Anglican Churches
of Pictou County
St. Alban’s, Thorburn
Parishioners describe their history
St. Alban’s,Thorburn, is the youngest congregation historically
of A.C.P.C. Anglican services began in Orange Lodge Hall, with
the rector of New Glasgow, the Rev. Abbott, ministering. In
1950, Freeman and Everett George designed and erected the
church building. Men of the church completed the interior.
Church wardens,Vestry, Ladies Guild, Men’s Club, and Sunday
School became a reality. In 1979 – thanks to a government
employment programme, and a loan and grant from the
Anglican Foundation, as well as through the Ladies’ Guild
fundraising – a basement, vestry, church entryway and porch
were added and the interior was remodeled. The mortgage
was paid in full in 1985 and the Church building was
consecrated. In 2007, St. Alban’s joined to be part of the of the
parish of Stellarton. St. Alban’s is a modest-sized congregation,
but continues to be a faithful witness to Thorburn and the
surrounding area. (Submission for Photo Directory, 2009)
St. Bees’, Westville
St. Bees’ Describes Its History
St. Bees’: Ministry in Westville began in 1888. The rector
of Stellarton was responsible for services and pastoral
care; one early rector is remembered for coming to
Westville using snowshoes in the winter time. St. Bees’
became a separate parish in early 1898. The original
Church building was destroyed by fire, and the present St.
Bees’ was built in 1911. (“St. Bees’ ” is the name of a
parish in northwestern England, and is attributed to a
princess, originally from Ireland, known for her
compassion and kindness.) The Todd Memorial hall,
named after a former long-time rector, was completed in
1965. Since 1967, St. Bees’ and Christ Anglican Church
have shared a rector.
Some members of St. Bees’ choir &
layreaders
Christ Church, Stellarton
Christ Church Describes Its History
Christ Anglican Church began its formation on July 1849,
when plans were made for Albion Mines (now Stellarton) to
have an Episcopal (Anglican) Church. 175 pounds was raised
locally, the General Mining Association gave 125 pounds and
the site. In 1851, coal miners were given a day off to help
erect the Church building frame. Miners later supported the
church through weekly pay deductions. The name “Christ
Church” was chosen by the bishop. In 1945, the construction
of the hall began and was completed in 1951. The church was
raised and miners dug the hall out by hand. In 2001, Christ
Church celebrated its 150th anniversary was celebrated with a
concert by the Men of the Deeps and children from G.R.
Saunders Elementary School. Christ Church continues to be
active today, ministering to the town of Stellarton and the
surrounding area.
St. James’, Pictou
St. James’ Describes Its History
St. James’ Anglican Parish had its beginning in 1767 and
expanded in 1812. A friend in Halifax deeded where the
first church was to be built. In 1824, the construction of
the first church began, which was completed and
consecrated in 1829. The Rev. Charles Elliott was
inducted as the first rector of St. James’ and faithfully
carried on the work of this huge parish (Pugwash to Cape
Breton) for over 32 years. In 1879, the second church
building was built on Denoon Street overlooking Pictou
town. The church hall and the original churchyard
cemetery and the former rectory surround the church.
St. James’ continues to be an active parish, ministering to
the town of the Pictou and the surrounding area.
A few ladies, & interior of St. James’
How do these congregations work together?
A.C.P.C.
The Anglican Churches of Pictou County (called
A.C.P.C.) was formed in 2002 with the union of St. James’,
Pictou, Saint Bees’, Westville, Christ Church, Stellarton, St.
George’s, New Glasgow, and St. Augustine’s, Trenton. (St.
Augustine’s was closed and deconsecrated in May 2007.
St. George’s later withdrew its membership and in 2008
St. Alban’s, Thorburn joined by becoming part of the
parish of Christ Church, Stellarton.)
Federation & Parish Structure, 2002
Parishes
New Glasgow
- St. George’s, New Glasgow
- St. Alban’s, Thorburn
- St. Augustine’s, Trenton
Christ Church, Stellarton
St. Bees’, Westville
St. James’, Pictou
Federation & Parish Structure (con.)
St. Alban’s, who voted to remain with ACPC, are part of the
parish of Stellarton.
Back to ACPC…
St.
James’
Christ
Church
St.
Bees’
St.
Alban’s
ACPC Lay Administrative Governance
Structure
ACPC Executive
(establishes agenda, makes
smaller decisions)
St. James’ Parish Council
Congregational Committees
e.g., Spiritual Development &
Outreach
ACPC Council
(for all decisions that affect
each other)
St. Alban’s
Congregational Committees
ACPC COMMITTEES
Spiritual Development
Action (to live out Vision Statement)
Finance
Property
(Members accountable to ACPC Council)
Christ Church Parish Council
St. Bee’s Parish Council
e.g., Spiritual Development,
ACW
Congregational Committees
e.g., Helping Hands
ACPC Clergy
Rector (from ACPC Covenant)
The office of rector is a particular calling which is
specifically responsible for providing leadership and
oversight, undertaking the necessary administrative and
communication responsibilities, some practical liaison
with the wider Church, and overseeing the provision of
good pastoral care, liturgical leadership, teaching, and
other ministries.
Priests

The ministry of a priest is described within the ordination
service as the work of a "pastor, priest and teacher", which
includes "to proclaim by word and example the gospel of Jesus
Christ, to fashion life in accordance with its precepts, to
pronounce God's blessing, to preside at the administration of
holy baptism, and at the celebration of the mysteries of
Christ's Body and Blood, and to perform other ministrations."

Practically speaking, the priests officiate at worship services,
exercise a teaching ministry, provide pastoral care, and spiritual
nurture, serving the local Church within the diocese and the
universal Church, according to our gifts, talents, time, abilities
and energy, as servants of Jesus Christ, throughout the
Confederation.
Clergy
+ Clergy and lay chair of ACPC Council meet weekly
(opening devotions; review week; items for decision; items
for discussion; service schedule, etc.)
+ Parishioners may ask for a particular priest for a funeral
or a wedding
+ Baptism preparation steps are agreed to in common; lay
support sought (through ACPC SDC)
LAY MINISTRIES
There are an active group of 12 layreaders.
+assist at services
+occasionally take Morning Prayer & preach
+have helped in other parishes
+take the sacrament to seniors’ homes monthly (clergy
take a turn about 3 times a year)
+on rotation for home communions
ACPC Office
Mary Reid is presently the part-time office manager (23
hours a week). Her office is in the old Westray mine
building, just outside Stellarton.
Mary’s primary responsibilities are the bulletins, agendas &
minutes, phone inquiries, etc.
acpc@pictouanglicans.ca
www.pictouanglicans.ca
ACPC Men’s Choir & Director Julie Wyands
Lay Ministries
There are the regular ministries one finds in most parishes
in the diocese.
ACPC is in the midst of sponsoring a refugee family.
An ACPC Float (Action Committee initiative)
ACPC Covenant excerpt:

Lay people have a calling to contribute to ministry of
Christ's Church. These particular ministries include
administrative work, pastoral care, teaching, worship,
evangelism, mission, and outreach, and other ministries,
according to our talents, gifts, time and energy. We all
support those who are undergoing a process of ministry
discernment.