ABOUT US
Our aim is to grow up as Christ's Disciples, team up for a healthy Church and reach out to a hurting world.
OUR VISION
Together, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to grow in our faith in Jesus Christ, and to sow seeds of God's love.
WHAT WE DO
Being and making disciples of Jesus Christ, united in a spiritually healthy, growing, covenant fellowship, committed to Christ's Great Commission and doing God's will on earth.
OUR COMMUNITY
We are a member church of Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. We're happy to serve alongside other Christian congregations in Kentville, being a place of worship, learning, friendship and opportunity.
OUR STORY
Kentville Baptist church was first organized on March 3, 1874, but a fellowship actually started some 50 years before this. Theodore Seth Harding, a Baptist Minister from Wolfville, preached at the old court house as early as 1824. When the church was formally organized in 1874, there were 24 charter members. The church building was completed in that same year and has had many additions and modifications over the years. A Hammond organ was installed in 1948 and a two-storey addition, for more Sunday School space, was added in that same year. A new church building, the present church, was completed in 1960 and the old church building was remodeled to become the Baptist Church hall. In a sealed box in the cornerstone of the present church are records and papers dating back to 1874. A new Hill, Norman and Beard pipe organ (from England), was purchased and installed in 1964 due to the generous donation of Viola Bishop, long serving organist.
The first pastor was Rev. James Parker; 17 pastors later, Rev. W. C. Machum served the longest term, 1930-1943, followed by Rev. Freeman Fenerty who also served 13 years. Both men were considered to have given exemplary leadership and growth to the church. It was during their terms that the outside fields of Aldershot, the Altons and Steam Mill gradually became large enough to form their own pastorates in 1961.
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Following the ministry of Freeman Fenerty, George Hamilton assumed the position and served 10 years. Allan Griffin was his Associate Pastor and succeeded Hamilton in 1967. Membership at this time was Resident 586 and Non-Resident 561, for a total of 1,147, an all-time high. Rev. Byron Fenwick was Senior Pastor (1978-88) and during his ministry the old church was demolished to make room for construction of the present CE Centre, which was completed in 1982 at a cost of $680,000. This debt was paid off in less than 7 years. In 2005-2006 there were multiple enhancements to the church and CE Centre, including extension of the sanctuary stage, installation of a multi-media system, expansion of the church foyer, relocation of church offices and library, and the installation of an elevator lift.
Senior Pastors since that time are: Rev. Donald M. Quigg (interim 1988-89); Rev. Judith Gates (1989-1996), Rev. Phillip Griffin-Allwood (1996-2000), Rev. John McNally (2001-2014), Rev. Dr. Gordon Sutherland (interim 2014-2015) and Rev. Dr. David Bielby (2015-present). Over the years, the church has also had range of associate pastoral staff serving in various roles, including Rev. Ida Armstrong-Whitehouse, Lic. John Crawford, Rev. Barb Fuller, Lic. Gail Whalen-Dunn, Lic. Lawsen Aulenbach, Rev. Andrew Porter, Lic. Colin Cook, Rev. Karl Csasazar, Rev. Jeff Hosick (pastoral care), Rev. Michael Lipe (CE), Rev. Roger Cann (pastoral care), Rev. Gerry Zinck (interim and visitation), Troy Coldwell, Keith Blair, and Christoph Deutchmann. Church music directors have included Viola Bishop (1942-60), Sandra Baltzer (1960-65), Doris Jacomb (1965-83), John Greer, Owen Stephens (1985-90), Rita Atrott (1990-93), Joan Redden (1993-99), (Rev.) Larry Woodman (1999-2002), Joy Cook (2002-05) and Devin Johnstone (2005 - present).
The church has an appreciation for its rich history and an anticipation of an exciting future. The pastoral leaders consider it a joy to be a part of what God is doing in the Valley and around the world!
STAFF
Rev. Dr. Dave Bielby
Senior Pastor
Dave has been in pastoral ministry since 1981, mostly in Toronto. He received his BTh (Heritage Baptist College) and M.Div (Tyndale Seminary) there and joined us here in the Valley to receive his D.Min at Acadia. He is married to Margie and they have three adult children. Dave's desire is to see people formed in Christian faith and love.
Rev. Devin Johnstone
Associate Pastor
Director of Music
Devin holds the Associateship Diploma from the London College of Music at Thames Valley University, the Colleague Diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and an M.Div (Acadia). He has a keen interest in worship and music, and seeing people deepen their faith and walk with God.
Alison Brathwaite
Office Manager
Alison has been the office manager at Kentville United Baptist Church for 10 years. She lives in Kentville with her husband and has two grown children.