Standing on the north side of Highway 331, just west of Huey Lake Road, this church appears to be the best maintained of the three which line the highway here. It rests on large stone blocks with a small polished granite stone acting as a cornerstone, apprising us that the church was erected in 1907. Other sources further apprise us that it was consecrated on December 2, 1911.
Architecturally Gothic Revival in style, the church was built on a slightly unusual plan, with the small bell tower set near the centre of one side of the building, behind an entrance or narthex which extends outward from the front of the nave. Even more unusual is the fact that the belfry and steeple are supported by an open wooden framework, the bottom of the belfry being even in height with the peak of the gable roof on the narthex. The belfry, containing a single bell, is open, with Gothic arched openings on each side. The short octagonal spire on top sports a wooden cross, as does the front gable end of the narthex.
Given that the church shares a pastor with other churches in the
Parishes of Petite Riviere and New Dublin, services are only held at St. John's once every third week.
DUBLIN SHORE, Lunenburg County
It is about a mile south of the mouth of the La Have River. The name comes from the fact that this settlement is on the shore of New Dublin township which was named for Dublin. Ireland. by the Irish people who settled here. This land was granted to Joseph Pernette in 1765. John Vance, one of the earliest settlers in the township, was here in 1763. In 1760 the land had been granted to 260 proprietors from Connecticut, U.S.A. Few stayed and the land was regranted.
St. James' Church at lower Dublin was erected in 1861.
St. John's Anglican Church, West Dublin, was built about 1908 and consecrated on December 2, 1911. A Union church was erected at West Dublin sometime prior to 1876. In 1859 a Presbyterian Church was built between Dublin shore and West Dublin. A new Presbyterian Church at Dublin Shore was opened on September 25, 1895. It was torn down soon after 1925. The 1867 Church was demolished after St. Matthews Church was opened at West Dublin on November 8. 1908 and Knox Presbyterian Church was built at Dublin Shore in 1909.
From the Nova Scotia Archives