Rockland Drive United Baptist Church

The roots of this congregation can be traced back to the Union Church McAdam Village, which was constructed around 1890. This church is typical for its time in terms of style. Like many country Baptist churches in Atlantic Canada, it was designed and built by local trades- and craftspeople. These workers most likely did not have any formal training constructing churches, but instead learned through working. This church has hints of the Gothic Revival style and is built in a symmetrical design, which is a bit unusual for churches of this period. Many churches from this period are built with an unsymmetrical design and in the Akron Plan.

Some of the most striking features of this building include the three-bay façade, with a centrally placed steeple, on the gable end. This church has maintained many of its original interior features including its pews. These ornate stained-glass windows are also original to the structure, along with the bell in the belfry.  One of the most striking features on the interior of the church are the walls that are still covered in the original, stained, wood panelling.

In the 1980’s and ‘L’ was added to the right side of the structure, containing a fellowship hall, bathrooms, pastors’ office and two meeting rooms.

The first minister to serve the congregation was William Hatfield who never served in this structure. The first minister to serve the congregation in this structure was Rev. J. Gosline.

This church is now covered in vinyl siding, and black asphalt shingles on the roof, however, originally it was covered in white wooden clad boards.

Information provided by the church.