Smiths Cove Baptist Meeting House
Title
Smiths Cove Baptist Meeting House
Church Name
Smiths Cove Baptist Meeting House
Province
Nova Scotia
County
Digby
Address
Highway No. 1, Smiths Cove, Nova Scotia
Status
Alternative Use
Date
1834-1837
Historical Information
The Meeting House was built between 1834 and 1837 by Benjamin Potter, a practicing Baptist and advocate for temperance. In 1828 a temperance society was organized nearby at Bear River. The Smith’s Cove Meeting House was built to accommodate more than just Baptist services and was open for use by the local Methodist congregation. Prior to 1860, temperance meetings were held on the grounds of the Meeting House, often with the people of Bear River.
In 1886, the Meeting House had ceased to be used for Baptist services as Smiths Cove United Baptist Church moved into a separate building that year. In 1902 the Meeting House was formally established as the Temperance Hall for Division no. 169. In 1972 the Temperance Society ceased operations; however the building continued to have a roll in the community as a fire hall. In 1990 the Smith’s Cove Historical Society purchased the building and it is now open to the public.
The historic place is a wood frame structure with a front facing gable roof, clad with clapboards. The front elevation incorporates two doorways, each incorporating an arched panel above the door, surmounted by an entablature with dentils supported by Gothic Revival pilasters. In the 1970s, when the building ceased functioning as a temperance hall, the building became the local fire hall and a one storey addition was made to the rear of the building to house fire trucks. A gallery runs along three interior walls which has been enclosed and covered with decorative metal cladding, as has the ceiling.
In 1886, the Meeting House had ceased to be used for Baptist services as Smiths Cove United Baptist Church moved into a separate building that year. In 1902 the Meeting House was formally established as the Temperance Hall for Division no. 169. In 1972 the Temperance Society ceased operations; however the building continued to have a roll in the community as a fire hall. In 1990 the Smith’s Cove Historical Society purchased the building and it is now open to the public.
The historic place is a wood frame structure with a front facing gable roof, clad with clapboards. The front elevation incorporates two doorways, each incorporating an arched panel above the door, surmounted by an entablature with dentils supported by Gothic Revival pilasters. In the 1970s, when the building ceased functioning as a temperance hall, the building became the local fire hall and a one storey addition was made to the rear of the building to house fire trucks. A gallery runs along three interior walls which has been enclosed and covered with decorative metal cladding, as has the ceiling.
Historical description edited for brevity from: Canada's Historic Places.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Smiths Cove Baptist Meeting House,” Atlantic Baptist Built Heritage Project , accessed April 18, 2024, https://atlanticbaptistheritage.omeka.net/items/show/89.