Old Meeting House
Title
Old Meeting House
Church Name
Old Meeting House
Church Association
N/A
Province
New Brunswick
County
Northumberland County
Address
405 Main Street, Doaktown, New Brunswick
Status
Demolished
Date
Built circa 1854
Historical Information
Hiram Freeze was the area's justice of the peace and was postmaster here for three decades beginning in 1854, the same year 'Doaktown' was mapped here. In 1855, Freeze deeded this area of land which bordered his own residence to the trustees of the Baptist Chapel, stipulating that any Protestant Christian denomination may use the church if not in use and have the privilege of burying their dead here. In 1855, this land already housed a church and burial ground, locally known as the 'Meeting House,' which was used for such purposes.
In March 1865, A Historical Sketch as to the Origin and Growth of the Doaktown Baptist Church (1830-1965) notes the following: “ . . . an ecclesiastical council was called by the members of [the] Blackville, Blissfield and Ludlow churches to convene at Doaktown to consider the advisability of creating a new organization in that place. This Council met and decided to proceed with the organization. The following resolution was passed: Resolved that we approve of this organization and on behalf of the Churches we represent, we extend our fellowship to the Blissfield Baptist Church worshipping at Doaktown [emphasis added] as a regularly constituted church of the same denomination.” It is believed that Reverend William M. Edwards oversaw the establishment of the Baptist church at Doaktown.
This structure was in the Meeting House style, common for this time. Most likely, it was in the Greek revival style, and was a one storey wooden structure. Many churches in the Meeting House style have a medium pitched side gable roof, with either plain sash windows or Gothic Revival style, arched windows.
The Baptist Church, referred to as the ‘Old United Baptist Church’ is no longer standing and was demolished, destroyed, or moved in the twentieth century.
Information from Canada's Historic Places & Discover Doaktown – Town Timeline.
In March 1865, A Historical Sketch as to the Origin and Growth of the Doaktown Baptist Church (1830-1965) notes the following: “ . . . an ecclesiastical council was called by the members of [the] Blackville, Blissfield and Ludlow churches to convene at Doaktown to consider the advisability of creating a new organization in that place. This Council met and decided to proceed with the organization. The following resolution was passed: Resolved that we approve of this organization and on behalf of the Churches we represent, we extend our fellowship to the Blissfield Baptist Church worshipping at Doaktown [emphasis added] as a regularly constituted church of the same denomination.” It is believed that Reverend William M. Edwards oversaw the establishment of the Baptist church at Doaktown.
This structure was in the Meeting House style, common for this time. Most likely, it was in the Greek revival style, and was a one storey wooden structure. Many churches in the Meeting House style have a medium pitched side gable roof, with either plain sash windows or Gothic Revival style, arched windows.
The Baptist Church, referred to as the ‘Old United Baptist Church’ is no longer standing and was demolished, destroyed, or moved in the twentieth century.
Information from Canada's Historic Places & Discover Doaktown – Town Timeline.
Collection
Citation
“Old Meeting House,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 29, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/217.