*Excerpt from Reuban Butchart's "The Disciples of Christ in Canada Since 1830", Part 2, "The Churches of Christ in NS"*
*This page needs additional information and history. If you would like to contribute information to this project, please email info@restorationhistory.ca*
This point is on the Elmsdale-Windsor highway. It arose in a time when Hants County disciples were anxious that those too distant from other centres, might have a cause of their own. The simplicity and scripturalness of the N.T. order required that it be adopted wherever known; and often this led to beginnings that could not be substantially sustained.
The Christian, April, 1889, reports that W. H. Harding had been there, finding it a new field in an early missionary endeavor on his part, about the beginning of his long ministry. There were but half-a-dozen disciples then. But as far back as 1878, it was reported as a mission of Rawdon. In August, 1892, Nine Mile River was reported as one of the promising mission points of Nova Scotia and that co-operation was aiding it. David McDonald was local treasurer.
In the issue of March, 1894 a new house of worship, to seat two hundred, was on the way; on May 20 it was opened by W. H. Harding as preacher. The leaders then were David McDonald, John W. Wright, James Fraser and their wives. A Sunday School was begun in the summer and the meetings were then well attended. In November, 1895, W. H. Harding reported the organization of the church. The elders were James McDonald and John W. Wright; deacons, Stillman McDonald, James Fraser, Hiram McDonald. The church was the latest one of the Hants County churches. It served a scattered community of its own and was in a thinly-settled section a rallying point for those who felt need of religion, and where tolerance was broad.
The membership was never large. In 1913 it had apparently declined to twenty-seven members with eleven non-resident besides, and was maintaining a S.S. Further facts are not to be had, but the obituary of John W. Wright, an elder, is enlightening. His death was on December 16, 1924. A. J. MacLeod (minister) of Tatamagouche, N.S., wrote a feeling tribute in the Canadian Disciple, February, 1925. The following is a condensation of his tribute. His death leaves an irreparable loss to the community; his life was the kind one meets but once in an ordinary lifetime. A high estimate was had of him as a man and Christian. Without any advanced education or special preparation, yet with talents that could be described as remarkable, he dedicated his whole being to the Master's cause. For many years he conducted the services in his home church, both morning and evening, and once a month, in the afternoon driving to Rawdon, six miles, where he conducted a service. He also went to halls and schoolhouses in other sections, where religious services were few, with all classes, religious and otherwise attending. And everywhere larger congregations came together, Sunday after Sunday, and year after year, than regularly-ordained ministers could draw. Through it all he never accepted a cent of reward, though it was suggested to him. Through his inspiring address and appeals many had their minds turned to the higher things of life. His daily labors were heavy, yet he gave three services each Lord's day, and attended funerals when required, often without preparation; and he did this in an unbroken course of years, until ill-health drove him to the hospital. On the Lord's day, ten days before his death, he held two services, driving miles to do so, visited and prayed with a number of sick persons. Truly his life was filled to overflowing; an inspiration it is hoped to all who read. These notes are written to commemorate such loyalty.
The influence of this church persists (1945) in North St. Christian Church, Halifax, where two daughters of elder John H. Wright are active in the work, as also are two of the sons of Hiram McDonald, both officers; and others are members. Bro. Stillman McDonald (past fourscore in 1945) is the only original church official living. Doubtless other streams of Christian influence could be traced.