Margaree Valley Baptist Church
Title
Margaree Valley Baptist Church
Church Name
Margaree Valley Baptist Church
Church Association
N/A
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Inverness County
Address
924 E Big Intervale Rd, Margaree Valley, NS
Status
Active
Date
Built 1903
Historical Information
The Congregational Church was the first Protestant church in Margaree Valley and from the members of this congregation came those who formed the beginnings of the Baptist Church. The changes in doctrine and practice were largely brought about by the preaching of visiting missionaries.
As early as 1821, Elder John Hull visited Margaree and was perhaps the first minister who instilled strictly Baptist principles in the people. In April of 1835 Rev. William Burton, pastor in Yarmouth, NS, held a service in the home of John Louis Ingraham, where the organization of the Baptist church took place. There were five families represented in this meeting. Two years later, the first house for divine worship was erected. It was situated on the west side of the Margaree River on an acre of land that had been purchased from a Mr. Thomas Etheridge. This spot is where some of the first members of that early Baptist church were buried. In the year 1862, the church constructed a building on a new site located on the east side of the Margaree River, where the present Margaree Baptist Church is located.
In 1903 the church began to raise funds for a new church building which was constructed and finished by the end of the same year. They held a dedication service for the new building on May 15th, 1904. At this service, instructions were given for the ringing of the bell, as this was the first time that a bell was used in the Valley as a call to worship. The bell had been installed the previous December; at which time an auction had been held to determine who would have the privilege of ringing the bell for the first time. Bert Ingraham paid the handsome sum of $60 for the privilege.
In October 1904 the church, by a resolution, unanimously joined the Baptist convention. The church is still strong: Since 1910, it has started three other Cape Breton churches (in Baddeck, Cheticamp and Inverness) and in 2014, a private Christian school covering primary to grade twelve was established.
Information and photos provided by Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia.
As early as 1821, Elder John Hull visited Margaree and was perhaps the first minister who instilled strictly Baptist principles in the people. In April of 1835 Rev. William Burton, pastor in Yarmouth, NS, held a service in the home of John Louis Ingraham, where the organization of the Baptist church took place. There were five families represented in this meeting. Two years later, the first house for divine worship was erected. It was situated on the west side of the Margaree River on an acre of land that had been purchased from a Mr. Thomas Etheridge. This spot is where some of the first members of that early Baptist church were buried. In the year 1862, the church constructed a building on a new site located on the east side of the Margaree River, where the present Margaree Baptist Church is located.
In 1903 the church began to raise funds for a new church building which was constructed and finished by the end of the same year. They held a dedication service for the new building on May 15th, 1904. At this service, instructions were given for the ringing of the bell, as this was the first time that a bell was used in the Valley as a call to worship. The bell had been installed the previous December; at which time an auction had been held to determine who would have the privilege of ringing the bell for the first time. Bert Ingraham paid the handsome sum of $60 for the privilege.
In October 1904 the church, by a resolution, unanimously joined the Baptist convention. The church is still strong: Since 1910, it has started three other Cape Breton churches (in Baddeck, Cheticamp and Inverness) and in 2014, a private Christian school covering primary to grade twelve was established.
Information and photos provided by Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Margaree Valley Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 30, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/207.