Over two hundred and thirty years ago in 1776 the first settlers came to this area. The American Colonies revolted from England and those remaining loyal to the British Empire left the United States and came to settle between Nictaux and Berwick. These first settlers lived in log houses and had a very simple lifestyle. Many of the people who live in this area today are direct descendants of these early settlers and carry the same family names as Baker, Banks, Fales, Gates, Goucher, Parker, Saunders, Ward, Welton and others.
There have been many ups and downs in the religious lives of these immigrants and their descendants. The Church of England (now Anglican) was the only Church recognized by law and other denominations usually met in homes, “Meeting Houses” or school houses. It was unlawful for any Church (other than Church of England) to own property. The Old Trinity Church in Middleton built in 1789 serves as a landmark and has had recent restoration. It is an example of early Church of England establishment in this area.
After much pressure from the people, the law was finally passed in 1828 that permitted any denomination to apply for permission to own Church property. Certain conditions had to be met, and beliefs clearly stated, etc. A copy of this law may be seen at the MacDonald Museum in Middleton.
After this law was passed many Baptist Churches sprang up, and in the next year (1829) a Church was organized in Aylesford consisting of Lower Aylesford and Upper Wilmot. A great revival occurred around this time and many were converted.
Nictaux was the religious “hub” at the time, in the early 1800’s, and it was from this church that two ministers set out to spread the gospel in the surrounding area. As a direct result of their efforts our Baptist history began.
The Baptist denomination was represented in this area, by a large church built at Upper Wilmot in 1834, known as the “Plains Church”. The cemetery of that church still remains in the pine grove across from the Tibbett’s Seniors Residence on the west end of Kingston. This was a church built to seat 500 people with balconies built on the front and two sides. It is said to have been a plain –looking church which looked more like a two-storey house with 2 rows of windows – the top row in the balconies. At the back of the church was a large pulpit. The church had no steeple, as was customary at that time.
This large church was built to serve the entire surrounding area. By the time it was completed there was a great conflict between Pastor and people and the Minister and some members were dismissed. This Pastor (Ezekiel Marsters) was re-hired 2 years later, but problems still remained and the church never reached its expected potential.
Because of the conflict at the “Plains Church,” and the distance to travel, other churches were built in surrounding communities. Travel was by foot or horse and buggy and local churches were more feasible.
In 1847 the Lower Aylesford and Upper Wilmot churches were combined with a total membership of 111 to form a new church – The Lower Aylesford and Upper Wilmot Church.
In 1851 a church was built at Tremont under the ministry of Dr. Charles Tupper (father of Sir Charles Tupper – one of Canada’s Prime Ministers). He was also at this time pastor of the “Plains Church” and in total was ministering to at least 6 small churches in the area. In 1852 arrangements were made for him to devote ¾ of his time in the Lower Aylesford pastorate for $75.00 a year and ¼ of his time at Upper Wilmot at $25.00 a year. Many were baptized during his ministry and membership grew significantly. By 1851 the population of the area had reached 2000.
In 1871 the Tremont church burned during the week of revival services on the 27th of January. Two years later the “Plains Church” was torn down, as it had served its’ usefulness and the lumber brought to Tremont (reportedly by ox-team) to rebuild the church there. Some of that lumber was also brought from the “Plains Church” and used in the building of our present church facility in 1872 – The Union Church in Wilmot (on the corner of the #1 Hwy and the Dodge Road).
The land for our Wilmot church was donated by descendants of Rev. John Wiswall who was the Anglican Minister for the Wilmot-Aylesford area between 1790 and 1810. It was under his ministry in this area that the Old Trinity Church was built in Lower Middleton (then part of Wilmot Township) and stands today. The Wiswall’s built their home east of our church and also a School for Girls was built nearby, which was a private school, and some of the Wiswall family taught there.
Our Union Church housed 3 or 4 different denominations during the first years of it’s existence – Church of England (Anglican), Methodist, Baptist and likely Presbyterian. Unfortunately, no Baptist records are available for the Wilmot Union Church for the first 41 years but it was linked to Margaretsville and Melvern Square churches during that time. There was very little growth in the early 1900’s and at one point there were less than 10 Baptists in the Wilmot Union Church.
In 1930 the 3 pastorates of Lower Aylesford, Melvern Square and Kingston all combined to form one pastorate and Rev. J.J. Sidey became minister to all 8 churches – Wilmot, Melvern square, Tremont, Harmony, Greenwood, Meadowvale, Kingston and North Kingston.
In 1934 Rev. Sidey left the pastorate when his congregation voted to remain with the Convention (our denominational body… United Baptist Convention of Atlantic Canada, recently renamed the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches). Some members left with Rev. Sidey and formed a new body known as the Lower Aylesford United Baptist (Independent) Church at Kingston Village (now Greenwood Village). The building housing the Auditorium burned in 1962 and was replaced with the present structure on Bridge Street and became known as the Bible Baptist Church combining the Kingston, Melvern Square and Lower Aylesford (Independent) Churches.
In 1949 the Wilmot United Baptist Church was again re-organized at a meeting held at the home of Mrs. Clarence (Eva) Angevine. In 1953 Wilmot re-united with the Lower Aylesford pastorate comprising Tremont, Harmony, Greenwood and Wilmot churches. Rev. A.G.J. Steeves was pastor at that time and he “fanned the Baptist spark”. A budget of $125.00 for the year had been struck, but was amended to $183.00; so $150.00 could be paid toward the Pastor’s salary, $18.75 for Wilmot’s share of parsonage repairs and $15.00 as Wilmot’s Denominational allotment.
In April1954 the membership had increased by seven members to a total of 15 members. The Pastor for the four churches lived in the parsonage at Kingston Village (now Greenwood Village) and services were held in Tremont and Harmony each Sunday and in Greenwood and Wilmot on alternate Sundays. In Wilmot by 1955 a total of 29 members was reported and in 1957 – 31 members.
In 1958 Rev. Howard McCormick became pastor of the four churches and 39 members were reported in Wilmot Church that year. By 1961 the Sunday School enrollment was 84 with an average attendance of 50 in Wilmot.
By 1962 church membership had increased to 33. That same year a Young People’s group was started with Rev. Howard McCormick and Mrs. Clair (Shirley) Corbin as leaders.
In 1963 Lic. Robert Jones became pastor of the four churches and was ordained at Tremont Sept.22, 1963. In 1966 Rev. Howard McCormick again returned as pastor and remained until Rev. Perley Tidd came in 1970. In 1972 Rev. John Leddicote became pastor and during his ministry the first two Deacons of the Wilmot Church were named – Gerald Parker and Clair Corbin.
- Since the mid 1970’s... A step out in faith as we venture on our own...
By 1975 trouble had developed between Pastor and people and Rev. Leddicote preached his last sermon on Thanksgiving Sunday. A meeting was held Nov. 21 in which it was decided and agreed upon unanimously, by the 12 members present that the Wilmot Church withdraw from the four church field pastorate and seek a supply minister of their own. A letter was sent to the clerk of the Pastorate stating that Wilmot must withdraw until such time as a pastor could be found who would serve all four churches.
That November meeting ten years ago in 1975 was the beginning of a series of wonderful events which have made these years since a remarkable period in our church history.
Although the membership was small in this new step of faith these few people were determined to keep the church open and contact was made with Rev. Gideon Corey. He came as a supply minister during the rest of November and the month of December that year (1975). During December after consultation with Dr. Harold Mitton (through Acadia Divinity College) Lic. Harry Gardner was recommended and a meeting scheduled between the deacons and Mr. Gardner.
The meeting went well, but Mr. Gardner was already committed to Burlington Baptist Church for summer services. However he agreed to conduct Sunday services for an unspecified time period beginning Jan. 1, 1976. With that giant step and in a oneness of mind, and in love and faith, the atmospheric conditions were conducive to radical change. The “Showers of Blessings” from Heaven began to fall!!
The rest of the story is so joyful and uplifting. The Lord truly blessed this little body of people and their Pastor. When people dare to step out in faith for Him – He does bless!
The church attendance and membership continued to grow. Some members transferred from Tremont Church because of the unrest there and found love and fellowship and spiritual uplifting at Wilmot. Others became adherents and many new members were added by Baptism. The church became spiritually rich.
Materially, things became to happen too. When there was a need financially, the money seemed to appear “out of thin air”. By January 1977 so much had been accomplished that a special meeting was held to discuss the possibility of hiring Mr. Harry Gardner as a full time minister. It was agreed upon unanimously, and at that time Mr. Harry Gardner accepted the call. Application was made to the Home Mission Board for assistance with the Minister’s salary ($2000.00), and was received.
In February 1978 the South Farmington School, across from the church, was leased as a church hall for a 5 year term with option to renew the lease or purchase the property at the end of that period. However, negotiations had taken place with the Municipality of Annapolis County and on Sept. 16, 1979 official word was received that the price offered had been accepted. A special meeting was called and it was agreed to purchase the building and property. In a matter of a few months the entire amount of money was raised and the debt eliminated. The Mortgage Burning Ceremony took place on June 12, 1981.
During this period, the parsonage was built within the west side of the former school building (now Christian Fellowship Centre) and the pastor and his family had taken up residence there in January of 1979 and it has been utilized as a home for our pastor and family these many years..
Many other improvements have been made in both church and centre and many projects taken on and successfully completed over the years. Spiritually, great strides have been made as well.
Rev. Harry Gardner resigned as pastor in April of 1982 as God lead him in different directions ( most notably involvement in the work of our denominational body in different capacities and for many years as Executive Minister). Over the following years God has provided a number of pastors to guide us since that time. The following is a list of their names and years of service…
1975 – Nov. & Dec. (Interim)...............Rev. Gideon Corey
1976 – 1982..............................................*First full-time pastor ...Rev. Harry Gardner (wife Gail)
1982 – 1984..............................................Rev. Dennis Kaser (wife Sandra)
1984 – 1989..............................................Rev. Randy Fawkes (wife Sharon)
1989 – 1992..............................................Rev. Roger Moore (wife Christine)
1992 – May, June & July (Interim).....Rev. John Macleod (wife Evangeline)
1992 – 1997..............................................Rev. Fred Bigelow (wife Valerie)
1998 – Jan till April (Interim)................Rev. Bob Billings (wife Barbara)
1998 – May (Interim).............................Rev. John MacLeod (wife Evangeline)
1998 – 2002.............................................Rev. Derek and Rev. Robin McCoombs
2003 – Jan – April (Interim)..................Rev. Roger Cann (wife Sadie)
2003 – May – Aug. (Interim).................Lic. Andy Northup (wife Cathy)
2003 – Present........................................Rev. David Phillips (wife Susan)
We have enjoyed good fellowship with our sister churches in the area and have remained an active part of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches for many years now and in 2008 after discussions with our membership it was decided to change our church name from the “Wilmot United Baptist Church” to simply the “Wilmot Baptist Church” in line with other churches that have done so, which followed the renaming of our denominational body to give more clarity and definition to our name.
We continue to use the historic building that first housed the Union Church that was built in 1872, and have undertaken many works of upgrading especially the new entry and washroom added just recently in 2008 and we continue to heavily utilize the Christian Fellowship Centre building for many other facets of ministry. God has been good and blessed us in many ways these past years and we pray that it will continue for the years ahead as we serve God to the fullest here in this central location we have been placed. Our membership has seen fluctuations up and down over the years with a present number of members being approximately 110.
We look forward to the future days ahead of us and the continued opportunities to witness and serve this area of the Annapolis Valley and beyond with our mission efforts. Please feel free to join with us as we continue to write our history with God’s leading spirit in the years ahead.
...to God be the Glory ...great things he has done!
