Sturgeon United Baptist Church
Title
Sturgeon United Baptist Church
Church Name
Sturgeon United Baptist Church
Church Association
Prince Edward Island Association
Province
Prince Edward Island
County
Kings County
Address
258 Lower Montague Road, Montague, PEI
Status
Active
Date
Built circa 1886
Historical Information
The congregation of the Sturgeon Baptist Church was formed in 1886, soon after a church was constructed in the region to house the congregation. This building is very similar to the Murray River Baptist church, in terms of architectural style, size and shape. The style of this building is Gothic Revival influenced Meeting House. Proportion plays a big role in this style, and in such churches where the number three can be seen frequently. For instance, the front façade on the gable end is broken up into three bays, with the front entranceway in the center and a Gothic curved window on either side. There is also a three-bay façade and three gothic windows found on either side of the building. There is an entranceway centrally placed on the front of the church, with a medallion window above that. On either side of this entranceway is a gothic window the same size and shape as those found on the sides of the building.
The meeting house style of church was very common amongst early Baptist churches in Atlantic Canada. They are often characterized by their lack of architectural embellishments and steeple. They usually contain Gothic Revival windows, and any embellishments they do have are often Gothic, such as curved windows. This stylistic choice of building emphasizes proportion, and symmetry.
Over time there have been some alterations made to the building, such as the medallion window being replaced with a modern vinyl octagonal window, and the main gothic windows also appear to have been replaced with modern vinyl ones. The front steps originally had metal railing, which has recently been replaced with a wooden step and railing. Overall, the size and shape of the building has been relatively unchanged on the exterior, with some minor, modern changes. The roof, which would have originally had cedar shakes now has black asphalt shingles, and the door, which was originally wooden, is now made of steel. This building is in very good shape for its age, and over a century after its construction it is still used for its original purpose.
Historically this church once belonged to the Montague Pastorate, which also contained Montague Baptist Church and Murray River Baptist Church. This church has been supplied by ministers from the Murray River church for many years (2021), but there is no pastorate or union between these churches anymore.
Information provided by the church and Frank Sinnott, History of the Baptists of Prince Edward Island, 1974.
The meeting house style of church was very common amongst early Baptist churches in Atlantic Canada. They are often characterized by their lack of architectural embellishments and steeple. They usually contain Gothic Revival windows, and any embellishments they do have are often Gothic, such as curved windows. This stylistic choice of building emphasizes proportion, and symmetry.
Over time there have been some alterations made to the building, such as the medallion window being replaced with a modern vinyl octagonal window, and the main gothic windows also appear to have been replaced with modern vinyl ones. The front steps originally had metal railing, which has recently been replaced with a wooden step and railing. Overall, the size and shape of the building has been relatively unchanged on the exterior, with some minor, modern changes. The roof, which would have originally had cedar shakes now has black asphalt shingles, and the door, which was originally wooden, is now made of steel. This building is in very good shape for its age, and over a century after its construction it is still used for its original purpose.
Historically this church once belonged to the Montague Pastorate, which also contained Montague Baptist Church and Murray River Baptist Church. This church has been supplied by ministers from the Murray River church for many years (2021), but there is no pastorate or union between these churches anymore.
Information provided by the church and Frank Sinnott, History of the Baptists of Prince Edward Island, 1974.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Sturgeon United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 28, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/302.