Hebron Memorial Baptist Church; formerly the Second Baptist Church of Yarmouth
Title
Hebron Memorial Baptist Church; formerly the Second Baptist Church of Yarmouth
Church Name
Hebron Memorial Baptist Church; formerly the Second Baptist Church of Yarmouth
Church Association
Yarmouth Association
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Yarmouth County
Address
21 Hillside Dr, Hebron, NS
Status
Active
Date
Originally Built 1837; 1937; Current Building built 200
Historical Information
The formation of the Hebron Baptist Church took place in April 1837. On April 1 of that year, 137 members of the first Baptist congregation in Yarmouth, Zion Baptist Church, applied for dismissal from that church to organize a separate church in Hebron, which was the largest of the neighbouring villages. The dismissal was granted and on April 15 at the Hebron Baptist Meeting House, the Second Baptist Church (as it was called at that time) was duly organized and on June 26, 1837, by unanimous vote, was received into the Nova Scotia Baptist Association, which met in Yarmouth on that date. The first pastor of the new church was Elder Harris Harding who at the time was also the pastor of the ‘mother church.’ He continued to pastor the church (along with assistants) until his death in 1854 at the age of 92. The original Hebron Meeting House was in the meeting house style of church, which is 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. This meeting house burned and was later replaced in the following months with a church in 1937. The first location of the Hebron Baptist Church is now the site of the Masonic Hall (2021).
The church built in 1937, was a rather plain building that had hints of carpenter Gothic Revival architecture. This is uncommon for its time, as many churches were being designed in classical designs. This church shows a shift that the Baptists were making from the usual symmetrical design to one that was asymmetrical, with the steeple being placed on the side of the structure rather than being centrally placed on the gable end. Centrally placed on the gable end, however, is a large arched gothic revival window, with smaller versions of this design found on three sides of the steeple and four along each side of the church. The main door of the church was located on the interior side of the steeple, on the lower level, with interior stairs inside to access to the sanctuary on the upper level. The roof had medium to steep pitch and was covered in asphalt shingles. This building suffered damage to fire in the late twentieth century, around 1971. The church built in 1937 is now owned by the Masonic Lodge and still stands (2021).In 2000, the Hebron Baptist Church congregation built a new church home at 21 Hillside Drive in Hebron. Along with the erection of a building for worship and ministry, the church also constructed a community playground on the church property for the enjoyment of young and old. This building is much different from the preceding Baptist churches in the area, and it marks a shift Baptist churches in the twenty-first century are making from having a building that is just a sanctuary to one that has recreational space, a kitchen, classrooms, and office space, to serve the congregation and community throughout the week and not just for Sunday services.
This building is rather longer and wider than it is tall. It has a low pitch roof, covered in asphalt shingles. The windows are rectangular in shape and are made of white vinyl. A unique feature of the building is that it is covered in natural coloured brick, not found on other Baptist churches in the region. This building makes the shape of an “I”, and on the front façade has “Hebron Baptist Church” written in white letters. The interior of the building is rather plain, and lacks architectural detailing and embellishments, common amongst churches built in this era. Some artifacts have been brought from the original building to this one, such as the original pastor’s chair and deacons’ chairs. Entry through the main doors, which are sheltered by a roofed vehicle drive-through level with the parking area, enables people to enter a reception area that gives access to offices, washrooms, and coat hanging area; to the left is the multipurpose sanctuary; to the right is the long kitchen and beyond that a sizable assembly-recreation area. There is access via stairs to the basement classrooms.
Information provided by the church.
The church built in 1937, was a rather plain building that had hints of carpenter Gothic Revival architecture. This is uncommon for its time, as many churches were being designed in classical designs. This church shows a shift that the Baptists were making from the usual symmetrical design to one that was asymmetrical, with the steeple being placed on the side of the structure rather than being centrally placed on the gable end. Centrally placed on the gable end, however, is a large arched gothic revival window, with smaller versions of this design found on three sides of the steeple and four along each side of the church. The main door of the church was located on the interior side of the steeple, on the lower level, with interior stairs inside to access to the sanctuary on the upper level. The roof had medium to steep pitch and was covered in asphalt shingles. This building suffered damage to fire in the late twentieth century, around 1971. The church built in 1937 is now owned by the Masonic Lodge and still stands (2021).In 2000, the Hebron Baptist Church congregation built a new church home at 21 Hillside Drive in Hebron. Along with the erection of a building for worship and ministry, the church also constructed a community playground on the church property for the enjoyment of young and old. This building is much different from the preceding Baptist churches in the area, and it marks a shift Baptist churches in the twenty-first century are making from having a building that is just a sanctuary to one that has recreational space, a kitchen, classrooms, and office space, to serve the congregation and community throughout the week and not just for Sunday services.
This building is rather longer and wider than it is tall. It has a low pitch roof, covered in asphalt shingles. The windows are rectangular in shape and are made of white vinyl. A unique feature of the building is that it is covered in natural coloured brick, not found on other Baptist churches in the region. This building makes the shape of an “I”, and on the front façade has “Hebron Baptist Church” written in white letters. The interior of the building is rather plain, and lacks architectural detailing and embellishments, common amongst churches built in this era. Some artifacts have been brought from the original building to this one, such as the original pastor’s chair and deacons’ chairs. Entry through the main doors, which are sheltered by a roofed vehicle drive-through level with the parking area, enables people to enter a reception area that gives access to offices, washrooms, and coat hanging area; to the left is the multipurpose sanctuary; to the right is the long kitchen and beyond that a sizable assembly-recreation area. There is access via stairs to the basement classrooms.
Information provided by the church.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Hebron Memorial Baptist Church; formerly the Second Baptist Church of Yarmouth,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 29, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/306.