Sunnyville United Baptist Church

The formation of the Sunnyville United Baptist Church was due to the following events:

The vice-moderator of the Uplift Club of Guysborough was sent to Guysborough to look into the matter of organizing a new church. Rev. W. N. States, after calling a meeting of all interested, organized the Morning Star African United Church on May 12, 1919. Lic. W.B. Thomas was sent to conduct a series of revivals and his efforts bore fruit; 25 members came forward and on June 29th, 1919, 16 were baptized by Rev. States. The Morning Star Church then had a membership of 30. The church’s name has since been changed to Sunnyville United Baptist Church.

This church is a prime example of an architectural shift among Baptists in Atlantic Canada. This church was constructed in an unsymmetrical design, with the steeple and main entrance positioned on the side of the structure. Prior to this shift in architectural style, the steeple was often positioned centrally on the gable end in a symmetrical design. One of the most striking features of this structure is the catty-corned tower, located on the right front corner of the building. On the gable end there are three Gothic Revival windows beside each other. Near the peak of the roof there is another Gothic revival window. The steeple cap is another striking feature of this structure and appears to contain a bell. Along each side of the structure are three more Gothic Revival windows.

Originally this church would have had wooden shingles on the roof and clad boards on the sides; now it has vinyl siding and asphalt shingles. With the installation of these materials some of the original architectural embellishments have been covered up.

This church is part of the African United Baptist Association.

Information proved by the church.