by Sarah Benson-Lord
Trail Museum and Archives
Although not pristine quality, this image captures one of only two in the collection showing the construction of the beautiful Trail United Church on Pine Avenue.
We head back to April 1921 for Trail Blazers this week.
The United Church of Canada was actually formed in 1925, which saw the “union” of the Congregationalist, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches.
In Trail, the Presbyterians and Methodists were well-represented, each denomination with its own bricks and mortar structure in which to worship.
Both churches were situated along Pine Avenue at that time and were built in the late 1890s.
With the rapid growth of the city, the Presbyterian congregation began construction of the new church at Pine Avenue and Eldorado Street.
Construction of the church featuring a 50-foot tower began that fall.
Street architectural design is attributed to Trail architect Norman Emms Read, who invited construction tenders province-wide in July 1920.
It was officially dedicated in December 1921 at a cost of $32,000.
With talks between the three denominations occurring at a national level, it was on June 10, 1925 that all three amalgamated as one.
The Knox Presbyterian Church thus became the Knox United Church, and eventually the Trail United Church in the 1980s.
The congregation was a generous one, with early capital projects including a two-manual electric pneumatic Woodstock pipe organ costing $6,000, the additional tubular chimes, and of course, the beautiful memorial windows celebrating Hope, Victory, Peace, and Devotion.
The manse was added in 1936, then replaced in 1960 by the adjoining and busy facility we see today.
The church remains very active, supporting community outreach, a food bank, a warming/cooling centre, fundraising concerts, Kootenay Festival of the Arts performances, and of course, church services, nearly 103 years later.
One of Trail’s most unique and cherished buildings, this heritage structure is most definitely a Trail landmark.
Read more: Wintertime at the Smelter Flats
Read more: Ceremony honours Trail airman, 17, and 22 others killed in Second World War
Read more: Remembering a young man from Trail who went to war and never came home
Read more: Long-lost poem recounts life of an air gunner
Read more: Colourful memories in ‘Silver City Linings’
Read more: Big Fish Tales
Read more: Great ol’ classics on four wheels
Read more: Memories of Dixie Lee still linger