This is a photo of the United Baptist Church
in New Ross, Nova Scotia. Rev. Asaph Whitman helped build this church and a plaque was
placed in the church in tribute to him.
This picture was submitted by Alan Whitman.
This is compiled from an article written by Mrs. Roland Cornelius in the
book titled "The History of New Ross" by Caroline (Broome) Leopold in June 1966.
New Ross United Baptist Church
Reverend Joseph Dimock of Chester was the first minister who preached to the Baptists at New Ross.
Eleven members of the Baptist Church at Chester left to form a church at Sherbrooke, otherwise
known at New Ross. John Broome, a Loyalist settler from the U.S.A., who lived at "Broome's Hill"
about a mile west of Charing Cross on the Annapolis road, gave the land to the newly formed
organization on which the Baptist meeting-house was built.
The first deacons of the newly formed church were John Broome, George Elliot, and Thomas Brown.
The meetings for religious worship were at first held at the homes of the members. The new meeting
house was built in 1855-1856 and the first sermon preached in the new place of worship was by
Reverend C.S. Hunt in 1860.
The name of the community was changed from Sherbrooke to New Ross and the church became
known as the New Ross Baptist Church. During the pastorate of Reverend J.S. Archibald, who
had been ordained in the church at New Ross, on October 21, 1884, it was decided to build a new
church and parsonage nearer to Charing Cross. Plans for building the new church didn't seem to
become concrete until 1900. Male members of the church gave individually considerable sums of
money or its equivalent in building material. Reverend Asaph Whitman at that time Pastor of the
church, besides being a zealous man of God, was also a keen businessman, and had a large part
in promoting the work.
The new church was completed on May 21, 1905 with Reverend D.H. Simpson of Billtown, preaching
the dedication sermon. On July 18, 1934, the church and community was deeply grieved by the
sudden death of Reverend A.H. MacLeod, while conducting the funeral service of a church member.
Reverend P.G. Corbin, Rector of the Anglican Church who was present, concluded the funeral
service. In 1953 a beautiful Communion table and two chairs were given to the church and dedicated
to the memory of the pioneer Baptists of New Ross.
The community of New Ross also has a web site
with this information and also the times for worship at the church. You may click on this link to find those hours.
The New Ross United Baptist Church
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Copyright � 1998-2003 Rita Whitman
Revised: January 2, 2003