This week, Trail Blazers recognizes the presence of long-standing institutions in our community: the Presbyterian and United churches.
Their histories intertwine, the Presbyterian church having been offering services in Trail since May 1895, some 130 years ago.
As in most burgeoning towns of the day, religious services occurred wherever folks gathered. In Trail’s case, Rev. Hugh Robertson, fittingly held the first Presbyterian service in May 1895 in the bar of Trail House, built by Colonel Topping and Frank Hanna, and owned and managed by Frank’s wife, Mary Jane.
The services then moved to Trail’s first schoolhouse, a one-room structure on Green Avenue.
The following fall, the growing Presbyterian congregation built Trail’s first dedicated church, situated on Spokane Street above where City Hall is now.
It was moved farther down Pine Avenue some years later and served a variety of Christian denominations.
The Methodists were not far behind in organizing and built their church close by, at the corner of Farwell and Pine in 1897.
But, Trail continued to grow and so did the need for more substantial infrastructure. The Presbyterians rallied and formed a building committee in 1920 to see a new church constructed for their congregation.
In May 1921, the cornerstone was laid by Mr. and Mrs. Noble Binns, in what would be the Knox Church.
In that cornerstone lives copies of the Nelson News and Trail News from May 1921, lists of church officers, those involved with construction, names of those in the congregation, and silver and copper coins.
But why were Mr. and Mrs. Binns asked to perform this ceremonial task?
Not only a member of Trail’s first City Council in 1901, Mr. Binns and his wife were both members of the original congregation back in 1895 in that old schoolhouse.
In June 1925, the United of Church of Canada formed, following lengthy negotiations between the Methodists and Presbyterians.
Trail’s congregations officially amalgamated on September 22, 1925, making 2025 the Trail United Church’s centennial year.
But the Presbyterians remain distinct in our community still, despite the merger.
In 1927, it was discovered that some Presbyterian services were being held in Gaelic at the Orange Hall behind Knox United for members of Trail’s Scottish community.
A visiting reverend caught wind of the gatherings and encouraged a congregation of non-unionists (those opposed to the ongoing union with England) to reform, independent of Knox United.
In 1931, the First Presbyterian Church opened on Riverside Avenue. It has since returned to the street on which it all began, Pine Avenue, where it operates in the former St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Pine Avenue remains Trail’s district of faith-based organizations, continuing to provide community support, venues for the arts, an appreciation of built heritage, and comfort.
