Welcome! We’ve compiled some frequently asked questions to help you out.
How do I get to church? And if I’m driving, where do I park?
Knox Downtown Campus (89 Dunn St.) is where most worship services are held. It’s located at the intersection of Lakeshore Rd. E and Dunn St. in downtown Oakville. The church’s prominent steeple is visible above the shops that line Lakeshore Rd. and makes it easy to spot from a distance.
Three bus routes either pass the doors or have stops nearby: 2 Lakeshore, 14 Lakeshore West and 17 Kerr. All three have stops at Dunn St.
If you’re driving, free parking is available on Sundays in a municipal parking lot on Robinson St., located just behind the church building. There’s also street parking available throughout the area.
Here’s a map of downtown parking options, with the location of the downtown church marked:
Knox Bronte Campus (156 Third Line) is located on Third Line, about one block north of Lakeshore Rd. Parking is available in our on-site parking lot. This campus is used for ministry activities throughout the week, and occasional services outside of Sunday mornings.
The 14 and 14A Lakeshore West bus from Oakville GO and the 3 Third Line bus from Bronte GO both go past the church.
What should I wear?
Some people dress up for church and some people dress more casually. Do what’s best for you.
Please note, however, that we’re a scent free church. Some members of the congregation have scent-related allergies, and so we respectfully ask that you not apply perfume, aftershave or scented lotion prior to coming to worship.
The downtown campus sanctuary is not air conditioned, so please dress in something that will be comfortable in warm summer weather. Our lower level is air conditioned (thanks to Phase One of the New Roads Project), so if you find it’s too warm in the sanctuary, you’re welcome to head to the downstairs hall. There’s a huge TV with the livestream of the service, comfy couches, and usually coffee, tea, or cool drinks.
What should my kids do?
Kids are welcome to join in our children’s programs or remain with their parents. There are worship bags provided at the entrances to the sanctuary that kids can take with them to their pew with colouring sheets, activities, and a small snack, to offer kids some hands-on ways to engage with the service. We also have a “pray-ground” area at the front where little ones can play with soft toys or books.
During the service, children will be invited to head downstairs to our children’s worship centre, if they’d like to do so. Parents can come, too, if it will help the kids feel more comfortable. You can learn more about our Young Children and Worship program here.
Downstairs in our Nicoll Hall, we have a “cozy corners” area, which features comfy couches and chairs, an assortment of toys for babies and toddlers, and a big TV with a livestream of the service so you won’t miss a thing. This is a great alternative spot for parents with little ones who need a little more space to move around, or who would like a comfier place to nurse their babies.
What’s the music like?
We don’t believe there have to be only “traditional” and “contemporary” worship services. Our music director and praise team leader choose a blend of meaningful and beautiful music selections and hymns for each service. Some are led from the piano, and some from the organ. We also have a Chancel Choir that helps lead worship, and they always welcome new members.
What do you believe?
If you want the long answer, check out Living Faith, a document that outlines the beliefs and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in an accessible way.
If you want the short answer, we believe:
- The Trinity—God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—is central to our faith. God is the Father to whom we come, the Son through whom we come, and the Spirit by whom we come.
- The Bible inspires and guides us in what we believe and how we live. Presbyterians think of the Bible as the written word of God. We consider it the most authoritative source for faith and practice. By reading the Bible, succeeding generations know what God has done and what God requires.
- Worship gives Presbyterians an opportunity to praise, listen, and respond to God. In worship we celebrate two sacraments—Baptism and Communion—which are visible expressions of the gospel given as a way to enter and encourage Christian growth. We encourage active participation in worship through prayer, music, Scripture-based preaching and teaching, and fellowship.
- All are equal in the eyes of the Lord and each person has the ability to provide powerful and effective ministry to others. We support ministry within and outside of the Knox church family. We encourage and help individuals to recognize, develop and use the gifts with which we have all been individually blessed, to minister to the needs of people.
- We strive to be a friendly, welcoming congregation relevant to, and actively involved in, our community.
But what does ‘Presbyterian’ mean, anyway?
Presbyterianism was originally established in Scotland by John Knox during the Protestant Reformation. The word Presbyterian means “elder” and it refers primarily to a system of church government, although it also encompasses the beliefs, doctrines, and identity we hold as part of our denomination. (Elder in this context, by the way, means someone who is wise—not someone who is old.)
Unlike some other Christian churches, the Presbyterian Church doesn’t have bishops or archbishops. Instead, we have “courts” that are made up of ministers and elders who together make decisions and carry out the work of the church.
You can learn more about the Presbyterian Church in Canada on the denomination’s webpage.
Are you an affirming congregation?
Yes. Knox’s Session has voted to permit same-sex weddings in our sanctuary, and our minister, Rev. Jacqui Foxall, will officiate at same-sex weddings. LGBTQI individuals are also eligible for election as elders in our church.
We celebrate unity but not uniformity. There’s no requirement for members or adherents to subscribe to the same understanding of marriage as our Session. The Presbyterian Church in Canada holds two parallel definitions of marriage: that of a union between a man and a woman, and that of a union between two persons. Individuals are permitted to choose which of these definitions they hold. However, homophobia and transphobia have no place in our church. Regardless of what theology of marriage you hold, all of us are called to treat each other with love and respect.