About 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon, the 16th of February 1901, smoke was seen pouring out at
the back end of Knox Church, and in a few minutes, the beautiful 14 year old stone church, was
engulfed in smoke and flames. The local volunteer fire brigade did a great job to control the fire,
since the stone walls and slate roof contained it to the interior, making it extremely difficult for
them. At that time, our water came from a reservoir at Silvercreek, and according to the
newspaper, the fall at the church was one of the strongest in town, at 197 feet. Fortunately, most
of the furnishings including a piano in the basement were all saved, as were the pulpit and pulpit
chairs, and the original pulpit bible. Most importantly, the windows were also left intact! A great
deal of credit was due to our local fire brigade, who did a great job in saving the building. They
figured that the fire had started in the furnace, which was down in the basement under the front
of the church, and on the Monday following, the Board of Managers held a special meeting at
which time they made a resolution exonerating the caretaker of any blame in connection with the
fire.