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[metaslider id=641]KNOX NORTH EASTHOPE HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
The first settlers in North Easthope township arrived in 1828
Most settlers were from Scotland with some others from Northern Ireland
- The first Presbyterian minister, Rev. William Rintoul, visited the area in the early 1830s
- The first permanent minister in the area was Rev. Daniel Allan, who came from Scotland and was ordained in Stratford in November 1838
- The “Great Disruption of 1843” in the Scottish church caused division. Many left the established Church of Scotland to form the Free Church of Scotland
- In North Easthope Rev. Allan and his congregation chose to leave the “Auld Kirk” in 1844 and joined the Free Church
- From 1844-46 Rev. Allan continued to preach in Stratford but the church population in North Easthope grew rapidly
- Plans fell through to construct a church just north of Shakespeare at the site where St. Andrew’s North Easthope now stands, but by 1846 a church was completed on the present site of Knox North Easthope. This church was said to be the first brick church in Upper Canada west of Toronto. It seated up to 300 people and Rev. Allan preached (in both Gaelic and English) up to three hours at a time from his high pulpit
- Rev. Allan continued as minister until 1876,when he retired after 38 years in the charge.
- In 1876 the North Easthope church called Rev. Archibald Stewart, formerly of Mosa Church; at that time there were 130 communicants on the roll.
- Notable events during Rev. Stewart’s tenure included the formation of the Women’s Missionary Society in 1884 and construction of a new church in 1892 (the present church building). Cost for construction was about $2800. It was built by B.F. Youngs, who later built Stratford City Hall
- The third minister of Knox North Easthope, Rev. Robert Cameron, was inducted in 1896 and ministered until 1904. At the turn of the century there were 81 communicants on the roll.
- At this time there was much controversy over the use of instruments in churches. At Knox North Easthope no instrumental music was allowed in the service of praise and only the Psalms were sung until 1902.
- Turnover of ministers was rapid in the early decades of the twentieth century, with four ministers serving between 1904 and 1916. Rev. Archibald Mclachlin came out of retirement in 1916 to take charge of the church and remained until 1930, when he was 81. He shepherded the congregation through the difficult years before and after church union in 1925 and the formation of the United Church of Canada.
- In 1944 Knox North Easthope celebrated its centenary, with the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rev. A. C. Stewart, as guest minister.Rev Joseph Taylor was the church minister at this time. Rev Taylor later went to work for many years at Evangel Hall in Toronto.
- Since the 1950s, twelve ministers served Knox North Easthope.
- In 1954 Hydro was installed in the building.
- In 1992 the township Municipal Council designated Knox North Easthope Church under the Ontario Heritage Act as architecturally and historically significant. A bronze heritage plaque was unveiled and later in the year Lieutenant Governor Henry N.R. Jackman visited.
- In 1994 the congregation marked its 150th anniversary. The Rev. Dr. Earle F. Roberts, Moderator of the 119th General Assembly was the guest minister. At this time another historical bronze plaque was unveiled
- In 2019 the congregation marked it’s 175th anniversary. The Rev Daniel Cho, Moderator of the 144th General Assembly was the guest minister.