Presbyterian Kirk
180 Brunswick Street, St George, New Brunswick, E5C, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2006/05/08
Other Name(s)
Presbyterian Kirk
The Kirk
The Kirk
First Community Church
Première église communautaire
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
1790/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2008/12/04
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Presbyterian Kirk is a single storey, Loyalist style religious building located at the juncture of Brunswick Street and Wallace Street in the Town of St. George. The building is painted white with yellow ornamentation above the main entrance. A white picket fence with open portal leads to well-maintained grounds and the front entrance of the church. A name plaque is located on the fence.
Heritage Value
Presbyterian Kirk is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its continuous use as place of worship since 1790.
Built in 1790, Presbyterian Kirk is an example of Loyalist religious architecture. This style is evident in its simple rectangular massing and use of classical elements such as the large pediment in the front gable and the overall symmetry of the building. The aesthetic of the site is enhanced by the white picket fence with open portal leading to well-maintained grounds.
Presbyterian Kirk is also recognized for being the oldest Presbyterian Church in continuous use in Canada today. From 1790 to 1854, many faiths used the church for their spiritual services until they could afford to build churches of their own.
Source: Charlotte County Archives, St. Andrews. St. George Register of Local Historic Places Collection, Site File #010
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements that describe Presbyterian Kirk include:
- single-storey rectangular massing;
- gable roof forming a large pediment on the front façade;
- yellow semi-circular ornamentation in the centre of the pediment tympanum;
- symmetrical location and dimension of windows;
- field stone cellar;
- inscription on the plaque "BUILT BY FIRST SETTLERS - 1790 - OLDEST BUILDING IN CANADA USED AS A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Charlotte County Historical Society";
- white picket fence with an open portal leading to well-maintained grounds.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
New Brunswick
Recognition Authority
Local Governments (NB)
Recognition Statute
Local Historic Places Program
Recognition Type
Municipal Register of Local Historic Places
Recognition Date
2006/05/08
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
1790/01/01 to 1854/01/01
Theme - Category and Type
- Building Social and Community Life
- Religious Institutions
- Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
- Architecture and Design
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Historic
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Charlotte County Archives, St. Andrews, NB - St. George Historic Places File #010
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
1165
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a