The Presbyterian congregation was organized in the Springbrook area in 1810, constructing their first church, a log building, at nearby Yankee Hill at about this time. The meeting house style Geddie Memorial Church replaced that building in 1836. Originally known as Anderson's Church, after the donor of the land on which the church stands, it was later renamed in honour of
Reverend John Geddie (1815-1872). Scottish born and Nova Scotia raised, Geddie was ordained and inducted into the pastoral charge of Cavendish and New London at Geddie Memorial Church in March of 1838.
Reverend Geddie pioneered missionary work in the New Hebrides islands, now known as Vanuatu, and became known as "
the father of Presbyterian missions in the South Seas". He managed to convert essentially the entire population before dying on the islands on December 14, 1872. Reverend Geddie had been the first missionary sent out by the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
An interesting aspect of Geddie Memorial Church is its bell tower, which was designed by Major Schurman and built in 1905. It is a freestanding tower, standing several metres to the south of the church. This tower could be unique on the Island. It stands nearly as tall as the church itself, its size, shape and style being somewhat reminiscent of the lighthouses of the Island.
Also on the grounds of the church are the Geddie Memorial Cemetery, the aforementioned bell tower, a World War I Memorial cenotaph, a World War II Memorial and a memorial to Reverend John Geddie.
No longer an active church, the building and grounds are maintained as an historic property by the Presbyterian Church in Canada and a charitable organization.
Geddie Memorial Church
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
Geddie Memorial Church is a maritime vernacular meeting house style church with Neo-Classical details located in the community of Springbrook.
HERITAGE VALUE
Geddie Memorial Church is valued for its age, architectural style, and for its associations with the Presbyterian church and Rev. John Geddie.
A Presbyterian congregation was established in the Springbrook area in 1810. Geddie Memorial Church was built in 1836-1837 by James Clark assisted by local carpenters. This church replaced an earlier log structure which was constructed at nearby Yankee Hill by Rev. John Keir. The land for the church was provided by the Anderson family, early Scottish settlers in the area, and the church was first known as Anderson's Church.
The church was later renamed in honour of Scottish-born, Nova Scotia raised, Rev. John Geddie (1815-1872) who was ordained and inducted into the pastoral charge of Cavendish and New London at Geddie Memorial Church in March 1838. Rev. Geddie continued to serve the charge until 1845 when he resigned to travel to Aneiteum, New Hebrides where he and his family conducted missionary work for over twenty years. Several artifacts pertaining to Geddie are displayed in the church.
Geddie Memorial Church has been well-preserved and remains much as it was built. Its clean, simple lines and windows have been retained. Some interior changes were made in 1904 and a free-standing bell tower was built in 1905 by John Warren, designed by Major Schurman.
Located in the North Shore community of Springbook, overlooking the New London Bay, the Geddie Memorial Church continues to be an important landmark in its community.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
- the overall massing of the building
- the roof pitch
- the placement and size of the windows with twelve-over-eight pane wooden sash windows
- the placement and size of the coloured-glass twelve-over-twelve pane wooden sash windows on the north elevation
- the enclosed two-storey porch with four-over-four and nine-over-six pane wooden sash windows
- the wood panel entrance doors
- the wood-shingled bell tower with eave brackets and decorative shingles and trim
- its location next to the Geddie Memorial Cemetery
From Historic Places Canada