About St Paul's, Knowlton

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St. Paul’s Knowlton Thanksgiving 2026

1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

This year St. Paul’s is thankful to God for 85 years in our present building, the third church on this site.

“The (first) Church was opened for Publick Worship on Sunday the 27th (?).”*  The sermon preached by Rev. Edward Cusack was from Ephesians 4 “I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye were called with all lowliness, etc.” * 

After the first 50 years, that St. Paul’s “of box-pew-kerosene lamp memory… on account of its age and inconveniences no longer meets the wants of the congregation”* and it was taken down and the second St. Paul’s was built.  It opened on 1 December 1892.  “The brick church that rose on this solid foundation was of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, acoustically perfect with a seating capacity of over three hundred  people…”*  

On January 18, 1941, “...clouds of smoke and billows of flame carried away the building which had so many rich associations…But, with the spirit that had dominated their forefathers (sic), they addressed themselves immediately to its replacement.  These dates tell their own amazing story of enthusiasm and co-operation:

January 18th 1941- Second St. Paul’s destroyed by fire.  

February 27th 1941- Adjourned Vestry meeting adopted plans for rebuilding.

May 31st, 1941- Corner-stone laid.

October 18th 1941- Third St. Paul’s Church-debt-free- consecrated by Bishop of Montreal.*  

(*From Centenary and Three Churches- histories of St. Paul’s written by Rev. K.C. Bolton and Mrs.Helen Williams)

We look forward to welcoming the present Bishop of Montreal Victor-David on October 25th at 10:00 to celebrate the 85th anniversary of our church.  

We have so much for which to give thanks:

• For a rich and varied history of various circumstances which has brought us to this celebration and taught us of the faithfulness of God in Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.
• For a new beginning filled with the life and joy of young people experiencing the history, tradition, innovation and community of St. Paul’s.  
• For a new Sunday School meeting twice a month. 
• For faithful leadership, who have adapted and engaged new models of ministry and mission.   Pierre Cabana, Glenn Mason (Wardens), Keith (Skip) Eaman, (treasurer), Megan Seline (secretary) and Warden emeritus  and Search Committee Chair, 22 years ago, Joan McKinnon.  
• For new leadership, Sarah Sweeney and Ren Lafreniere and Alex and Daisy are working with us to engage the opportunities and challenges of this present moment.  
• For beautiful music led by our organist, Pierre Cabana, who is also our Rector’s Warden, book-keeper and is also discerning a potential call to ordained ministry.
• For an update for our digital Hauptwerk organ system.  
• For Athena Bowbrick, a talented musician, who will lead us as we once again explore new music with which to glorify God.  Athena also brings her new husband, Mike and their children, Elijah, Emmet, Lennon and Lainy.
• For the technology that allows us to display our services in three languages- English, French and Spanish every service, every week.  
• For new babies, Josie- daughter of Sarah and Ren- and a boy coming next month- brother of Hannah and son of Lisa and James.   
• For a full summer of weddings (7) and celebrations of life.  
• For all those who have been helped through donations to and from Karma, the thrift store that has rented our basement.  They have recently decided not to renew their lease and so we look forward to seeing how else we might steward our property.  
• For those of our community who support the work of St. Paul’s through their donations.  We have recently had the delightful challenge of learning how to receive stock as donations.  

We could go on and on, and we will, but we invite you to join us, to see for yourself and become a part of the history of the next 85 years.  

We invite you to join us at 8:00 or 10:00 every Sunday.

Rev. K.C. Bolton ends his preface to Centenary with these words:   “The history of St. Paul’s Church, Knowlton really began at that amazing moment in the world’s history when in another country place, Almighty God came into this world in the Person of Jesus Christ. 

The destiny of St. Paul’s Church, Knowlton, it’s service to God and its usefulness to the world will depend on how closely we remain with Our Lord.  May God guide and bless us.”  To which we all say “AMEN. Thanks be to God!”