The website at (
visit link) tells us:
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66 Victoria Street - This church was built in 1846 of red sandstone by Rhodes Curry Co. and designed by architect Harry Mott. Towers and irregular masses categorize this structure’s Queen Anne Revival style. The red granite pillars around the doorways display the handiwork of local craftsmen. Charles Tupper and Samuel McCully served as pastors of the church."
The church website at (
visit link) tells us:
"The church building has undergone an extensive restoration program over the past 10 years with more than $2.5 million worth of work completed. The original building cost $30,000 to construct. Designed by Mott, Myles, Chatwin of St. John, NB and built by the Rhodes Curry and Company of Amherst, First Baptist is among the many designated historic properties located in the town of Amherst. The exterior of the building is red sandstone, quarried in Amherst and is representative of the materials used in the 1800's in Amherst. The building has been cleaned to remove the years of coal soot and reduce the effects of acid rain. Each stone has been cleaned and re-mortared to ensure that the building will be here for another century or more. First Baptist is designed in the Richardson Romanesque architectural style.
There has been extensive landscaping done around the building to enhance its appearance and add to the greenery of the downtown.
The property includes plentiful parking in the rear for church and town activities. With its unique round towers, the building attracts the attention of many.
The Interior
The interior of the church is without a doubt one of the more beautiful Protestant sanctuaries in the province. The downstairs has a seating capacity of 700 and the balcony can accommodate another 400 people. Not included in the original construction, the balcony was added in 1907 to handle the increased attendance at church. Most of the wood used in the sanctuary is oak and all the furniture was hand-crafted here in Amherst.
The centre of the sanctuary reaches up 37 feet to the wood paneled ceiling. Note the curved shape of the auditorium and the way the balcony follows the curve.
Throughout the building are many unique rooms. Upstairs you will find two round tower rooms. One is a parlour and the other is proposed office. Both have been completely restored as has the front entryway. Located on the main floor are a church parlour, meeting room and the church offices. A Board Room has been completed in a restored section at the back of the church. Upstairs is another parlour as well as the Nursery and children’s rooms. In the basement are the Sunday School rooms, an auditorium, kitchen and the boiler room. With two fully equipped and modernized kitchens, the members are able to meet any need.
The Windows
Within the church, there are a number of very beautiful stained glass windows, many of them originating with the construction of the building. Some were crafted in St. John, NB and others in England. These are memorial windows, and as you browse, make note of the persons remembered. All the windows on the Victoria St side have been totally restored to their original beauty under the craftsmanship of Sattler’s Stained Glass. Four new stained glass windows have been added in the 1990's and were designed and crafted by Northwind Studios in Pictou NS. The window over the main entrance is entitled “The Peace Window” and has been featured in stained glass publications around the world.
In the vestry, you will find a section of stained glass from the Highland Baptist Church, a daughter congregation of this church.
These windows are examples of the dedication and love of the people for their church, and for those who have so faithfully served the congregation over the years.
Please note the Bronze Memorial plaques at the front of the sanctuary placed in memory of the War Dead.
The Pipe Organ
Built in 1905, at a cost of $3,400, the pipe organ is a reminder of the importance of music in the life and worship of this congregation. The organ has undergone 2 extensive upgrades, with the most recent being for the 90th Anniversary of the instrument in 1995. The replacement cost of the organ is $340,000.
Originally built by Casavant-Freres of Quebec the present restoration was completed by the firm of Guilbart-Therien Inc. also of Quebec.
The organ is an Latin voiced instrument and with the addition of another trumpet stop, there are over 1500 pipes housed in the structure. The front of the organ is crafted to match the sanctuary and has 10 sounding pipes which are functional and not just cosmetic.
Whether in concert, or as a part of the Sunday worship, the pipe organ adds a sense of majesty and richness to the meaning and beauty of the music of First Baptist Church"