Free Baptist Church
Title
Free Baptist Church
Church Name
Free Baptist Church
Church Association
Northwestern Association
Province
New Brunswick
County
Carleton
Address
Main St, Hartland
Status
Demolished
Date
Built 1871 - 1875
Historical Information
The Free Baptist Church was the first church to be constructed in Hartland, and the congregation was first organized in 1843. For the years prior to this church being constructed the members of the congregation met at various parishioners’ homes. The construction of this Baptist place of worship took so long because some difficulties that arose; members withdrew and formed other Christian denominations.
On Christmas Day 1875 this church was dedicated, and was said by locals in the area to be a dominating edifice on the lower end of Main St in Hartland.
The Free Christian Baptist Church at Hartland (then called The Mouth of the Guimac), as it was called when they first formed in 1843 was under the guidance and leadership of Rev. G. W. Orser, who was pastor for over 30 years.
This church was known as the Free Baptist Church, until its union in 1905 with the First Baptist Church (Calvinist Church) creating the United Baptist Church of Hartland.
Soon after this union there were very few activities held at this church and little need for both properties. In 1915 this building was sold to Scott Sipprelle who made the structure into an apartment with a blacksmith shop and garage on street level (believed to be the first car garage in Hartland). Five years later, in 1920, the building was again sold, to a man named Elisha Shaw who turned the building into a furniture store. The building passed through many different owners until it was sold to the N. B. Seed Growers CO-OP who decided to demolish the structure on August 6th, 1973. Photos and videos were taken during the building’s demolition as each section was cut and hauled away.
Architecturally this building was said to have been built without nails and was made from 10” x 10” wooden hand-hewn beams, held together with wooden pegs. The building is Greek Revival in style with its front gable roof and return eaves with large double hung windows. The building has a three-bay façade with a centrally placed square belltower with a flat roof, spires on each corner and decorative wooden trim boards on the top. It is unique that this church originally did not appear to have windows in the front of the building on except for on the bell tower. Windows on each side of bell tower appear to have been added later.
On Christmas Day 1875 this church was dedicated, and was said by locals in the area to be a dominating edifice on the lower end of Main St in Hartland.
The Free Christian Baptist Church at Hartland (then called The Mouth of the Guimac), as it was called when they first formed in 1843 was under the guidance and leadership of Rev. G. W. Orser, who was pastor for over 30 years.
This church was known as the Free Baptist Church, until its union in 1905 with the First Baptist Church (Calvinist Church) creating the United Baptist Church of Hartland.
Soon after this union there were very few activities held at this church and little need for both properties. In 1915 this building was sold to Scott Sipprelle who made the structure into an apartment with a blacksmith shop and garage on street level (believed to be the first car garage in Hartland). Five years later, in 1920, the building was again sold, to a man named Elisha Shaw who turned the building into a furniture store. The building passed through many different owners until it was sold to the N. B. Seed Growers CO-OP who decided to demolish the structure on August 6th, 1973. Photos and videos were taken during the building’s demolition as each section was cut and hauled away.
Architecturally this building was said to have been built without nails and was made from 10” x 10” wooden hand-hewn beams, held together with wooden pegs. The building is Greek Revival in style with its front gable roof and return eaves with large double hung windows. The building has a three-bay façade with a centrally placed square belltower with a flat roof, spires on each corner and decorative wooden trim boards on the top. It is unique that this church originally did not appear to have windows in the front of the building on except for on the bell tower. Windows on each side of bell tower appear to have been added later.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Free Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 24, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/158.