St. George’s Church is the oldest building in Sydney, Nova Scotia, with its corner stone laid at the founding of Sydney by Lieutenant Governor DesBarres in 1785. It was constructed by Engineers of the 33rd Regiment as a Garrison Chapel and Parish Church for Sydney. The funding for the church was given by King George III and it is an official Church of the British Royal Family. St. George’s is one of only three churches in North America that hold a Royal Charter. Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1957 and the Queen Mum in 1967.
The original building was a simple structure about sixty feet long, lacking a chancel, sanctuary and tower. The stone used in the construction was brought from the fallen Fortress of Louisburg, with the exception of the finish stones at the corners and around doorways and windows, which were quarried in France and brought over as ballast in ships. There were three palatial painted stain glass windows on each side and a large venetian window at the east wall. The building was completed in 1791.
Between 1840 and 1860 St. George’s underwent construction. The chancel was created replacing the venetian window at the east wall. A sanctuary was also added. This chancel was built into the surrounding graveyard. As a result, several gravestones were relocated.
Originally Gothic, the architectural style became Gothic Revival. The windows were re-shaped from circular to arches, and new ones were added. A new bell tower was constructed, as the previous two had fallen. The new tower was erected of stone and a bell was installed in the early 1800s.
The greatest beauty to be found at St. George’s is in the heart. Rather than a damp and dreary grey atmosphere the church makes one feel like you are tucked safely in the arms of the creator. Thousands, perhaps hundred of thousands, of prayers silently echo within the Church’s three feet thick walls. The countless weddings, baptisms, conformations, and funerals can play in one’s imagination. And perhaps on a day when the sun is shining through the stain glass windows on the south wall you may catch a glimpse of a young soldier in a red coat, standing still for King and Country.
