Wicklow Baptist Church

In 1885, Seth Milberry donated land to build a church on this site; in 1906 a building was dedicated on the site. On October 20, 1906, the church was organized as the Wicklow United Baptist Church by Rev. L.A. Fenwick & Rev. Charles Sterling. It is unknown what happened between 1906 and 1920; however, interest in the church appeared to have diminished and the building’s fate was uncertain. On August 12, 1920, the church, with renewed interest, reopened following extensive repairs ($1,544.00).

Currently the church resembles those built in the Meeting House style, a common style among Baptists in early to mid-nineteenth century Atlantic Canada. This style is often characterized by its small and rather plain facility, with no steeple, and gothic embellishments. The front entrance was often on the gable end, with either two entrances, one on the left and right sides of the front façade, one meant for the men and the other for women; or a centrally placed doorway. In this case there are two doorways, giving a hint to the type of mindset the original congregation had.

Originally this church has a large steeple situated on the left side of the front façade. It is likely that this was removed during the extensive repairs around 1920. The steeple and the rest of the building were constructed in the Gothic Revival style, which was common for Baptist churches of its time. The steeple appears to have originally had an open-cage belfry situated just below the spire and would have contained a bell. The main entrance was originally located on the front side of the steeple, and with its removal the doors were repositioned the middle of the front façade. In 2018 a one-level addition was constructed on the front of the building, as well as a side doorway, near the corner of the front façade. When the church had this addition constructed, it once again altered the look and the front façade of the church.

Information provided by the church.