Corner Brook United Baptist Church, formerly the First United Baptist Church of Corner Brook

Corner Brook United Baptist Church, formerly the First United Baptist Church of Corner Brook

Avery Jackson

Corner Brook United Baptist Church

Corner Brook United Baptist Church, formerly the First United Baptist Church of Corner Brook

Newfoundland & Labrador Association

Newfoundland & Labrador

Newfoundland & Labrador

11 O’Connell Drive, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Active

Built 1960

The beginnings of the Corner Brook Baptist Church started about 1957. A few years following confederation with Canada in 1949, many working mainland professionals were making their way to Newfoundland. Some of these people could not find a church facility that suited them, so they started meeting in homes and eventually bought a house on Reid Street that served as a meeting place for a few years and eventually the parsonage building. This led to the construction of the Corner Brook Baptist Church in 1960. Under Rev. Gordon Gower, the current (2023) property was purchased on Ball Diversion, now named O’Connell Drive, from the Armory. The property contained a building known as the ‘Boy Scout Hut.’ This structure was used as a meeting place until a church could be built on this site. The sod of the church was broken in May 1960, and a dedication service was held later that year. Under Rev. Edison Wiltshire in 1976, the parsonage was sold and a new one constructed on 5 Jubilee Place, adjacent to the church.

This church is typical for its time in terms of size and style. It is built in the mid-century-modern style and features the front entrance, centrally placed on the front facade. There is a large roof overhang above the front door. On either side of the front door there is an ornate stained-glass window. Set up directly below the peak of the roof on the gable end is a large pointed window, typical of churches from this era. The roof line protrudes further from the walls of the building as you travel to the peak of the roof. On either side there are six vertical windows, made up of 5 blocks each. The original pews have been replaced by individual seating, making the sanctuary space more versatile. There is a small balcony above the front entranceway that houses the sound system. Underneath the building there is a large recreational space, kitchen, daycare, and office space.

Due to the size of the congregation there are current plans to add on to the right side of the structure.

Information provided by the Corner Brook Baptist Church.