Rockville United Baptist Church
Title
Rockville United Baptist Church
Church Name
Rockville United Baptist Church
Church Association
Yarmouth Association
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Yarmouth County
Address
1379 Chebogue Road, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Status
Active
Date
Built 1886
Historical Information
The Rockville United Baptist Church is valued for being the oldest place of worship in the community of Rockville; for its history as a Free Christian Baptist Church; and for its Greek Revival style architecture.
The Rockville United Baptist Church was constructed in 1843 about a kilometre south of its present location, on Chebogue Point Road. It was one of several Free Christian Baptist Churches organized by Rev. Charles Knowles between 1832 and 1843 and over which he exercised a
fatherly supervision until his death at Tusket in 1877. Most Free hristian Baptist churches became part of the United Baptist Convention of the Maritime Provinces when that body was formed in 1905-1906, later known as the United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces
after Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949. This church, as is true of many others, has retained "United Baptist" in its name although it is affiliated with the same group of Baptists now known as the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC).
In early May of 1886 this church was moved to a location more convenient to the congregation, onto the lot where the building now stands. The lot of land was owned at the time by James Killam, one of the wealthiest farmers and largest landholders in the Rockville and Chebogue area for many years. On December 31, 1887, Killam sold the lot to the church trustees for the sum of $29.00.
Over more recent years the congregation of this church has diminished significantly and for several years the building stood virtually unused, except for occasional special events. As with many other churches in small communities, it became financially difficult for its members to
maintain the building so the decision was made to clad it with vinyl siding in 1986. This is one of very few old community churches which still retains its steeple, which is the only part of the exterior which is still clad with shingles.
The Greek Revival architecture of the Rockville United Baptist Church is exemplified by its wood construction, steeply pitched gable roof, front pediment broken by the centred projecting tower and steeple and its symmetrical facade.
Information and photos from Canada Historic Places website.
The Rockville United Baptist Church was constructed in 1843 about a kilometre south of its present location, on Chebogue Point Road. It was one of several Free Christian Baptist Churches organized by Rev. Charles Knowles between 1832 and 1843 and over which he exercised a
fatherly supervision until his death at Tusket in 1877. Most Free hristian Baptist churches became part of the United Baptist Convention of the Maritime Provinces when that body was formed in 1905-1906, later known as the United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces
after Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949. This church, as is true of many others, has retained "United Baptist" in its name although it is affiliated with the same group of Baptists now known as the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC).
In early May of 1886 this church was moved to a location more convenient to the congregation, onto the lot where the building now stands. The lot of land was owned at the time by James Killam, one of the wealthiest farmers and largest landholders in the Rockville and Chebogue area for many years. On December 31, 1887, Killam sold the lot to the church trustees for the sum of $29.00.
Over more recent years the congregation of this church has diminished significantly and for several years the building stood virtually unused, except for occasional special events. As with many other churches in small communities, it became financially difficult for its members to
maintain the building so the decision was made to clad it with vinyl siding in 1986. This is one of very few old community churches which still retains its steeple, which is the only part of the exterior which is still clad with shingles.
The Greek Revival architecture of the Rockville United Baptist Church is exemplified by its wood construction, steeply pitched gable roof, front pediment broken by the centred projecting tower and steeple and its symmetrical facade.
Information and photos from Canada Historic Places website.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Rockville United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 26, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/188.