OLD ST. EDWARD'S CHURCH & THE LOYALISTS

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Sunday, August 16th, I attended the anniversary service at Old St. Edward's Anglican Church in Clementsport,  Nova Scotia which was constructed by Loyalists of Dutch ancestry and others in 1795. They settled in the area after arriving from New York at the close of the American Revolution. 


Old St. Edward's Church 

The sign located in front of the church reads:

This Church was built by the United Empire Loyalists when they settled in the area in 1784. It was consecrated by Bishop Inglis, 1st Bishop of Nova Scotia. 

Annual memorial services are held the 3rd Sunday of each August. 

At the service which I attended the sermon was given by the current Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the Right Reverend Sandra Fyfe. The Church was consecrated by Bishop Charle Inglis on September 17, 1797.


With Bishop Sandra Fyfe


During the service an old Dutch Hymn of Thanksgiving was sung and the flag of the Netherlands hangs on a wall in the church recognizing contribution of the United Empire Loyalists, many of whom were of Dutch ancestry.  Their surnames included Ditmars, Vanderbilt, and Vroom.


Flag of Netherlands 


As well as the United Empire Loyalists of Dutch descent who settled in the area there were some Hessians such as Dr. Frederick Boehme (1751 - 1831).   He is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Church.  A plaque placed on a wall in the Church in August 1931 states he was Physician to the Waldeck and Hessian mercenaries and the country - side and a resident of Clementsport.  As well he was Donar of the Bell and Communion Plate now in use.


Plaque to Dr. Frederick Boehme 


In September, 2016, when I visited the Church to prepare a video about the history of the Loyalists in Nova Scotia I included a walk around the outside to show the location in the cemetery where some of the founding members were buried.   It can be watched below.






Further Reference:

Old St. Edward's Church & the Loyalists book by Brian McConnell, UE, published in 2021

Old St. Edward's Anglican Church in Historic Places, accessed August 17, 2026





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