The Kirk in St George
has been worshipping in this location since 1790 and it is the oldest building in continuous use in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Kirk is part of a small town where people know one another and care for each other. There is a program available for young children offered by a trustworthy, vetted professional.
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.
The Kirk in Pennfield
worships in a building erected in 1884, although the congregation existed before that.
Greenock Presbyterian Church
is a designated historical site, with a gracious building that houses a two-story pulpit. The design of the building is intended to draw attention to the reading and preaching of the Bible.