Rev. Mark Y. Stark, together with most of the congregation leaves the Established Church to join the Free Protesting Church of Scotland. The congregation erects a new building on Melville Street, the present site of Knox, with a seating of 300. Another branch of Presbyterianism, the Secessionist Church erects a building on King Street. Kingston limestone, having a bluish cast, used as ballast by ships returning to Dundas, is employed in construction, resulting in this building becoming known as the Bluestone Church. The Hamilton Presbytery approves a separate Ministry for Ancaster.
Strict discipline is applied to members as well as elders.
The two congregations unite, following similar moves in Scotland two years earlier, as the issue of state aid to Churches, is removed. The Church is now known as the Canada Presbyterian Church. Nine years later the Bluestone building is sold to the Episcopalian Methodists. Following brief tenures of Rev. McColl and Rev. Hoskins, Dr. John Laing agrees to come to Dundas. Shortly after his arrival however a crisis hits as the Knox building is destroyed in a severe December storm.