Gibson Woods United Baptist Church
Title
Gibson Woods United Baptist Church
Church Name
Gibson Woods United Baptist Church
Church Association
African United Baptist Church Association
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Kings County
Address
8368 Hwy 221 Gibson Woods, NS
Status
Active
Date
Built 1902
Historical Information
Gibson Woods was founded by George Gibson, a Black Loyalist. In 1802 or 1803, he paid £40
for 40 acres of land, an "enormous sum" for the time. The first church in this community was
positioned on lands that Gibson’s relative, John Gibson owned, in 1865. This structure known as
the ‘King’s Church’ was fifteen by eighteen feet, and only had backless seats for parishioners.
As this first church in Gibson Woods (King’s Church) fell into disrepair Rev. John Smith was the main
drive for the community to build the structure we see today (2021). This building began as a simple and
uncluttered one storey structure with an entrance on the gable end. There has since been an addition to
the front of the building containing historical information about the community. There has also been an
addition to the rear of the church, both added on after 1902.
The church opened in 1902 but by 1969 it was in disrepair. A decade later, the community rallied
to make the repairs necessary for it to re-open; more recently, it has received financial support to
allow it to fill an expanded role in telling the community’s stories. Gibson Woods is on the Black
Loyalist Heritage Society’s Destination Liberty trail and this building is a centre for information
about the local community.
Throughout the congregation’s life there has been a lot of time when they have been without a pastor, a
common occurrence for early country churches. Dedicated members from the congregation have been
known to lead parishioners in pray and worship.
n the past decade the church has undergone significant renovations as part of the educational
tourism destination project. A small museum space, which showcases historic community
photographs and artifacts, has been added to the front of the church.
Information from – Gibson Wood’s United Baptist Church historical display and Facebook page.
for 40 acres of land, an "enormous sum" for the time. The first church in this community was
positioned on lands that Gibson’s relative, John Gibson owned, in 1865. This structure known as
the ‘King’s Church’ was fifteen by eighteen feet, and only had backless seats for parishioners.
As this first church in Gibson Woods (King’s Church) fell into disrepair Rev. John Smith was the main
drive for the community to build the structure we see today (2021). This building began as a simple and
uncluttered one storey structure with an entrance on the gable end. There has since been an addition to
the front of the building containing historical information about the community. There has also been an
addition to the rear of the church, both added on after 1902.
The church opened in 1902 but by 1969 it was in disrepair. A decade later, the community rallied
to make the repairs necessary for it to re-open; more recently, it has received financial support to
allow it to fill an expanded role in telling the community’s stories. Gibson Woods is on the Black
Loyalist Heritage Society’s Destination Liberty trail and this building is a centre for information
about the local community.
Throughout the congregation’s life there has been a lot of time when they have been without a pastor, a
common occurrence for early country churches. Dedicated members from the congregation have been
known to lead parishioners in pray and worship.
n the past decade the church has undergone significant renovations as part of the educational
tourism destination project. A small museum space, which showcases historic community
photographs and artifacts, has been added to the front of the church.
Information from – Gibson Wood’s United Baptist Church historical display and Facebook page.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Gibson Woods United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 26, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/177.