Trials for ordination were then set for July 30, I862, when Falconer was examined in Greek, Hebrew, Church History and Theology. On August I4th, Presbytery met at Queen Square Church and the proclamation was then made three times from the Church door "in the usual terms", and no objections being offered, Mr. Falconer was then ordained to the office of the Holy Ministry in prayer and the laying on of hands, in his first charge, at Queen Square Church. The Presbytery members present at the ordination were: Revs. Alexander Munro (Valleyfield), James Allan (Cove Head & West St. Peters), l-Ienry Crawford(East St. Peters), George Sutherland(Free Church), and William Mutch ruling elder ofthe congregation. This ordination of Falconer was the first and only time in the history of Zion church that a minister was ordained to serve at this church. (subsequent ministers, being already ordained, and were then inducted) Alex was chosen Clerk of Presbytery in I866 after the resignation of George Sutherland of the Free Church.

On November I4, I865, he married Susan Cutles Douglas, daughter of the late Rev. Robert Douglas and Hannah Blanchard Douglas. The brides father, like Alex, was educated at New College, Edinburgh Scotland. The marriage produced three children, Robert Alexander, born Feb I0, I867, James William (baptised at Queen Square Church Feb l4, I869), and Jean. Robert went on to become Sir Robert Falconer, world traveller, president of Pine Hill College Halifax I904 to I907, president ofthe University of Toronto from I907 to I932 and knighted by King George V in I9 I 7. Robert was a strong supporter of church union leading up to I925 vote(he pointed to the narrow range of doctrinal differences separating the evangelical churches). Both Alexs' sons Robert and James became Ordained ministers in the Presbyterian Church. -

In 1868 Alexander Falconer built a house at l67 Sydney Street, directly behind Queen Square Church. But by September 27, I969, he had preached his last sermon at Queen Square Church. On October Ist, Rev William Frame preached the sermon declaring the pulpit vacant.

The new congregation in Dartmouth, still without a settled pastor extended two calls which were declined, before they called Alexander Falconer. On October 2I, I969, Mr. Falconer was inducted with Rev. J. M. MacLeod addressing the people (later minister of Zion). Mr. Falconer was the first regularly settled pastor to give his whole time to the congregation, and they set about to erect a new church on land purchased two years earlier. The church opened last Sunday of January I87 I. From the time of his induction to his leaving in I876 the number of communicants increased from 83 to I44.

In the I870's Alex was a member of a Halifax study group that met regularly to discuss current ideas. Members included John Forrest (interim moderator at St. James, Dartmouth at the time of Falconer's call). later president of Dalhousie University and Moderator of the General Assembly in I9I0, and Allan McKnight principal of Pine Hill Theological

.75.