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Middleton United Church History
12430 Hwy
224
Middle
Musquodoboit NS B0N 1X0
Tel: (902)
384-2520
Email: middletonunitedchurch@ns.aliantzinc.ca
The first Church was built on the center of the land
now called "Pioneer Cemetery" during the ministry of Reverend John
Laidlaw. Construction of the Church started in 1814 and was finally
completed after some difficulties in 1818. It was a two-story
building, and could supposedly occupy 700 people. In 1868, only 50
years later, it was torn down and sold at public auction.
The present Church, originally built as a
Presbyterian Church, stands east of the old Church on property was
purchased from Jonathan Layton for $40. The entire cost of
construction was $3,440. It was opened and dedicated for worship on
December 12, 1869 and on October 1871 named "Middleton".
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The name "Middleton" came from the maiden name
of Rev. Robert Sedgwick's wife, Jessie Middleton.
Mrs. Middleton led the Sewing Circle which
raised most of the money for furnishings in the
Church. |
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| Rev. Robert
Sedgwick |
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Jessie
(Middleton) Sedgwick |
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The choir used to occupy the two front seats in
the gallery until land was donated for the Chancel. In 1899,
Robert Reid donated the existing Church bell in memory of his
wife Mary Ann Archibald. The stained glass windows were made
possible in 1909 by the Sewing Circle. The first organist was
Mrs. Daniel Reid.
In July 1915, two stone tablets were unveiled
in the Church, one in memory of the Ministers of the
Presbyterian faith who served in the first 100 years, and the
second to the pioneer men and women who, with heroic courage,
laid the foundation of the Church in the Musquodoboit Valley.
Finally, in 1958, the Church was lifted and a foundation
poured, which created main floor rooms still used today as
classrooms, a kitchen, and washrooms, all laid by
volunteers.
Middleton United Church has
remained very active in the life of the community since that
time and, since United Church Union, has been part of a
two-point Pastoral Charge along with Riverside United
Church. |
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This stained glass
window is by the
seat that the Gladwins still use
today |
Reverend Annika
Sangster ministers both Churches, which have several joint
committees as well as their own activities and services. Today, as
well as weekly services, Middleton
United Church hosts Sunday School,
Guides, Scouts, UCW (United Church Women) and
Meals on Wheels.
Upstairs there is a beautiful Sanctuary with a hand
painted wall mural and downstairs there
is an office, a boardroom and an open common area for suppers,
etc.
Mural on the
back wall of the Chancel
The Neighbourhood
Middle
Musquodoboit is a rural community located approximately 100 kms from
Nova Scotia's capital city of Halifax. The area has a strong
agricultural history and base. Each summer the community hosts the
Halifax
County Exhibition. There is also live theatre in the Bicentennial Theatre & Cultural Center, which
has hosted virtually every prominent entertainment name in Nova
Scotia. The Theatre also houses the local Visitor Information
Centre as well as the Lions
Den and the local Food Bank.
Our
Church plays a very active roll in the life of the community. During
the winter our Church building hosts the weekly Meals on Wheels as
well as the local Adult Literacy group.
Church
Services
Church Ministry
1815-Present
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