Kent Presbyterian Church was built sometime between 1837 and 1842 and remained in use as a church for a scant couple of decades, until 1859. The church was joined on Queen street in 1859 by the Methodist Church, now Wesley United Church, which still stands immediately west of the old church. It's had an eclectic series of occupants since its construction, serving the community as, first a temperance hall, from 1859 to 1903, then a public hall until 1933. It was in that year that the building was taken over by the Masons, to become Eastern Light Lodge Number 72. While under the ownership of the Sons of Temperance it acquired the name of
Chedabucto Hall.
With no bell tower or steeple, it is likely that the church was built as a meeting house style building, never having had a tower. That's not to discount the possibility of its having been removed. The town has experienced at least two major gales, and at least one since the church was built. The Great Gale of 1811 and another in 1873 both did substantial damage in the town. Christ Anglican Church was blown down during the October, 1811 gale and the 1873 gale damaged five ships, destroyed all wharves and damaged the Methodist Church, as well as several bridges. We do note, however, that the church next door, built in 1859, still sports a bell tower, with a steeple style quite common at the time of its construction.
3 Eastern Light Lodge, Queen Street. 1842. Built as the Kent Presbyterian Church so named for James Kent whose will provided the funds to establish a church. From 1859 to 1903 it served as a
temperance hall, and for many years was known as Chedabucto Hall, serving as a public facility. It became the Masonic Lodge in 1933.
From A Walking Tour of Guysborough