Bishopville Baptist Church
Title
Bishopville Baptist Church
Church Name
Bishopville Baptist Church
Church Association
N/A
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Kings County
Address
1287 Bishopville Road RR1 Bishopville, Nova Scotia B0P1P
Status
Active
Date
Built 1903
Historical Information
In the heart of the vale is Bishopville, a little settlement where the Baptists built a church. On January 4, 1903, the place of worship, described at the time as “a credit to all who aided in its construction,” was dedicated. The occasion was marked by special services held in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The pastor at that time was Ritchie Elliott, a native of Paradise, Annapolis County, and a senior at Acadia University. Following his graduation, he served as a minister in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia until his death at Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, in 1923. Speaking at the opening of the new church, Mr. Elliott “expressed his pleasure that success had crowned the efforts of the Bishopville people in erecting the pleasant church in which they worshipped.”
The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. E. M. Kierstead, professor of English literature and moral philosophy at Acadia. He was one of the many in the university’s history, both from the student body and the faculty, whose interest extended beyond the campus and into the neighborhood. Another of the speakers that day was Rev. G. R. White, pastor of the Baptist church in nearby Hantsport.
In the evening of the Sunday of the church’s opening, the meeting was led by Rev. H. T. DeWolfe, then the principal of Acadia Seminary. The building was described by one observer in these words: ‘It will seat some 100 persons comfortably. The walls are sheathed and painted a cream color. The pews are comfortable, the aisles and pulpit platform nicely carpeted. Pulpit furniture and a nice chandelier’ contribute to the general appearance.” The inaugural services, although held in the winter, ‘‘were largely attended by people from Hantsport, Lockhartville and vicinity, many driving in teams and remaining all day, being entertained by the hospitable people of Bishopville.” At various times in its history the Bishopville church has related to different pastorates. In the 1940’s, it was served for a time from Greenfield. More recently, it has been associated with Scott’s Bay.
In September 1963, Rev. Gordon Gower came from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to commence a ministry at Hantsport. He began holding services at Bishopville and reports that ‘‘we plan to carry on for six months each year.” “In 1964 a new foundation was put under the building, and we hope to paint both interior and xterior in the not-too-distant future.”
One of Nova Scotia’s smaller places of worship, the Baptist church in Bishopville is, nevertheless, another of the rural churches which benefit the appearance of the countryside.
Fourth photo caption - A group of families stand in front of the old church all dressed up for a picnic – ca 1930
Information and photos courtesy of “Churches By The Sea” by M. Allen Gibson and Hantsport and area Historical Society.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. E. M. Kierstead, professor of English literature and moral philosophy at Acadia. He was one of the many in the university’s history, both from the student body and the faculty, whose interest extended beyond the campus and into the neighborhood. Another of the speakers that day was Rev. G. R. White, pastor of the Baptist church in nearby Hantsport.
In the evening of the Sunday of the church’s opening, the meeting was led by Rev. H. T. DeWolfe, then the principal of Acadia Seminary. The building was described by one observer in these words: ‘It will seat some 100 persons comfortably. The walls are sheathed and painted a cream color. The pews are comfortable, the aisles and pulpit platform nicely carpeted. Pulpit furniture and a nice chandelier’ contribute to the general appearance.” The inaugural services, although held in the winter, ‘‘were largely attended by people from Hantsport, Lockhartville and vicinity, many driving in teams and remaining all day, being entertained by the hospitable people of Bishopville.” At various times in its history the Bishopville church has related to different pastorates. In the 1940’s, it was served for a time from Greenfield. More recently, it has been associated with Scott’s Bay.
In September 1963, Rev. Gordon Gower came from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to commence a ministry at Hantsport. He began holding services at Bishopville and reports that ‘‘we plan to carry on for six months each year.” “In 1964 a new foundation was put under the building, and we hope to paint both interior and xterior in the not-too-distant future.”
One of Nova Scotia’s smaller places of worship, the Baptist church in Bishopville is, nevertheless, another of the rural churches which benefit the appearance of the countryside.
Fourth photo caption - A group of families stand in front of the old church all dressed up for a picnic – ca 1930
Information and photos courtesy of “Churches By The Sea” by M. Allen Gibson and Hantsport and area Historical Society.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Bishopville Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed May 2, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/232.