Chegoggin Baptist Church, formerly West Yarmouth United Baptist Church
Title
Chegoggin Baptist Church, formerly West Yarmouth United Baptist Church
Church Name
Chegoggin Baptist Church, formerly West Yarmouth United Baptist Church
Church Association
N/A
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Yarmouth County
Address
46 Peterson Rd, Yarmouth, NS
Status
Active
Date
Built 1853
Historical Information
The Chegoggin Baptist Church, formerly known as the West Yarmouth United Baptist Church, was established in 1853, the same year they constructed the building that they continue to use (2021). The architectural style resembles that of the early meeting house style, with classical embellishments. The most eye-catching feature of the exterior of the building is the sheer size and shape of the structure. It is very long, and wide, with a medium pitched gable roof and low steeple.
Inside the church still includes many of its original features, including its original pews, finish boards, and interior architectural embellishments. The structure has three floors, including a basement level, sanctuary and third floor balcony. In 1989, the steeple was struck by lightning, ruining the original bell that still sits there (2021). The original name of the church was West Yarmouth United Baptist Church, and it shared pastors with Overton Baptist Church. In 2000, the decision to change the name was made because there was confusion with the church having ‘United’ in the name and not being part of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC). The new name is Chegoggin Baptist Church, a word which is Mi’kmaq in origin and the name these people have for the region, meaning “great encampment.”
A person of note who was part of the congregation here was Sara Corning, who was originally from the area . She was a nurse in the First World War and was stationed in Turkey. She joined a group that helped save over 100 children from a town that was under attack. She later received accreditation from the Greek King and the Queen of England. She is now buried behind the church, and in Toronto, Ontario, there is a Sara Corning Centre for Genocide Education.
The church is an offshoot of the Zion Baptist Church, Yarmouth, and itself has established other churches in the province from missionaries from their congregation, including Roseway Independent Baptist Church in Shelburne, and All Nations Baptist Church in Bedford.
Information provided by church.
Inside the church still includes many of its original features, including its original pews, finish boards, and interior architectural embellishments. The structure has three floors, including a basement level, sanctuary and third floor balcony. In 1989, the steeple was struck by lightning, ruining the original bell that still sits there (2021). The original name of the church was West Yarmouth United Baptist Church, and it shared pastors with Overton Baptist Church. In 2000, the decision to change the name was made because there was confusion with the church having ‘United’ in the name and not being part of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC). The new name is Chegoggin Baptist Church, a word which is Mi’kmaq in origin and the name these people have for the region, meaning “great encampment.”
A person of note who was part of the congregation here was Sara Corning, who was originally from the area . She was a nurse in the First World War and was stationed in Turkey. She joined a group that helped save over 100 children from a town that was under attack. She later received accreditation from the Greek King and the Queen of England. She is now buried behind the church, and in Toronto, Ontario, there is a Sara Corning Centre for Genocide Education.
The church is an offshoot of the Zion Baptist Church, Yarmouth, and itself has established other churches in the province from missionaries from their congregation, including Roseway Independent Baptist Church in Shelburne, and All Nations Baptist Church in Bedford.
Information provided by church.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Chegoggin Baptist Church, formerly West Yarmouth United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 29, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/262.