The foundations of Knox College can be traced back to the early history of Presbyterianism in Canada. Tensions within the Church of Scotland resulted in the creation of the Free Church of Scotland in May 1843 and these issues would be seen in Canada as well.  These overseas tensions would spill over and result in the creation of the Free Church in Canada in several different colonies across Canada including PEI, Nova Scotia, and what is now Ontario.  It would be out of this division that Knox College would be created. An early issue the Free Church faced was how to educate its clergy in a professional manner, and the answer to this question was the establishment of Knox College on November, 8, 1844.