When you drive up Church Road and witness the very substantial and impressive housing complex on the corner with Wadams Way, you'd be surprised to see the area's appearance when this photo was taken in 1953.
The group of Sunday school students and their teachers pictured was taken at the last service at this pioneer church, the first in Sooke.
This photo shows the first Knox Presbyterian Church, built in 1898, a miracle for such a small community.
It served the congregation until 1954 when a new Presbyterian Church replaced it.
Three teachers standing in the entryway are Dorothy Kendrew, Doreen Richardson, and Mrs. Lyttle, wife of Rev. Lyttle.
The two teachers standing at the far right are Helen Yost and Hazel Shepherd.
Though services had been conducted within the small community by visiting ministers, the idea of erecting a church structure in the 1890s seemed daunting to most.
When Rev. Lyman Thompson called a public meeting in the summer of 1898, only two men showed up, George Throup and Edward Milne.
Margaret Jensen, who had been raised by the Murray family, recalled hearing about the almost-universal sentiment, "A church for Sooke, it will be many a day before you can raise money enough for the purpose."
That changed, however.
John Murray joined the group, donating a small piece of his land, and the band of four moved forward with a will that brooked no delays.
In October 1898 they had a ceremony to open the church, though they did have a debt outstanding to their contractor of $250.
By the next year, Donald Fraser had spearheaded a drive for an organ, this was installed with much celebration, and by 1902 the congregation had cleared the debt.
The building shown here did not go to waste, it was purchased by the Masonic Lodge and moved to Throup Road, where today it continues to be rented out to local organizations.
While we know that the Sunday School teachers pictured are no longer with us, we expect that many of the youngsters may be around, and we'd love to hear from them.
Elida Peers.
One of the dramatic changes to Sooke's landscape is happening now at Church Road and Wadams Way.
The structure rising beyond the Knox Presbyterian Church will consist of much-needed affordable housing.
It's nice to see the existing church will remain in place.
This photo taken in 1954 by Milt Gibson shows carpenter Alan Smith working on the vestry.
This second church, like the original in 1898, was built largely by volunteer labour and contributions, but an overseer was needed, and well-known carpenter Smith filled the role.
The church shown here under construction in 1954 replaced the 1898 church.
That original building was moved to Throup Road, close to the approach to Journey Middle School, where, considerably altered now, it serves as Mount Shepherd Lodge's Masonic Hall.
The first Knox Church building seemed a miracle to the handful of settlers that made up the congregation in 1898.
When the idea came up, the expression was heard, "A church for Sooke, it will be many a day before you can raise money enough for the purpose."
The land, "for church and graveyard," was given by John Murray, and the organizing group that moved the development forward included George Throup and Edward Milne.
Margaret (King) Jensen, brought up by the Murrays, told of the early church services, "They had both morning and evening services. Everyone took their coal oil lanterns with them, and when it began to get dark, each one put their lantern on the book board and lit it. Mrs. Murray was morning organist and in the evening Miss Catherine Stewart was organist. Each family seemed to have a special seat, the back seat on each side was occupied by the Phillips family and the Milne family respectively. The Stewarts and Sandersons and Wilsons all kept to the same seats. Mr. Edward Milne took the collection and came creaking up the aisle in his Sunday boots. Collection was taken in a velvet bag on the end of a broom handle as people were afraid someone would see what their donation was"
The current Knox church, when it was completed in 1954 as shown, became the scene of a great many marriages of young Sooke couples, and continues to play a role in the community, including funerals that also draw people together in fellowship.
No doubt many are pleased to see it will remain standing.
Elida Peers.
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