Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Belfast, Prince Edward Island, built on land donated by Lord Selkirk opened in 1824. It was built by the Selkirk settlers who arrived in Prince Edward Island in 1803 and who populated the surrounding communities of Belfast, Pt. Prim, Flat River, Pinette, Newtown, Wood Islands, Orwell Cove, Eldon, etc. Prior to the coming of the first resident minister Rev. John MacLennan in 1822, the congregation received occasional services and the sacrament of baptism and marriage from Dr. McGregor from Nova Scotia with more regular service provided by Dr. Angus MacAulay who, though not an ordained minister, built a chapel near his home which was used for religious services. Rev. MacLennan and his wife remained for 26 years.
For many years two services were held, one in English and one in Gaelic. They were well attended and the summer communion season required the addition of a tent to accommodate all the communicants. Although over the years an organ, a spire and tower (1860), a small addition and memorial windows (1937) were added and renovations made to the pews and the pulpit, the original church still stands and serves the congregation of Belfast and area. Many of the original communities served by St. John's however have long since built their own churches.