The congregation of Edmonton Presbyterian Church, NWT came into being in 1881 and changed its name to First Presbyterian Church in 1905 when Alberta became a province. The present church building (the third) has been used for worship since 1912, and is most attractive both within and without. In 1987, it was declared an historic resource by the Province of Alberta and in 2000 a plaque was unveiled granting it historic designation by the City Of Edmonton.
The year 2006 marked a significant milestone for First Church. It was on November 6th, 1881 that Reverend Andrew Baird conducted the first Presbyterian service ever to have been held in Edmonton (or indeed in what is now the Province of Alberta). The fall of 2006 marked the 125th Anniversary of the beginnings of Presbyterian witness in our city and province.
Annual Tour
Please join us in July for our annual historical tour in conjunction with Heritage Week. The tour culminates in an organ recital on our 1909 Casavant Organ. Please check the Edmonton & District Historical Society webpage for dates for the tour.
The Casavant Organ
The organ in First Church was originally built in 1909 by Casavant. In 1951 it was revised to include a new console and stop additions were also made at that time. In 2004, fundraising for a $300,000 organ renovation project began, and by the summer of 2007, the organ renovation was complete. First Presbyterian Church has since hosted multiple organ concerts, showcasing the wonderful tone of the renovated organ.