History
If you would like to know more about the history of the congregation, online versions of some of our local history booklets that have been written are available below!
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.
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!
