan, whose words and tone made for a memorable and heartfelt farewell.
Congratulations to the Knox United and Christ Anglican congregations on their new venture — showing that the love of God for His children knows no denomination, and that a church is not the building but the love held in the heart of each person, no matter where we worship.
By Mary Giuliano
Mary arrived in Fernie in May of 1953 and has lived here ever since, by choice, because she loves the Elk Valley and everything it stands for. Read more from Mary here.
