St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - New Glasgow, NS
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 45° 35.793 W 062° 38.363
20T E 528125 N 5049286
Constructed in 1886, this is the only Roman Catholic church ever built in New Glasgow and remains in use today.
Waymark Code: WMQTX3
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Posted: 03/28/2016
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Dorcadion Team
Views: 1

The parish of St. John the Baptist was created by the Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish, John Cameron, on October 24, 1885. Two years later, on November 6, 1887, the completed church was consecrated.

The building stands on a brick and stone foundation, with a stone base, now partially replaced by concrete, then brick with a single course of granite stones atop. The building has an obvious addition at the front, a large entry, or narthex, the full width of the building and several feet deep. Unfortunately, it covers much of the original bell tower. Its height is such that it stops just short of a rose window in the front of the tower. There is a smaller chancel at the rear, the foundation of which appears to be original. The basement, now extended by the addition of the narthex, has been turned into the parish hall.

On October 24, 1885, Bishop [John] Cameron created the New Glasgow (and area) Parish of St. John the Baptist, and assigned to it the Rev. John Shaw of Arisaig. Father Shaw built a church, rectory and convent in 1886, and on November 6, 1887 St. John the Baptist Church was dedicated. Henceforth Catholics on the East Side attended this church, and those on the West Side remained in Lourdes Parish. In 1887 nuns from the Congregation of Notre Dame in Montreal opened a school in the church basement. Five years later a school was erected, and replaced in 1917 during Father John MacLeod's tenure with St. John's Academy, a large brick structure that was enlarged in 1929 and again in 1936.

Rev. D. R. Chisholm, the fifth pastor, erected mission churches, first at Parkdale, St. Gregory's, in 1951. In the same year Father Chisholm began construction of the Church of Christ the King on Forge Street in Trenton, which was formally opened by Most Rev. John R. MacDonald on May 4, 1952. Priests of St. John's Parish served both missions, until the formation of Christ the King Parish at Trenton in 1953, with Rev. Roderick W. MacPherson in charge. A parish school was opened in 1958 by teachers from the Order of Sisters of St. Martha.
From Pictou County's History, Page 19
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Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 11/06/1887

Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 9:00 AM

Street address of Church:
390 High Street
New Glasgow, NS Canada
B2H 1X7


Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed

If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

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