The Crossing - Gander, formerly Gander United Baptist Church
Title
The Crossing - Gander, formerly Gander United Baptist Church
Creator
Avery Jackson
Source
The Crossing - Gander site
Church Name
The Crossing - Gander, formerly Gander United Baptist Church
Church Association
Newfoundland & Labrador Association
Province
Newfoundland & Labrador
County
Newfoundland & Labrador
Address
58 Elizabeth Drive Gander, NL
Status
Active
Date
Built circa 1969
Historical Information
In the early to middle 1960s the vision for a Baptist church in Gander was supported in no small part by Rev. Freeman Fenerty, the Pastor of First Baptist Church, John’s NL, who traveled by the then incomplete Trans-Canada Highway to Gander each week. Pastor Fenerty drove by car on the new gravel highway to meet with a small but faithful group of people, meeting in the Orange Lodge. In the late 1960s, with the support of the Atlantic Baptist Home Mission Board, a church parsonage was built and the cornerstone for the new church building was laid in 1969. Rev. Bloyce Crawford was inducted as the first pastor soon after. This church served the community of Gander for the next 50 years.
The Crossing Church - Gander, is typical for its time in terms of size and style. It is built in the mid-century-modern style, with a centrally placed doorway on the front facade. Like other churches of this time, the closer one gets to the peak of the roof the more overhang there is. Close to this peak, there is a large four-paned window. The front doorway is indented into the main structure, and has large rectangular windows on either side of the doors. An interesting feature of this building is that the eave-side walls are slightly indented inwards towards the eaves. There is a row of windows hidden underneath the eaves of the building. Another striking feature of this build is the saddleback steeple, set above the front entrance of the structure.
The congregation once had a parsonage, but has since sold it to fund renovations to the church facility. The church has also sold its original wooden pews, and opted to use individual moveable cushioned chairs. Once you come in the front door you enter the foyer, with a large area to hang coats and a bathroom on the left. On the right, there is a coffee nook, and a set of stairs going to the recreational space, kitchen, and children rooms downstairs.
The main sanctuary space has been completely renovated from when the building was built, but still maintains many of its original character-defining elements. A striking feature of the interior is the copper baptismal font. Behind the sanctuary is an office for the pastor, and various storage areas. The building sits on a poured concrete foundation, with a row of windows on either side.
This church’s fate was uncertain in the early 2000’s. Members of the congregation spoke with the Crossing Church - St John’s, and decided to amalgamate, saving this building's use as a church.
Information from The Crossing Church - Gander Site.
The Crossing Church - Gander, is typical for its time in terms of size and style. It is built in the mid-century-modern style, with a centrally placed doorway on the front facade. Like other churches of this time, the closer one gets to the peak of the roof the more overhang there is. Close to this peak, there is a large four-paned window. The front doorway is indented into the main structure, and has large rectangular windows on either side of the doors. An interesting feature of this building is that the eave-side walls are slightly indented inwards towards the eaves. There is a row of windows hidden underneath the eaves of the building. Another striking feature of this build is the saddleback steeple, set above the front entrance of the structure.
The congregation once had a parsonage, but has since sold it to fund renovations to the church facility. The church has also sold its original wooden pews, and opted to use individual moveable cushioned chairs. Once you come in the front door you enter the foyer, with a large area to hang coats and a bathroom on the left. On the right, there is a coffee nook, and a set of stairs going to the recreational space, kitchen, and children rooms downstairs.
The main sanctuary space has been completely renovated from when the building was built, but still maintains many of its original character-defining elements. A striking feature of the interior is the copper baptismal font. Behind the sanctuary is an office for the pastor, and various storage areas. The building sits on a poured concrete foundation, with a row of windows on either side.
This church’s fate was uncertain in the early 2000’s. Members of the congregation spoke with the Crossing Church - St John’s, and decided to amalgamate, saving this building's use as a church.
Information from The Crossing Church - Gander Site.
Files
Collection
Citation
Avery Jackson, “The Crossing - Gander, formerly Gander United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed May 2, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/422.