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8- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 23, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Knox team cycles 175 km to help at home By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF From ... `Wouldn't it be neat?' uttered by Reverend Mike Marsden, Presbyterian pedal power not only celebrated the 175th anniversary of Knox Presbyterian Church, but raised $10,000 for Home Suite Hope. The Knox Cycling Team set out Saturday to go the distance for a good cause -- and did. Led by Marsden, the team members braved torrential downpours, a collision and a broken bicycle -- and the 175-kilometre trek to Niagara and back -- to raise more than $10,000. The 175-km bike-a-thon was one of many celebrations taking place throughout the year to celebrate Knox's 175th anniversary. While every kilometre marked a year of the church's history, Marsden said it would have been too easy to just raise cash for the church, so instead, the anniversary events are giving back to the community in which Knox has made its home for so many years -- in fact, longer than Oakville has actually been an official town. (Oakville celebrated its 150th anniversary last year). A small delegation braved early morning drizzle to see the cycling team off Saturday at 6 a.m. The ride to Niagara and back saw one flat tire and a few mechanical problems that caused minor delays. However, humid, unpredictable weather proved to be the challenge as the team endured muggy conditions throughout the trip and then had to navigate through a major rainstorm on the return leg of the journey. Weary team members were however greeted by a large crowd upon their return to Knox, located at 89 Dunn St., at Lakeshore and Dunn. The team included Marsden as well as Cliff Jeffrey, Markus Herten, Louis Kirstein, Duncan Low, Brad Shoemaker and Dave Yeilding. Doug Taylor, who doesn't attend Knox, but hails from the community, also rode. Other Knox 175th events this year include: a strawberry social, the recent performance of the Hand Bell Choir, a 5km run, a car rally, golf tournament and more. After 175 years, there is lots of history to celebrate. According to the church's website, its history began in 1833 when American and Scottish Presbyterians held a simple service attended by 11 worshippers in a wooden frame building on the east bank of the Sixteen-Mile Creek. The settlement, on land surrendered by the Mississauga Indians, was in the last large virgin forest between Toronto and Hamilton Bay. Early church services in Oakville, a pioneer shipbuilding port abundant with white oak trees, were held in places like a cabinet maker's shop. The Americans departed with the 1837 Rebellion and the Church of Scotland took over until 1844. In 1844, the church became the Free Church of Scotland and James Nisbet became minister, remaining until 1862 when he was appointed a missionary to the Red River Colony. From 1844 to 1883, Knox was linked with Knox Church Sixteen, whose building was upstream at Dundas Street. In 1850 a white frame church building was erected on William Street. In 1888 the old frame church that had been called Oakville Presbyterian Church was replaced by the current red brick, Gothic-style building. The new church took a year to build. The church had purchased as its new site, the White Oak Hotel at Dunn Street and Colborne Street (now Lakeshore Road). See Pedal page 9 Vision ­ To be the most livable town in Canada PUBLIC EVENTS Join us in making Oakville the most livable town in Canada. Bronte Village Revitalization Study Workshop 3: Community Planning Options Staff Contacts: Budget Review with the Ward 6 Councillors Agenda: Tom Adams Regional and Town Councillor 905-849-7915 tadams@oakville.ca Max Khan Town Councillor 905-599-0119 mkhan@oakville.ca Wednesday July, 30th The Oakville Great Heritage Tree Hunt Contest The Oakville Great Heritage Tree Hunt is a joint partnership between Oakvillegreen Conservation Association and the Town of Oakville.