Left: Original site of Trinity United, above Bayview Cemetery, overlooking Mahone Bay. Circa 1863-1885.

Nearly all of the original settlers of Mahone Bay were “Foreign Protestants” who came to Halifax in 1750-53 from their homes in German, Switzerland and France.In 1753, 1453 of them were moved to Lunenburg County, where they were given land. Many were Lutheran, others Presbyterian/Reformed. Some were converted to Methodism in the years following 1812, and others became Baptists. At first they attended church in Lunenburg, but as time passed they wanted to have services in their own community,and met in homes and schoolhouses.

In 1833 the four denominations – Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian – joined in building a Union Meeting House on Edgewater Street and worship services were held there for many years. One by one the four congregations built separate churches in the village. The Presbyterians built their church in the years 1861-63 on the Clearland Road, on what is now the upper corner of Bayview Cemetery. That is the building in use today as Trinity United Church. George Eisenhauer of Oakland was the Sunday School superintendent at the time,and he became the chief purchasing agent, sending to Halifax for the nails and other hardware used in the building. Lumber was obtained from the local Keddy mill. Funds were raised by canvassing the community and by the sale and rental of pews; this was common practice at the time.

For many years Mahone Bay had been a station on the Lunenburg pastoral chare, and this arrangement continued for some time after the construction of the church. But in 1868 Ebenezer McNab was appointed to work in the area. In 1869 he was formally called to be the minister, the congregation was organized and six elders were chosen, among them George Eisenhauer.

In 1885 it was decided to move the building closer to the center of the town. It was lifted two feet from its foundation, placed on rollers and over a period of ten days was hauled by horse a distance of about a quarter of a mile down the hill to its present location. While the work was in progress an unexpected storm threatened to dash the church from its perch. The minister, Rev. D. Stiles Fraser, spent the night in prayer. In the morning the gale ceased, the church stood safely, and the work continued.

In 1894 the church was again raised and a basement hall added. Meanwhile, Methodist services were held in Mahone Bay and Mader’s Cover from about 1822, and the congregation was part of the Lunenburg circuit. Revivals in the 1840’s greatly added to the strength of the congregation. In 1874 a church was built on the corner of Maple and Fairmount Streets, and in 1883 Mahone Bay became a circuit with its own minister.

In 1925 the Methodists and Congregationalists, and most of the Presbyterians in Canada, joined to form the United Church of Canada. In Mahone Bay the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations combined to form Trinity United Church, and it was decided to use the former Presbyterian church building for worship and other activities. The Methodist building was for some time used as a hall, and was later torn down.

The steeple of Trinity Church had been tall and pointed, as are the steeples of the neighbouring Anglican and Lutheran churches, but in 1926 it was found to be unsafe and was torn down.

In the earliest times the congregations had no organs, but after some years pump organs were installed; in the Presbyterian church in 1885 and in the Methodist church in 1890. In those years, Henry Eisenhauer was choirmaster in the Presbyterian church and Isaiah Westhaver in the Methodist church. In 1947 the United Church congregation purchased and dedicated a memorial Casavant pipe organ at a cost of $5,075. This was evidently a popular move, as the instrument was debt free a month after the dedication.

The addition of a hall and Sunday School rooms was dedicated in 1967. For many years the congregation owned a manse. A housing allowance is now provided for the minister.

The church is of the Gothic Revival style of architecture – Victorian. The gable end is completed by a cornice to form a triangular pediment. The roof has a steep pitch.

If you are interested in a more detailed history of Trinity United Church, one of Mahone Bay’s famous “Three Churches” on the waterfront, a History of Trinity United Church, written by the late Rev. Flemming Holm, published in 2005 with the Trinity United Church History Committee, complete with black and white photographs, is available from the church office for the price of $5 (incl. tax). Please let us know if you would like a copy of this informative history of our church.

     Trinity United in its original location as a Presbyterian church with a tall steeple, (Anglican church behind it) located above Bayview cemetery overlooking Mahone Bay. Circa 1863-1885.

The Sanctuary decorated for Harvest Thanksgiving Service, circa 1935-41.