Annapolis Royal is one of the oldest sites of settlement on the continent and, though it has no buildings remaining from the 1600s, it has the remains of one of the earliest forts in Canada and buildings from the eighteenth century. So, a 1911 brick church, such as this one, would seem to be a relatively recent addition to the cityscape.
This church, though, is a rather important one in the history of the United Church in Canada, as it was one of the first
United Churches in Canada. From its construction in 1911 until 1919 it was used solely by the Methodists but, in 1919, the building began to be shared by the Methodists of St. George’s and the Presbyterians of St. Andrew's (which, incidentally, was just across the street), worshipping as one congregation. This predates by 6 years
Church Union in Canada, which didn't come about until June 10, 1925.
When this church officially became a United Church it took on the previous names of both the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations, becoming the
Church of St. George and St. Andrew. The union brought together Congregational, Methodist, Presbyterian and Union churches to worship under the umbrella of the
United Church of Canada. This church was one of the first to bring together Methodist and Presbyterian congregations, a harbinger of what the future held for these denominations.
Church of St. George
and St. Andrew
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
393 St. George Street, also known as the United Church of St. George and St. Andrew, is a large two storey, red brick structure located at the main intersection of commercial and residential districts of Annapolis Royal, NS. The 1911 building is located on a small lot is located adjacent to both bordering streets. The municipal designation includes the building and surrounding property.
HERITAGE VALUE
Historic Value
The historic value of 393 St. George Street, as recognized in its municipal designation, is found in its long use as a place of religious worship in Annapolis Royal, and as one of the first “United” churches in Canada. In 1911, the previous St. George’s Methodist Church was torn down, the manse was moved to that location, and the new church built on the former site of the manse. The new, larger, brick church reflects some of the general optimism of the community and the Methodist congregation. Shortly after its construction, the Methodists and the Presbyterians (who had a church – St. Andrew’s – just across the street) began meeting as one congregation in 1919. This predates the official union of the two churches to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. Throughout the twentieth century, this building has served as a major place of worship in the town, as well as a significant gathering place for social and cultural events.
ARCHITECTECTURAL VALUE
The architectural significance of 393 St. George Street is found in its French Romanesque Style, brick construction materials, and its positioning at the most significant crossroads in the town. The brick church, unique in Annapolis Royal, has a steeply pitched roof, and square towers of differing heights flanking its main façade. The main windows have a roman arch, which is copied in the windows over the doors in the two towers, and in the smaller windows in the sanctuary. These curved shapes are accentuated by a crest of contrasting stone above each window. The larger tower has two long, narrow, almost slit-like windows on each of its two main facades. The towers have dental moulding under the cornice, and are capped with a finial. There have been relatively few alterations made to the exterior, the most notable being the bricking up of a doorway in the back ell, and the recent addition of a wooden ramp to one of the doors.
The church sits at the corner of the two busiest streets in the town, and across from the early nineteenth century county courthouse, thus is highly visible. It is sited very close to both streets, enhancing its appearance of size.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
- two square towers;
- steeply pitched roof;
- rounded windows;
- dentil mouldings under the cornice on the towers;
- brick construction;
- unaltered, intact condition;
- location very near the edge of the streets;
- positioning on the corner of the two busiest streets in Annapolis Royal.
From Historic Places Canada