Woodstock United Baptist Church

GENERAL

Type / Purpose

Church

Location

694 Main Street, Woodstock, New Brunswick

Description

The Woodstock United Baptist Church is a large white Gothic Revival church in Woodstock.

Heritage Value

The Woodstock United Baptist Church is recognized for its Gothic Revival architecture and its continued importance to the Baptist community in Woodstock.

The Woodstock United Baptist Church was built shortly after the destruction of its predecessor, the Free Christian Baptist Church, in the Great Woodstock Fire of 1881. It demonstrates the Gothic Revival stylings that were popular in churches at the time. Various modifications were made to the church over the years. In 1907, the union of the different Baptist sects required the building to be greatly expanded, increasing its full seating capacity to over a thousand. The extension was designed by H.H. Mott, a Saint John architect notable for his involvement in numerous other heritage sites. This extension also added some Classical Revival elements. Additionally, in 1966, after a lightning strike damaged the 130-foot tower that was attached to the roof, the spire was permanently removed.

The building also has significant symbolic meaning as it was chosen by the Woodstock Baptist community after their reunification. The Baptist denomination in Woodstock dates to at least 1834, but differing beliefs quickly led to conflict within the denomination. In time, numerous groups split off from the original congregation, such as the Free Baptists and the Albert Street Baptists. However, in 1906, the various churches set aside their differences and reunited to form the Woodstock United Baptist Church. To this day, the Baptist denomination remains united and continues to worship at this location.

Heritage Recognition

Municipal Register of Local Historic Places (2006/07/01)

ARCHITECTURE

Date of Construction

1881 - 1885

Character Defining Elements

Exterior:
- Steep gable roof
- Large stained-glass windows, with a particularly predominant one above the front façade.
- Broad front façade with classical pediments and three wooden doors
- White wooden clapboard siding
- Both Gothic and Classical trim

Interior:
- Seating capacity of six hundred and fifty in the main auditorium
- Overflow separated by folding doors of seating for four hundred more
- Basement containing various rooms, including a kitchen, a parlor, and a meeting room for Sunday School, prayers, and social events
- Wainscoted ceiling
- Original pews
- Painted baptistery

Additions/Major Alterations

- Expansion in 1907 to accommodate combined congregation, which added some Classical Revival elements to the original Gothic Revival building
- Tower removed following lightning damage in 1966
- Original tall Gothic stained-glass windows were replaced by two ornate memorial stained-glass windows

Builder/Building Company

D. E. Dunham

OWNERSHIP HISTORY

Notable Historic Occupants

Woodstock Baptist Community:
The Baptist denomination in Woodstock dates to at least 1834. Originally a unified group, differing beliefs led numerous groups such as the Free Baptists and the Albert Street Baptists to split off from the original congregation. However, in 1906, the various churches set aside their differences and reunited to form the Woodstock United Baptist Church, commissioning this building to accommodate its combined audience.

SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS

Photos

Photographed by the Carleton County Historical Society. Image taken from historicplaces.ca

Sources Contributors

Gabrielle Byrne

Copyright 2023