Spencer’s Island Union Church
Title
Spencer’s Island Union Church
Church Name
Spencer’s Island Union Church
Church Association
N/A
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Cumberland County
Address
152 Spencer’s Island Rd, Diligent River
Status
Inactive
Date
Built 1882
Historical Information
Founded in 1882, this church was closed (by the United Church of Canada) in 2002, although funerals continued to be held there.
In 1881, Jacob Spicer and his wife, Mary, donated the land on which this church was built. Donations came from New York, which was the home port for Spencer’s Island boats at the time, according to the history written by Spencer’s Island United Church Women, Spencer's Island Union Church, 1882-1992. In 1895, at a meeting to discuss the cost of building a tower, the suggestion was made that while the church was “torn apart”, the seating should be upgraded. The cost of the tower was $175. From the 18 people attending that meeting, pledges totalling $176 were made.
The building served Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and Anglicans (Methodist lay preachers were active in the area from 1839 onwards). After church union in 1925 (when some Presbyterian congregations, all Methodists and Congregationalists formed the United Church of Canada), the Baptist and United Church ministers officiated alternately; the Anglican clergy preached on the fifth Sunday. The history written by Spencer’s Island United Church Women states that adherents of all denominations
attended the services.
Information from Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and Cumberland Museum Society
In 1881, Jacob Spicer and his wife, Mary, donated the land on which this church was built. Donations came from New York, which was the home port for Spencer’s Island boats at the time, according to the history written by Spencer’s Island United Church Women, Spencer's Island Union Church, 1882-1992. In 1895, at a meeting to discuss the cost of building a tower, the suggestion was made that while the church was “torn apart”, the seating should be upgraded. The cost of the tower was $175. From the 18 people attending that meeting, pledges totalling $176 were made.
The building served Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and Anglicans (Methodist lay preachers were active in the area from 1839 onwards). After church union in 1925 (when some Presbyterian congregations, all Methodists and Congregationalists formed the United Church of Canada), the Baptist and United Church ministers officiated alternately; the Anglican clergy preached on the fifth Sunday. The history written by Spencer’s Island United Church Women states that adherents of all denominations
attended the services.
Information from Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and Cumberland Museum Society
Files
Collection
Citation
“Spencer’s Island Union Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 20, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/176.