Birchy Head United Baptist Church, formerly Mill Cove United Baptist Church
Title
Birchy Head United Baptist Church, formerly Mill Cove United Baptist Church
Creator
Avery Jackson
Source
Information provided by Acadia Archives - Churches by the Sea, August 24, 1974.
Church Name
Birchy Head United Baptist Church, formerly Mill Cove United Baptist Church
Church Association
Halifax Association
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Halifax County
Address
1532 Hwy 329, Birchy Head, NS
Status
Alternative use
Date
Originally built 1890, current building 1972
Historical Information
In 1890 a Baptist church was constructed in Mill Cove, within the bounds of the former St. Margarets Bay Second Pastorate. This building was constructed on the shore-side on land given by Mrs. Dan Shatford. It was constructed in the Meeting House style, this style is characterized by being a 1 ½ wood-frame construction, with either one or two entranceways located on the gable end. One can tell a lot about the beliefs of a congregation by examining their architecture, often when there are two doors, one located on each side of the front facade, it often refers to one door being used by the men, and the other for the women. With this style, things often occur in sets of three, such as the three Gothic Revival windows located on each side, symbolizing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. On September 5, 1971, this building was destroyed by fire.
Land for a new building was given a few miles down the road from the site of the first church, by Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Boutilier, in Birchy Cove. The construction of this new facility was completed on August 20, 1972.
This building is somewhat unlike other churches built during its time. Unlike other churches built in the later half of the twentieth century that adopted a modernist design, often with large windows and a split entry, this church resembles a structure often typical of the mid-to-late nineteenth century. This church facility appears to have been constructed in the gothic revival style, evident in the use of gothic revival windows throughout the building's exterior. The building is a 1 ½ wood frame construction, with a centrally placed, three-tiered tower on the gable end. The building has three gothic windows on each of the eave-sides, and two on the gable end. The building sits on a poured concrete foundation, which hosts a recreational space and kitchen. Little has changed with this building since its construction (2023), and appears to still maintain much of its original architectural features. One of the most striking features on this building's exterior would have to be the three-tiered tower, the first tier hosting the doorway and semi-circular window above the door, the second having three small gothic windows, and the third hosting a place for a bell.
Information provided by M. Allen Gibson, Churches by the Sea, Chronicle Herald, August 24, 1974.
Land for a new building was given a few miles down the road from the site of the first church, by Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Boutilier, in Birchy Cove. The construction of this new facility was completed on August 20, 1972.
This building is somewhat unlike other churches built during its time. Unlike other churches built in the later half of the twentieth century that adopted a modernist design, often with large windows and a split entry, this church resembles a structure often typical of the mid-to-late nineteenth century. This church facility appears to have been constructed in the gothic revival style, evident in the use of gothic revival windows throughout the building's exterior. The building is a 1 ½ wood frame construction, with a centrally placed, three-tiered tower on the gable end. The building has three gothic windows on each of the eave-sides, and two on the gable end. The building sits on a poured concrete foundation, which hosts a recreational space and kitchen. Little has changed with this building since its construction (2023), and appears to still maintain much of its original architectural features. One of the most striking features on this building's exterior would have to be the three-tiered tower, the first tier hosting the doorway and semi-circular window above the door, the second having three small gothic windows, and the third hosting a place for a bell.
Information provided by M. Allen Gibson, Churches by the Sea, Chronicle Herald, August 24, 1974.
Files
Collection
Citation
Avery Jackson, “Birchy Head United Baptist Church, formerly Mill Cove United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 28, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/435.