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St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

'The Kirk'

Established 1822

105 Coleraine Street, Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada  B0K 1H0

Church Office (902)485-5014

                                                                                                                          

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Our History               

The history of St. Andrew's Church, Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada, dates back to 1822. In that year the Kirk people of Pictou were organized as a Congregation, given the name of St. Andrew's and services began in the old court house.

In the following year, 1823, a wooden church was erected on the present location, just in time for the arrival of the first minister in 1824, the Rev. Kenneth MacKenzie, a native of Stornoway, Scotland. The first wooden structure was replaced in 1866 by one of brick and stone.

However, during the pastorage of Rev. Andrew Armit, disaster struck the Kirk. On the evening of Tuesday, November 7, 1893, the great Gothic structure was razed by fire. Without delay, and with admirable energy, the Congregation proceeded to rebuild, and before returning to Scotland in 1896, Rev. Armit had the great satisfaction of seeing a new and even more beautiful Church opened for worship.

Tragedy nearly repeated itself in October of 2001 when the church steeple on the present structure was struck by lightning and caught fire.  The fire was quickly extinguished and although the building incurred some fire, smoke and water damage, it could have been disastrous.  Miraculously, the magnificent Cassavant pipe organ, located beneath the steeple, was completely spared.  Consistent with the Congregation's history, repairs were soon completed and "The Kirk" restored to full service. 

The present Congregation is made up of some 225 households in which there are about 201 communicant members.  We have a strong Church School, Bible study, Choir, youth activities, committees and societies covering practically all age groups, including:  Session, Board of Managers, Trustees, Atlantic Mission Society, Ladies Association, Bible Society. 

We are very proud of our church and its history and committed to ensuring its continued prominence in our community's future.

                      

MINISTERS
bullet1824-1838 K. J. MacKenzie    
bullet1838-1843 H. Williams
bullet1849-1879 A. W. Herdman
bullet1880-1884 Robert Burnet
bullet1886-1888 John M. Callan
bullet1889-1893 Robert Atkinson
bullet1893-1896 Andrew Armit
bullet1897-1903 W. T. D. Moss
bullet1904-1916 L. H. MacLean 
bullet1916-1925 E. A. Kirker
bullet1927-1929 J. W. Emslie    
bullet1930-1934 S. T. Nichol                                
bullet1935-1939 S. B. Carey
bullet1939-1941 C. S. Miller
bullet1943-1948 W. H. Brown
bullet1949-1952 T. J. Watson
bullet1954-1962 H. M. Buntain
bullet1963-1965 M. Y. Fraser
bullet1966-1966 W. J. Morrison
bullet1967-1970 D. L. Mawhinney
bullet1971-1974 J. A. Bodkin
bullet1974-1983 W. B. Moase
bullet1985-1986 V. B. Dennis
bullet1986-2001 H. Kenneth Stright
bullet2003-2007 H. Alan Stewart