Heritage
The Three Churches
Three congregations. Three architectural styles. One harbour view that's quietly become Nova Scotia's most recognisable photograph.
A short timeline
- 1833 — Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians share a Union Meeting House on Edgewater Street.
- 1861–63 — Presbyterians build their own church (later Trinity United) on Clearland Road.
- 1869 — St. John's Evangelical Lutheran is built at the shore.
- 1885 — The Presbyterian church is moved down to Edgewater Street.
- 1887 — St. James' Anglican is consecrated, designed by William Critchlow Harris, completing the trio.
- 1925 — Methodist and Presbyterian congregations unite; the Presbyterian building becomes Trinity United.
- 1926 — Trinity United's tall spire is removed after storm damage.
Why mariners loved them
For most of a century, the three steeples were used by ships to line up an approach to the harbour. St. James' 30-metre spire was marked on marine charts.
Visit today
All three churches are active congregations and welcome visitors. The best place to photograph the view is from the parking area on Edgewater Street, just past the Visitor Information Centre. Early-morning fog and late-afternoon golden hour are the photographer's favourites. In summer, the Three Churches Concert Series runs at St. James'.