A religious movement called "The New Light Movement" began in New England and was introduced to Nova Scotia by early Puritan settlers who moved here after the American Revolution.
Israel Potter had been born in Massachusetts in November of 1763 and moved to Nova Scotia where he married Mary Rice. They lived in Lower Granville where he became involved in this religious movement. He was baptized in the Lower Granville Church which had been founded in 1780 and had recently became a Baptist Church.
Israel moved his family to his old family homestead at Clements (now Upper Clements) in 1810. Here he was instrumental in the revival in that area. He held services in the kitchen of his house for awhile until a new meeting house could be built.
It is believed work on the new meeting house was started in 1810 which gives this church the distinction of being the oldest surviving Baptist church building in Nova Scotia.
The church is now known as the Goat Island Church, however, was previously known as Goat Island Baptist Church and Potter's Church; so named for Rev. Israel Potter.
The Goat Island Baptist Church is located on Hwy 1 between Annapolis Royal and Cornwallis in Upper Clements. Watch for the sign.
From Annapolis Valley Vacation