Kiersteadville United Baptist Church, formerly Second Baptist Church of Springfield
Title
Kiersteadville United Baptist Church, formerly Second Baptist Church of Springfield
Creator
Avery Jackson
Source
Information provided by the Kiersteadville United Baptist Church
Church Name
Kiersteadville United Baptist Church, formerly Second Baptist Church of Springfield
Church Association
Saint John - Kings Association
Province
New Brunswick
County
Kings County
Address
1160 Route 850, Kiersteadville (Belleisle Bay)
Status
Active
Date
Built 1850, then 1859
Historical Information
Formerly known as the Second Baptist Church of Springfield, the Kiersteadville Baptist Church was formed in 1850, due to residents of this region not being able to access the First Baptist Church of Springfield during inclement weather.
It was decided in April of 1850 to erect a schoolhouse and meeting house. This building was quickly built, measured 20 feet by 24 feet, and was fitted with straight-back pews made from rough planks. It is said that before this facility could be finished, before the windows and doors were installed, the community eagerly began holding services here. The Meeting House 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, one door was used by the men, and the other by the women.
In 1902, the congregation along with the First Baptist Church of Springfield came together to construct a parsonage at Hatfield’s Point. In the 1930’s the church had electricity installed for the first time.
In 1977 the church was moved to where it currently sits (2023). A new cinder-block foundation was built underneath the church, along with new entrances into the building. In 1979 the basement was finished, along with a new kitchen and washroom area. In 1992 a foundation for a Sunday school room, which is attached to the church facility, was built.
While the building constructed in 1850 was used as both a school and a church, the present church (2023) appears to have been built in 1859 solely for religious services. It was also built in the Meeting House style, with Gothic Revival architectural embellishments. The church facility has clearly been added to over time, as the congregation grew, but it has managed to maintain many of its original features, including ornate gingerbread trim boards along the pitch of the roof on the gable end, and oversized gothic windows located on each of the eave sides. This church’s main entrance is centrally located on the gable end. On the left eave-side is a Sunday school addition.
In August 1905, the Norton and Midland Free Baptist Churches asked Kiersteadville and Long Point Churches to unite with them to form a pastorate. This union was dissolved upon mutual agreement in 1997. The three churches still maintain a good working relationship and on occasion join together for worship and fellowship.
Information provided by the Kiersteadville United Baptist Church
It was decided in April of 1850 to erect a schoolhouse and meeting house. This building was quickly built, measured 20 feet by 24 feet, and was fitted with straight-back pews made from rough planks. It is said that before this facility could be finished, before the windows and doors were installed, the community eagerly began holding services here. The Meeting House 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, one door was used by the men, and the other by the women.
In 1902, the congregation along with the First Baptist Church of Springfield came together to construct a parsonage at Hatfield’s Point. In the 1930’s the church had electricity installed for the first time.
In 1977 the church was moved to where it currently sits (2023). A new cinder-block foundation was built underneath the church, along with new entrances into the building. In 1979 the basement was finished, along with a new kitchen and washroom area. In 1992 a foundation for a Sunday school room, which is attached to the church facility, was built.
While the building constructed in 1850 was used as both a school and a church, the present church (2023) appears to have been built in 1859 solely for religious services. It was also built in the Meeting House style, with Gothic Revival architectural embellishments. The church facility has clearly been added to over time, as the congregation grew, but it has managed to maintain many of its original features, including ornate gingerbread trim boards along the pitch of the roof on the gable end, and oversized gothic windows located on each of the eave sides. This church’s main entrance is centrally located on the gable end. On the left eave-side is a Sunday school addition.
In August 1905, the Norton and Midland Free Baptist Churches asked Kiersteadville and Long Point Churches to unite with them to form a pastorate. This union was dissolved upon mutual agreement in 1997. The three churches still maintain a good working relationship and on occasion join together for worship and fellowship.
Information provided by the Kiersteadville United Baptist Church
Files
Collection
Citation
Avery Jackson, “Kiersteadville United Baptist Church, formerly Second Baptist Church of Springfield,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 28, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/442.