Sussex Baptist Church
Title
Church Association
Province
County
Address
Status
Date
Historical Information
The Sussex Baptist Church on Church Avenue was completed and dedicated in 1870. In 1882, a vestry was added, and in 1892 the church was remodelled, which included the addition of new pews and baptistry.
In 1898 a stone foundation was installed under the church building and the following items were purchased: a furnace, a bell from McShone Company in Baltimore, and a pipe organ. Additionally, a tower was constructed to house the new bell. In 1907 the vestry was relocated, a Sunday school room was built, and a stained-glass window was installed.
In 1905, following the Baptist union, it was decided that the Church Avenue Baptist Church and the Free Christian Baptist Church on Main Street (built in 1879) would be combined. The initial plan was for both churches to sell their buildings to make way for a brand-new church, but the arrival of World War I put these plans on hold. The two churches merged in 1916 at the Church Avenue location as the United Baptist Church of Sussex. The Main Street Church was sold and became Chalmers Presbyterian Church.
In 1957 the church gymnasium was panelled, extensive repairs were made to the church interior, and the exterior was painted. In 1967 the building was torn down to make way for a new church, which was dedicated in 1968 and still stands today. In 2011, the church was renamed Sussex Baptist Church.
Historical information courtesy of Wayne Vail