Moser River Independent Baptist Church, formerly Moser River United Baptist Church
Title
Moser River Independent Baptist Church, formerly Moser River United Baptist Church
Creator
Avery Jackson
Source
Information provided by Atlantic Baptist Archives - Churches by the Sea - May 31, 1958.
Church Name
Moser River Independent Baptist Church, formerly Moser River United Baptist Church
Church Association
Independent, formerly Halifax Association
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Halifax County
Address
28824 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Moser River, NS
Status
Active
Date
Built circa 1885 - 1892
Historical Information
Formerly organized in 1887, this congregation built their church between 1885 and 1892. The congregation can trace its beginnings back to Rev. Isaiah Wallace, who traveled here on multiple occasions. In 1885 he conducted services and baptisms in this area, and in 1892 when he returned, he found that there had been a Baptist church built here. Prior to the construction of their own facility, the congregation used the Presbyterian church in the community.
This building is built in the Meeting House style, which was typical of Baptist congregations around this time frame in Atlantic Canada. The Meeting House style is characterized by a 1 ½ storey 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. The Baptist church is rather plain in design, and has hints of classical architectural detailings. This is evident in the use of three classical, rectangular, twelve-over-twelve windows, on each of the eave-side. Originally the church had a one-storey entranceway on the gable end, with an entrance on its side.
Over time, the church has been changed quite a bit, altering the exterior appearance and overall footprint of the facility. Much of the facility’s architectural detailing has been removed due to the application of vinyl siding and vinyl windows.
The church originally had a diamond shaped window on the gable end of the entryway, which appears to have been moved to the eave-side, with the addition of a new, larger entryway.
On the back facade and front facade of the church there has been a large addition, which added a recreational, kitchen, and bathroom space onto the facility, altering the overall shape and roofline of the structure.
In 1988, this congregation left the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and became independent.
Information provided by M. Allen Gibson, Churches by the Sea, Chronicle Herald, May 31, 1958.
This building is built in the Meeting House style, which was typical of Baptist congregations around this time frame in Atlantic Canada. The Meeting House style is characterized by a 1 ½ storey 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. The Baptist church is rather plain in design, and has hints of classical architectural detailings. This is evident in the use of three classical, rectangular, twelve-over-twelve windows, on each of the eave-side. Originally the church had a one-storey entranceway on the gable end, with an entrance on its side.
Over time, the church has been changed quite a bit, altering the exterior appearance and overall footprint of the facility. Much of the facility’s architectural detailing has been removed due to the application of vinyl siding and vinyl windows.
The church originally had a diamond shaped window on the gable end of the entryway, which appears to have been moved to the eave-side, with the addition of a new, larger entryway.
On the back facade and front facade of the church there has been a large addition, which added a recreational, kitchen, and bathroom space onto the facility, altering the overall shape and roofline of the structure.
In 1988, this congregation left the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and became independent.
Information provided by M. Allen Gibson, Churches by the Sea, Chronicle Herald, May 31, 1958.
Files
Collection
Citation
Avery Jackson, “Moser River Independent Baptist Church, formerly Moser River United Baptist Church,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 26, 2025, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/445.