SAVING A LOYALIST CHURCH

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In 2022, the oldest substantially unaltered church in Canada built by United Empire Loyalists needed a costly new roof in order to remain open.  Old Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Middleton was built by several well known Loyalists who had settled in Nova Scotia as refugees after the American Revolution.  They included  Timothy Ruggles, Samuel Vetch Bayard , and  Reverend John Wiswall .  The United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada provided a substantial grant of $12,500 to assist in this vital work. It was the second time the UELAC or one of its' members helped to save the historic site. On 27 July 1998, it became a provincially registered property under the Heritage Property Act of Nova Scotia.
Work at Old Holy Trinity Church to Repair Roof

I attended the 225th anniversary service of Old Holy Trinity Church in 2016, marking the event when the first service was held in August, 1791.  Later, I was contacted by a member of the Board of Directors of the Old Holy Trinity Charitable Trust which operates and maintains the building and asked if I was interested in becoming a member. I joined the Board that year.   As a member I became aware of the pressing need for roof repair and successfully appled to the UELAC for the grant.

In 1991, Old Holy Trinity also had been in danger of closing when the parish minister proposed to have it torn down  as he did not wish to incur the substantial repair costs as reported in The Diocesan Times.   However,  a member of the church,  Mary G. (Teed) Gillis, UE , rallied support to maintain it.  She was a descendant of a United Empire Loyalist and member of the UELAC.   Subsequently, the Old Holy Trinity Charitable Trust was formed. 


 Headstone in Old Holy Trinity Cemetery of Mary Gillis, UE

The church still uses the original Bell installed in 1797 that was a gift from William Bayard, father of Samuel, and made in England.  It also has old books and a plate that was provided by a sister of Samuel Bayard in 1792.   To watch a video which I prepared see below.


As noted in my book  The First Church - Old Holy Trinity in Middleton, Nova Scotia the church was the first place of religious worship built in Middleton, Nova Scotia and the first of three Anglican churches located in the town. 


Further Reference:

Old Holy Trinity Church & the Loyalists by Brian McConnell, UE and published by UELAC in 2022

The First Church - Old Holy Trinity in Middleton, Nova Scotia by Brian McConnell, UE, published in 2023

Old Holy Trinity accessed on March 31, 2026





Historian & Author; Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada, Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, Ontario Genealogical Society, Ulster Historical & Genealogical Guild (Life)

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