The old Church, built in 1818, and enlarged in 1838, was out of date and not in keeping with the progress of the city. It was therefore resolved, in March, 1864, to erect in its place a substantial brick building. To this work the pastor gave himself with untiring zeal and unabated energy, contributing of his own means and obtaining subscriptions from his relatives and friends to forward the undertaking on which he has set his heart. The corner stone was to have been laid on the 24th of August, but the pastor was suddenly taken ill, and died on 14th of September, 1864. On the 22nd of September the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, but a shadow was thrown on the scene, for the loved and laborious pastor was not there, but had gone to his rest and reward.
The vestry was completed and dedicated on the 6th of February, 1864, when a discourse was delivered by Rev. I. E. Bill commemorative of the life and work of the Rev. Henry Vaughan.. Mr. Vaughan is the only pastor of this Church since its formation who has died while pastor.
The Church was completed in 1866, and was built of brick with cut stone trimmings. It was of the Gothic style of architecture in use in the early part of the fourteenth century, with some adaptations. It had a frontage of fifty feet on Germain street, and seventy-five on Queen. The entrance was through the tower in the centre of the building and was surmounted by a portal pleasing to the eye. The vestibule had a groined roof, and the ceiling of the main auditorium, being supported by pillars, together with the Gothic roof, gave a very pleasing appearance to the interior. There were galleries on three sides of the church, the choir and the organ occupying the one facing the minister. The main audience room was dedicated on the second Sunday in November, 1866. It was a beautiful sanctuary, commodious, homelike and pleasant, suggesting the words of the Psalmist: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts.” The Baptistry was in the Vestry, on the northern side of the room, the platform being over it, and the seats arranged to face the same way. Off the Vestry were the Parlor and Infant classrooms, in the same positions as in the present building, while the library was in the south-west corner. The cost of the building was $40,000.
The Parsonage faced on Germain street, and was built of wood, being the building erected in 1840. In 1872 it was remodeled at a cost of $1,400, and made very comfortable for the family of Rev. Dr. Carey.
REV. DR. CAREY’S PASTORATE, 1865-1881.
REV. G. M. W. CAREY was invited to visit the city in August, 1865. He came, preached for three Sundays, and received a unanimous call to the pastorate. He accepted and entered upon his labors here on the third Sunday in December, 1865.
Death of Rev. Samuel Robinson.
The death of Rev. Samuel Robinson occurred September 16th, 1886, after long and successful pastorates in this and Brussels Street Churches. For some twelve years he was pastor here, during which time 374 persons were added to our membership by baptism and 188 by letter—a total of 562. At Brussels Street Church he labored from 1850 up to the time of his death—sixteen years—and was the means under God of adding to the membership of our sister Church 456 by baptism and 191 by letter—647 in all. During his two pastorates in this city, which covered the long term of twenty-seven years, he thus received into the two Churches the large number of 1,209 persons. Mr. Robinson probably did more than any other man of his time in extending Baptist principles in this city and county, and his work was greatly blessed by God.
Revival Services.