Description of Historic Place

The modest wooden structure of the United Baptist church was built in 1909 in the Carpenter’s Gothic style and is located on the site of the former Baptist temple built circa 1840. This place of worship and its cemetery are located at 65 Hanington Road.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the United Baptist Church as a local historic place lies mainly in the importance of its cemetery, located on the church grounds. It has spiritual value in that it represents the belief system of Baptist pioneers in the region. In addition, the cemetery contains tombstones of the region’s Baptist pioneers, including that of Lemuel Wilbur (1803-1883), a key player in establishing the Baptist Church in the region. The graves of several prominent figures in the history of Shediac can also be found in the cemetery.

The heritage value of the Shediac United Baptist Church also comes from its architectural value. In spite of its simplicity and austere form, the church is meant to be an elegant representation of Carpenter’s Gothic with its wood construction, pyramidal bell tower, ogival windows, and steeply sloped roof.

Source: Shediac Town Hall - Registrar's Office - file #1

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the United Baptist Church include elements associated with the site as a whole and those associated with the church and cemetery located on the site.

The key elements of the site as a whole include:
- 683 square metre property, which includes the church and cemetery;
- archaeological remains located on the grounds of the church and cemetery;
- location on the site of the former Baptist temple.

The character-defining elements of the cemetery include:
- grave of Lemuel Wilbur;
- tombstones of Baptist pioneers in the region.

The character-defining elements of the church include:
- steeply sloped gable roof;
- symmetry of the openings on the main façade;
- Gothic arch windows;
- four-sided bell tower with hipped roof;
- base of the bell tower that serves as the main entrance;
- brick chimney and its position on the ridge of the roof.