| St. George's Church | |||||||||||
| Location: | 119 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1C2 | ||||||||||
| Country: | Canada | ||||||||||
| Language(S): | English | ||||||||||
| Denomination: | Anglican | ||||||||||
| Style: | Gothic Revival | ||||||||||
| Years Built: | 1785-1791 | ||||||||||
| Completed Date: | 1791 | ||||||||||
| Embedded: |
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St. George’s Church is an Anglican church located on Charlotte St. in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Construction began on the church around the same time as the founding of Sydney in 1785, making it the oldest building in Sydney and the oldest church in Cape Breton. The church was built by the 33rd Regiment of Foot. It was designated a Nova Scotian heritage property on April 4, 1984.[1]
In an article published in The Sydney Post in 1901, C.W. Vernon states, “There is not another building in the island which is so intimately connected with our local history as is St. George’s Church, Sydney.”[2]
The church's history begins around 1785 when efforts to build the church began under the leadership of Major F.W. DesBarres, the first Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Cape Breton.[3] The church's construction included grey stone from Louisbourg and stones from France. Around the commencement of construction, the British Parliament voted £500 to aid in the building and another £300 in 1803. A part of the church was reserved for garrison use.
Ranna Cossit was born in 1744 and died in 1815.[4] He was an Anglican priest in New Hampshire before moving to Cape Breton in 1785 as a loyalist. He was offered £120 annually, a house, glebe lands, and financial support for the move— ultimately he had to cover much of the costs himself. Cossit is a central figure in the early history of St. George’s Church. Robert Morgan states, “By Christmas Day 1789, Cossit held the first church service in the new church christened St. George’s. Even though there were no pews, pulpits or seats, another step forward had been taken in the little colony.”
Until this day, the church holds its royal designation and is the place of worship for members of the royal family who visit Cape Breton. On July 16th, 1967, St. George’s was visited by H.R.H Queen Mother Elizabeth.[5]
Included in the St George’s Church burial registry is a brief burial record document referencing Diana Bastian.[6] Bastian was a young black woman who died tragically in 1792 giving birth to twins after experiencing a life of enslavement. Abraham Cuyler, a loyalist from New York, is the individual who enslaved Bastian.
An excerpt from the burial record reads: “Buried Diana Bastian a Negro Girl belonging to Abraham Cuyler Esq. in the 15th year of her age, she was deluded and ruined by George More Esq. the Naval officer and one of Govr. Macarmick’s Counsel by whom she was pregnant with twins and delivered off, but one of them…”
In recent years, great efforts have been undertaken by local volunteers to protect and preserve the historic St. George’s Church.[7] Today, the church is a popular tourist location, particularly for cruise ship passengers due to its proximity to the port of Sydney.
The Sydney Post. April 26th, 1947. The Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.