Welcome to the homepage of the Parish of St. James
We are a small rural parish comprising the churches of St. James in Brooklyn, and St. John the Baptist in Poplar Grove. We are located in the county of West Hants, Nova Scotia and are a part of the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
The ministry in our parish is a little different than most Anglican churches. The chief difference lies in the fact that we do not have a minister in our parish. Our weekly Sunday services are generally in the form of Morning Prayer, usually from the Book of Alternative Services, though we do still use the Book of Common Prayer on occasion. These services are led by members of the parish, who conduct the entire service, including a sermon! Though we do not have a rector, we do hold a Communion Service about once every month, with the help of Anglican clergy from the diocese.
During the summer we will often hold an Evensong Service at St. John the Baptist in Poplar Grove. This service uses the Book of Common Prayer, and it is a wonderful, reflective and peaceful time in this beautiful church. Hymns are accompanied by a very fine Bell reed organ.
We would love for you to come out and experience a service here in our parish!
The present St. James' Church in Brooklyn is the third church to bear this name in the parish. Our current church was opened in 1902 and is located in the village of Brooklyn. The architect was the well known William Critchlow Harris from Prince Edward Island.
Construction of the first St. James began in 1790 in an area just above the Herbert River, known as the 'Hollow'. After many years of service it was deemed by the vestry that a new church building was needed and, in 1857, the second St. James was built on the site of the original. This second church was eventually torn down after about 40 years of service. Some of it's foundation stones were used in the construction of the present church. The bell and some furnishings were also used in the 1902 church. Although the first two churches no longer exist in the 'Hollow', the site still contains the original parish cemetery.
Construction of the first St. James began in 1790 in an area just above the Herbert River, known as the 'Hollow'. After many years of service it was deemed by the vestry that a new church building was needed and, in 1857, the second St. James was built on the site of the original. This second church was eventually torn down after about 40 years of service. Some of it's foundation stones were used in the construction of the present church. The bell and some furnishings were also used in the 1902 church. Although the first two churches no longer exist in the 'Hollow', the site still contains the original parish cemetery.
The site upon which St. John the Baptist sits today was the location of a Methodist church, possibly as early as 1794. Sometime in the mid 19th century, the Methodists stopped using the church and it was eventually bought by the Baptists in 1863. The Baptists used the building for about 10 years, after which it hosted only occasional services. In 1924 the building was bought by the Anglican community, and opened for services on April 18, 1924. The present building is not believed to be the original Methodist building of the late 18th century, but rather probably dates to the middle of the 19th century.