Argyle Historic Baptist Church

Title

Argyle Historic Baptist Church

Church Name

Argyle Historic Baptist Church

Church Association

N/A

Province

Nova Scotia

County

Yarmouth County

Address

19 Argyle Head Road, Argyle, Nova Scotia

Status

Inactive

Date

Built between 1877 - 1887

Historical Information

The Argyle Historic Baptist Church and Cemetery are located on a hill easily viewed from Highway 103 at Frost Corner, Argyle, on the south shore of Nova Scotia. The present church was the third church built on this site, and was built between 1877 and 1887. The cemetery was established in 1776 and was used until 1891. The church since 2008 has been registered as a Provincial Heritage Property in Nova Scotia.

The Argyle Historic Baptist Church and Cemetery is valued for its association with the settlement of New England Planters in Argyle Township; as one of the earliest cemeteries in the area; and for its association with Reverend John Frost.

The history of this congregation goes back to the settlement of the Argyle area by New England Planters in the 1760s. Although the date is unknown, a Congregationalist Meeting House was erected on this site soon after initial settlement; most likely under the direction of Reverend John Frost, the first Protestant minister ordained in what is now Canada. Frost, as well as the evangelist Henry Alline, preached in this meeting house.

Frost served the congregation until his death and is buried in the adjoining cemetery. In 1782, Henry Alline's preaching resulted in the formation of three "Gospel Churches" on the south shore, one of which was at Argyle, which was the first Protestant church established in Argyle.

In 1806, a second "great awakening" swept western Nova Scotia; the Reverend Enoch Towner's preaching brought it to Argyle and he formed a Baptist church with 150 members. As a result, a new building was erected on the same site. This structure burned in 1865 and the present church, built on the same site, was opened for worship in 1877; however, construction was not completed until 1887. It remained in use until 1975. In 1985, the Glenwood and Argyle Women's Institute undertook restoration and maintenance of the Argyle Historical Baptist Church as the oldest surviving Protestant Church in Argyle.

The adjoining cemetery was established in the 1760s and was used until 1891, when a new cemetery was started nearby. The church building is no longer used for religious services; however, it is open to the public during the summer months for tours.

Greek Revival in style, the Argyle Historic Baptist Church was designed by Yarmouth County architect, James Kinney. It was constructed on the front gable or temple plan, with a steeply pitched gable roof. The front tower has a central double door and long curved Gothic Revival style windows. The decorative Classical corner-boards are designed to resemble twin pillars extending up to the cornice. Originally there was a large spire that was used by fishermen as a navigational landmark. It was removed in the 1930s and replaced by the present tower.

Information provided by Historic Places Canada.

Files

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Citation

“Argyle Historic Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed March 29, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/373.

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