Penniac Baptist Church

Constructed in 1862, this Baptist church has remained relatively unaltered since its construction. This church was built in the Meeting House style, a common style among Protestant congregations 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, as is the case with this church building.

The church has hints of Gothic Revival architecture, evident through the use of Gothic Revival windows and the hooded eyebrow mouldings, such as that found near the peak on the gable end of the structure. The front façade on the gable end is broken into three bays, with a centrally placed, one storey entranceway in the center. The building also features corner pilaster boards, resembling pillars. The structure has maintained many of its original architecturally significant features since its inception.

The structure has sat on its current site on the River Road since its construction in the 1860’s, but fell into poor condition after services stopped in the 1990’s. It was set to be demolished until the Friends of the Penniac Baptist Church and Cemetery Inc. stepped in and took over ownership of the building from the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada in the 2010’s. This church building has since been restored and is in the process of receiving a local heritage designation.

Information proved by Friends of the Penniac Baptist Church and Cemetery Inc.