West End Baptist Church

West End Baptist Church

West End Baptist Church

Halifax Association

Nova Scotia

Halifax County

1986 Preston St, Halifax, NS

Active

Dedicated July 5, 1908

The West End Baptist Church traces its roots to a missionary vision in a private home on Chestnut Street in October 1885. A year later, in 1886, the Baptist congregation erected a building at the corner of Quinpool Road and Preston Street. In 1890, the Quinpool Road Baptist Church was organized with a membership of 31. A year later, the name was changed to West End Baptist Church. The Rev. Josiah Webb was the first pastor. In 1905, under the leadership of Rev. George A. Lawson, West End decided to move to the present site (2021) and erect a new building, opening the doors on November 5, 1905.

The Bible school of the congregation was growing at such a rate the church began building an extra wing in 1907 to meet its needs. It was a time of triumph that turned to tragedy when the building was destroyed by a great fire on the night of October 23, 1907. At a prayer meeting the night of the fire, Pastor Lawson provided inspiration of hope and courage amid calamity, encouraging the disheartened congregation to rise and rebuild at once. This they did, and the dedication of the new building was celebrated on July 5, 1908.

After the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917, space in the Vestry was rented on weekdays to the Halifax Ladies College, the Halifax Choral Society, the Halifax School Board, and other organizations. Because the Oxford Street School was used as a morgue, its classes met in the church basement. For those who wish to venture into the church attic, the remnant of a damaged window is a present-day reminder of the disaster.

Information provided by the church website.