Description of Historic Place

The former Little Sands United Church overlooks the nearby Northumberland Strait, located on a treed lot near the highway in the rural community of Little Sands, Prince Edward Island.

Heritage Value

This whimsical building is a rare example of a local church style in PEI, combining elements of the Neoclassical and Carpenter Gothic. The former Little Sands United Church is valued for its unique architectural style and for its contribution to the local community. Built in 1898 under the guidance of D.J. MacLean, the congregation was originally Presbyterian. Before its construction, the Scottish settlers of the area worshipped with those of nearby Wood Islands in a crude 24' by 30' building at Wood Islands. Beginning in 1843, clergy from the Free Church of Scotland led the worship services. After the union of various branches of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1875, a new church was built at Little Sands. This was eventually replaced by the current structure in 1898. At the opening service, preachers from various denominations took part and sermons were rendered in both English and Gaelic. In 1925, the church became affiliated with the United Church of Canada.

Part of the Murray Harbour/Murray River Pastoral Charge, the Charge voted in 2006 to de-commission its existing three churches, including Little Sands United, in favour of constructing a new Memorial United Church in Murray River to serve the amalgamated congregations. Following de-commissioning, a Friends of Little Sands Church group was incorporated and ownership of the church transferred to the group in 2012.

The architectural style of the building is unique in PEI. The main body of the building exhibits Carpenter Gothic elements such as pointed arch windows, a gable roof with eave returns, and a circular window on the front elevation representing a "double Trinity". The side tower with its square windows and pedimented gables as well as the columns and pedestals under the tri-gabled verandah are Neoclassical. Other interesting features include the contrasting vertical and horizontal cladding which is wooden clapboard.

The building retains much of its original architectural elements with the addition of a metal roof and a metal cone over the side tower; however, the building has been vacant for many years and is showing signs of decline. With its long history and pastoral location, the church contributes to Little Sands as a landmark in the community.

Source: PEI Heritage Places Files, PEI Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
File #: 4310-20/L2

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements illustrate the heritage value of the church:
- the stone foundation and wooden construction
- the pointed arch tracery windows of the side elevations
- the square two over two windows of the front elevation and tower
- the circular "double Trinity" window of the front elevation
- the gable roof with eave returns and the tri-gabled front verandah
- the pedimented dormers of the side tower
- the hipped roof of the tower with bracketted cornice
- the vertical and horizontal clapboard
- the stick decoration in the upper gable end and on the tower's pedimented dormers

Other character-defining elements include:
- the location of the church in a rural setting overlooking the sea