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Middleton United
Church
History
12430
Hwy 224
Middle
Musquodoboit NS B0N 1X0
Tel:
(902) 384-2520 or (902) 384-2614
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
Marjory Cornelius 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, a
Youth Group
room 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. This past summer we
offered Vacation Bible
School, "Bread for the Journey",
and during the winter our Church building hosts the weekly Meals
on Wheels.
Church Services
Church Ministry
1815-Present
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