Goat Island Baptist Church

Goat Island Baptist Church

Goat Island Baptist Church

Annapolis- Digby

Nova Scotia

Annapolis

2340 Highway 1, Upper Clements, NS

Alternative Use

Constructed 1811

Around 1810, as a result of the revival that took place, spiritual excitement spread rapidly in the Upper Clements area, causing hundreds to be baptised and churches in the Township of Clements to be established, including the Upper Clements Church included members from Clementsport, Clementsvale, Centrevale, and Bear River. Over time three different churches have been known as Goat Island Baptist Church: Port Royal, the church on Goat Island, and the structure in Upper Clements. Commonly, when referring to Goat Island Baptist Church, many consider it to be the church that was erected in Upper Clements. Although not for certain, oral tradition suggests that this Goat Island Baptist Church was built in 1811. The first ordained pastor was the Rev. Edmund J. Reis, who was later succeeded by Rev. David Harris. Israel Potter was accepted as the Associate Pastor under Rev. Harris, and later pastored the church from 1825 to his death in 1847. Goat Island Baptist Church is an official heritage site and is commonly referred to as the oldest standing Baptist Church in Canada with the first official deed dated in 1849. This deed remained in effect until 1919 when ownership changed to the Clementsport Baptist Church, and in 2019 ownership was transferred to the Goat Island Historical Society.