Trinity United Church, Rose Bay

Genesis: a fine religious Zeal permeated this community as far back as record and memory can reveal. before there were any church structures on the ground for the congregations use, the people were meeting from house to house for worship. prior to that, records show that many covered the distance to Lunenburg Saturday, to be there for Sunday worship.
The first church structure: no available records can be found today to reveal exactly when the first church structure was raised by the congregation, but all evidence points to a time at least 180 years ago when a small church was built at Ritcey’s Cove, where the store of ritzy Brothers now stands. Here, the congregation worshiped for several years. It was an unpretentious building “that ran the record” and had rough boards without backs for seats. Regardless of such and other hindrances, souls were born, and Methodism grew. The following names belong to those days, Kenny Pope, John Marshall, William Webb, John Snowball, William Wilson and Roland Martin.
The second church building in 1867 proved to be an exciting year for the community. The congregation began to make plans to erect a permanent structure to be shared with the Rose Bay people, and so in 1869, it was decided to build, and a site was chosen, the one on which the church now stands. it could serve the homes of Bayport to lower Kingsburg, as well as those at Ritcey’s Cove. The land was purchased from Frederick Conrad. A Liverpool Man by the name of Waterman, who was a contractor. On Sunday, the 29th day of December 1870, the new church, having a seating capacity of 400, was duly dedicated to the worship of god. The next morning service, Reverend JJ Teesdale preached the dedication sermon from the text Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth. psalm 26:8. there was a very large and exceedingly attentive and devoted congregation. at half past two, a still larger congregation listened with rapt attention and with great seriousness to the earnest thoughts of Brother Teesdale well discoursing on the 7th and 8th verses of the first chapter of Haggai: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, consider your ways, go up to the mountain and I will bring wood and build a house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified saith the Lord.” in the evening at past 6:00 the same brother delivered a very pleasing and touching address based on the sublime words of Saint Paul to the Ephesians: of whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth was named. All through the day, the presence of the Lord was graciously manifested to Believers in the spirit of Revival, which seemed to rest upon the whole congregation. Like its predecessor, this church, too, became the scene of many seasons of Grace during the Ministry of Reverend G.O. Houston, Joseph Gaetz, Thomas Rogers, and their successors. When the church was opened, the choirmaster was Joshua Risser. The first trustees were the following: Samuel Risser, Simon Risser, Lemuel Rissor, Ephraim Lohnes, Thomas Ritcey, Isaac Ritcey, and Jacob Ritcey.
the first marriage recorded on Riverport charge is that of Isaac deal of lower Kingsburg and Amanda Zink , which took place in the parsonage on September 6th, 1879. the first baptism, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan and Catherine Hirtle, Kingsburg, born May 7th 1879.
becomes a separate circuit in the year of 1879 permission for a separate circuit from the Methodist conference, and session at Brunswick Street church, Halifax was granted. the new circuit composed of Ritcey’s Cove, Lahave fairy, Rose bay, Felts and south, lower and upper Kingsburg and middle South sections of Lunenburg circuit. the parsonage was erected in 1879, Daniel ritzy being the contractor. the cost of the parsonage was $1400.
ministers serving the new circuit are as follows:
Reverend Arthur Hockin; 1881, Reverend D. B. Scott, 1884, Reverend. g. o. Houston, 1887, Reverend. Robert Williams, 1890, Reverend J I Baddy, 1893, Reverend William Ainsley, 1895, Reverend Oscar Gronland.
Under the faithful leadership of the ministers just previously mentioned, the cause of the Kingdom has grown in numbers, so much so the Methodist has outgrown their church, so a new church was necessary, and the present structure is the result of many plans and proposals. The former church was moved to the rear and formerly served as the Sunday School Ford for social purposes. GW Boomer was a contractor of the present substantial auditorium. the Cornerstone was laid by Reverend Joseph’s shenton. The Epworth League presented the trustees with beautiful reflectors that served the church until the electric lights came out. The Sunday School assisted in providing seats for the school room, and the Beautiful Bible and hymn book, as well as a collection of plates, were a gift from Daniel Ritcey of Winchester Mass. Vestibule lamps were presented by C.H. Robertson and Co. of Halifax. This church was dedicated to the worship of God on Sunday, November 14th, 1897, by Reverend Banj. Hills. Reverend Joseph Gates preach the dedication sermon, from the text see safe that he’ll make all things according to the pattern show the in the mount. Hebrew chapter 8 verse 5. a full house, at night again listen to Joseph Gates on and Enoch walked with god. on Monday night Reverend JL Betty preached to a large congregation on the text colon deep called unto deep. offering for Sabbath at Monday services amounted to $312.35. Reverend Oscar Garland was the first minister of the present church, other ministers were as follows: 1889 Reverend JM fisher; 1902 Reverend Jabez Appleby; 1906 Reverend William perry; 1909 Reverend William brown; 1912 JW Hobbs; 1914 Reverend William nightingale; 1916 Revenge Gornal; 1918 Reverend W Harry Rackman; 1922 Reverend PM Hartley. On June 10th 1925 the congregation entered the largest Union of the United Church of Canada that’s taking their place is worthy part of this new church in Canada. Reverend WJ Wright became its first minister, reorganized the church according to the basis of union. the selected name of the church was Trinity United Church. Members of session: Simon Hirtle, John Ritcey, Cornelius Knock, Hiram Ritcey, Cyrus Parks, Thomas Mossman, Samuel Ritcey, secretary. Trustees: Captain Ben Cook, chairman; Charles Ritzy, Captain Arthur Creaser, Stanley Knock; James Romkey; Captain Clarence Myra; Richard Lohnes; Albert Mossman; Captain William Deal; Lemule Zinck; Russell Ritcey, secretary and treasurer. Stewards: Captain Benjamin Cook, chairman; Warren Mosher, Reuben Ritcey, John Spindler, John Romkey; Captain Frank Risser; Daniel Myra, secretary and treasurer.