One of the many landmarks in Calgary is the Gothic Revival Knox United Church, which was dedicated in 1913 although it wasn’t yet completed. At one point it was the tallest structure in the city, although any visitor today will recognize that that honour was eclipsed many years ago.



Designed by Francis James Lawson of Calgary, a Scottish trained architect, Knox United was originally built for a grand total of $200,000. He also designed Braemar Lodge, the Simmons residence and portions of the General Hospital in Calgary. It was built by local contractors Fish and Martin and features a sandstone exterior with a copper roof.



Copper was used for the roof, as well as for the gutters, downspouts and other features, as is the case for many churches and other religious structures across Canada. It has matured to the familiar greenish-gray patina, although it is commonly thought that in the West copper tends to evolve to a black or dark brown. Perhaps the length of time in service has contributed to this colouration.



While Knox United has faced some difficult times, including a fire that gutted the facility in 1980, the copper roof will allow the congregation the peace of mind of knowing that it will continue to provide years of service. For one hundred and fifteen years, the dedicated parishioners of Knox United have worked together to ensure that Knox remains responsive to the changing needs of the community, in its challenging role as a vital component of the inner city.