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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 23, 2008 - 9 Pedal power meets the challenges Continued from page 8 According to the Knox website, the hotel had once been a wild drinking place called O'Reilly's Tavern where an owner kept a live bear chained up to amuse customers. But Oakville residents voted the town dry in 1881 and by 1887 the tavern's owner sold the bar to the Presbyterians for $1,600. Several years later, a church bell, cast in New York State, was added. By 1894, a pedal organ had been approved -- though conservative churchgoers regarded it as "the devil's instrument." By 1919, the church sanctuary was renovated to what it is today. The organ was replaced with a new one, the chancel was extended through the arch and the stained glass window of the Last Supper was installed in memory of the men in the congregation who died in the Great War, including the son of the minister. The window was donated by Cecil Marlatt, owner of a family tannery, who died eight years later, bankrupt. The renovations also saw the addition of what is now R.G. MacMillan Hall. The 1925 Union crisis and the creation of the United Church of Canada, along with the Great Depression, brought about tough times so it wasn't until 1949 that the congregation was free of its mortgage. Originally named Oakville Presbyterian Church, or the Presbyterian Church, Oakville 1888 Building was named Knox after John Knox. The congregation voted to remain Presbyterian in 1925. In 1955 the arrival of the Ford Motor company led to Presbyterian Church, the notion of a longdistance bike-a-thon would be unfamiliar to the original founders of the church, but not the concept of giving to the community. "Knox has an extraordinary tradition of community involvement," said Marsden. "Whether it's opening our doors at Midnight Madness, aiding local charities, or delivering Christmas gifts to needy families, Knox is a vibrant part of life in Oakville. We take great pride in our strong roots in the community," he said. Many of this year's fundraisers will support Home Suite Hope, a charity that meets the needs of the homeless in Halton. "Presbyterians don't do anything by half measures," laughed Marsden. In their bright yellow jerseys, that read "Knox Oakville 175 years young," the team biked to Niagara-On-The-Lake, following a route along the lakeshore, Waterfront Trail and North Service Road. Marsden began cycling with Jeffrey just a couple of years ago, though some of the team members have been cycling for a long time. On the other hand, Shoemaker literally just bought a bike a couple of months ago, according to Marsden. The reverend teaches a spinning class as a volunteer at the YMCA of Oakville. Home Suite Hope helps those who may find themselves without a home, get back on their feet. "The Knox Cycling Team is continuing a 175-year tradition of Christian compassion at Knox," said Marsden, noting that Knox has a congregation of more than 900 people of whom more than 400 are regular worshippers -- one of the largest Presbyterian congregations in Canada. As of Monday, the team had raised more than $10,000 for Home Suite Hope and donations can still be made at http://www.canadahelps.org (select Home Suite Hope) or by sending a cheque to Home Suite Hope or Knox Presbyterian Church. For information, visit www.knoxoakville.com or www.homesuitehope.org. CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER RIDING FOR HOME: Rev. Mike Marsden and the Knox Cycling Team return after a 175-kilometre bike-athon Saturday. They raised more than $10,000 for Home Suite Hope. growth and the church expanded again. Completed in 1956, the new section along Dunn Street includes the parlour, library, counting room, office, and nursery. In 1965, a hall was built under the church to provide more space for the church school. It was named for C.K. McNicoll, the minister who guided Knox from its centennial in 1933 to 1961. "Each kilometre travelled is symbolic of one year of Knox as a faith community in Oakville," said Marsden. Since the first chain-driven model bicycle was invented around 1885, more than 50 years after the founding of Knox JULY CLEARANCE, WON'T LAST LONG Lowest clearance prices of the season Including Samuelsohn, Canali, Coppley and more. Regular Price $695 to $1,998 SUITS $ SPORT JACKETS Sport Jackets $ $ Now Now as Low as Low as Regular Regular Price Price $450 to $450 to $1398 $1398 Now as Low as 199 499 199 WIN A FREE TRIP * Now as Now as Low as Pants PANTS99 $ $ Low as 7999 25 50%OFF 79 Not all sizes available Allen-Edmonds & Cole Haan. 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