Description of Historic Place

Construction of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, located at Springhill near the Fredericton City limits, began in 1838. Members of the local Black community helped build the original wood-frame church, which was subsequently altered in the late 19th century and then again in the late 20th century.

Heritage Value

St. Peter’s Anglican Church is significant not only because it is one of the oldest surviving wooden churches still in continuous use in the province, but also because of the social and cultural implications associated with its congregation. Completed by 1839 and consecrated by Bishop John Inglis in 1840, this church originally conformed to a basic rectangular footprint while also featuring its distinctive bell tower. From its inception, Springhill comprised a racially mixed community. The Black population at Springhill had both an early and an enduring presence. Loyalist Colonel Isaac Allen, who had been granted 2000 acres in the Parish of Kingsclear, brought slaves with him when he settled in the area. Allen’s wife, Sarah, had lived at “Spring Hill,” Philadelphia, and this New Brunswick community was named in honour of her former estate.

The Leek family, a Black family long associated with the church and the community, helped erect and maintain St. Peter’s Anglican Church. George Leek worked on the original structure and his sons George and William made additions to the church in 1875. In that year, a sanctuary and chancel was added to the east end of the original church building, reflecting the Neo-Gothic influences promoted by Bishop John Medley. George Leek, Jr., served for many years as sexton of the church, and the congregation raised funds in support of Mr. Leek after his house burned in 1881.

The adjacent burial ground was consecrated in September 1849. When the graveyard expanded, the new portion was consecrated in September 1890. From the beginning, black and white members of the church were buried in the St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Blacks were highly involved with the church, serving as sextons, members of the choir, and gravediggers. Comprising nearly one-third of the congregation, Blacks represented a significant presence within the church. The Black community at Springhill remains highly involved with St. Peter’s Anglican Church.

Source: City of Fredericton, Local Historic Places Files

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of St. Peter’s Anglican Church include:
- rectangular massing with central crenellated bell tower, reflecting Neo-Gothic alterations;
- Gothic arch door and window openings;
- addition of chancel and sanctuary at east end of structure;
- installation of balcony, containing organ and choir;
- organ dated 1835, manufactured by Joseph Walker and modified by Henry Jones;
- original pews, crafted of local wood;
- early and continued association with the Black community;
- construction of the church by Blacks reflected in stained glass window;
- adjacent cemetery, including racially-mixed burials.