About Our Church
Welcome to LUBC!Our Mission & Vision
Our vision and mission is to help connect people to faith
We welcome all people to join us in worship and in the life of the church community. Established in 1873, we are a congregation in the Baptist tradition. Yet people of many Christian traditions, and none, are part of our church family. We follow Jesus Christ, who reveals how expansive God’s welcome and call are, so no matter who you are, we hope you will find a sense of welcome here.
Sunday worship services begin at 11:00 am. During our worship, we sing, and we are led in prayer and the reading of scripture by members of the congregation. We also hear a sermon, usually given by our Pastor, which is grounded in one or more of our Bible readings for the day. On the first Sunday of each month, and on other special days, we share the Communion meal together.
When joining us for worship, you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and sit where you feel comfortable. Each week, we have a printed worship guide (bulletin) that helps lead us through the service, and that gives us information on what’s happening in the church community, and beyond.
Our children are encouraged to participate in worship. There are times both of listening and of open conversation for children, and we do our best to offer them opportunities to experience worship through all their senses. Children are also encouraged to participate as equal leaders in worship and service. They lead us in reading scripture, preparing for services, and in being the best church bellringers in the area!
Our History
The first Baptist Church in this district was known as the Valley West Meeting House. It was built in 1845 to accommodate the Baptist families of Williamston, Inglisville and Lawrencetown.
This was built on the present road to South Williamston. They met once or twice a month and the services were conducted by ministers who came from neighbouring communities. A building committee was appointed for the Lawrencetown Baptist Church in 1871.
The Lawrecetown Baptist Church is a daughter of the Nictaux Church, so in 1873 application was presented to the Nictaux Church for dismissal of a number of members to form the Lawrencetown Baptist Church. Erection of the church building was begun in 1873 and in 1876 the Baptists dedicated their first church. The steeple was a striking feature and rose to a height of one hundred and two feet. This structure was destroyed by fire on February 12, 1938. The present building was erected following the destruction of its predecessor and was dedicated on June 11, 1939. In 1941 the electric organ was dedicated on July 27th. On October 3, 1948 the 75th Anniversary Services were held. On January 28 th , 1958 it was voted at a meeting to build the extension on the church. The 85th Anniversary Service was held on October 12 th , 1958 at 11:00a.m. and the dedication of the Christian Education Building was at 8:00p.m.
Mrs. O.A. Eisner donated a memorial window in the choir loft in memory of her husband, Deacon O.A. Eisner, in 1963. In 1967 the burning of the mortgage on the Christian Education Building took place and on January 31, 1971, the first radio broadcast service from this church occurred with Rev. John S. Beers preaching. New gowns purchased for the Choir were dedicated on May 30th , 1971. In 1973 the church celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
Convictions and Commitments
1
We believe that God self-reveals as relationship – Father, Son, and Spirit – and calls people into relationship with God, with one another, and with creation. Together, we seek to give and receive good relationship in all areas of life.
2
We believe that Jesus Christ is both eternally God and the fullest expression of God to humanity. Together, we seek to affirm Jesus as Lord by walking in his way.
3
We believe that the Bible communicates God’s will, and that its truth reveals the full and everlasting life God brings. Together, we seek to interpret the Bible responsibly under the guidance of Holy Spirit, and to apply its truth to our life as a church.
4
We believe that God invites each person to freely accept a shared life of discipleship. Together, we work to meet both the need we ourselves have, and the need around us though connection and service.
5
We believe that gathering to worship connects us to God and God’s purposes. Together, we pray, sing God’s praise, and share the Christian practices of The Lord’s Table (Communion) and Baptism as transforming signs of God’s love and loyalty.
Who We Are
Our Leadership
Our Pastor: Andrew Taylor
Pastor
Andrew Taylor began as Pastor of LUBC in October 2022. He grew up on the west coast of Canada and continues to enjoy becoming a Nova Scotian. In addition to Christian ministry in churches and public institutions, Andrew has worked in telecommunications, health, and sport. His diverse experience feeds his longing for churches to see themselves as part of their local communities.
A desire to research Christianity brought Andrew to Nova Scotia and Acadia University in 2021. He is interested in how people from different backgrounds learn about faith and spirituality, and in the ways communities of faith to use words to name and reflect on their relationships with God. Andrew has studied social sciences and theology at various institutions. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry from Taylor Seminary (Edmonton, AB) and a Certificate in Interpersonal Conflict Resolution from ADR Institute of Alberta.
Andrew enjoys the blueberries of east coast low bushes and the purple fireweed of west coast high mountains. Though he sees the creativity of God bursting forth from the natural world, he remains suspicious of the verticality of seahorses.
