‘Celebration of what God has done for us:’ Halifax church celebrates 193rd anniversary

New Horizons Baptist Church in Halifax just celebrated its 193rd anniversary.

One of Halifax’s longest standing churches is still riding high after celebrating an impressive milestone.

New Horizons Baptist Church celebrated their 193rd anniversary on Sunday.

“Last Sunday was just another example of what God continues to do, so the joy is exponential each year,” says Rev. Grace Skeir, the church’s associate pastor.

Members held a special service filled with performances, speeches and appearances, including from African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister, Twila Grosse.

Rev. Skeir says she is proud of the church’s growth.

“There are many churches closing and to see our church growing... it’s a celebration of what God has done for us… God has been so good and so faithful to us over so many years,” says Skeir.

“This church has always been a place where people have come and found fellowship. But most of all, they have encountered the Lord Jesus, and that is our mission, not only to invite people in, but to go into the community and to make sure that we minister to the needs of people, whether it’s social, economic or spiritual.”

With deep roots in the city, New Horizons has become something of a landmark since its creation.

“It started back in the early 1800’s. It was just a little small church from what I read. It was just a little chapel. And we had a gentleman by the name of Richard Preston who came here from Virgina,” says George Gray, the church’s historical chairperson.

Preston, an ordained preacher, helped build the church and worked to keep its doors open for everyone.

“The leaders at that particular time, they had a vision. Maybe they didn’t know that this church would last this long but I believe they had a vision,” says Gray. “They wanted something substantial for the Black people at that particular time, because there was a lot of prejudice, there was a lot of discrimination.”

Over the years, the church has gone through many phases. From name changes to renovations, to a whole new generation of members and ministers.

“The church was the African Baptist Chapel and then eventually became Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, and now it’s known as New Horizons Baptist Church,” says Gray.

Gray says he remembers going to New Horizons in his younger years.

“We had a young people’s group Baptist Youth Fellowship, and we would meet here on Friday night… this was our place to come and play games, enjoy each other’s company and just have a fun night on Friday night,” says Gray. “For us to last 193 years, that says a lot.”

Still Gray says one thing that has stayed the same, is the church’s ability to offer people a place of refuge and a beacon of hope.

“This particular church has helped people financially (if they had) a fire or some type of disaster within their family. This church has helped many, many people,” says Gray.

“I pray to God that we will continue to this legacy of faith, this legacy of hope, this legacy of love that our forefathers and mothers left to us.”

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.