About St. John's Anglican Church

Large wooden Carpenter Gothic church dating back to 1763, one of the oldest Anglican churches in Canada with rich historical significance.

Features & Highlights

📍 Historic church
📍 Gothic architecture
📍 religious heritage

Detailed Information

St. John's Anglican Church

The Anglican congregation at 64 Townsend Street in Lunenburg was founded in 1753 as the town's first church and is the second-oldest continuous Protestant congregation in Canada. St. John's, a National Historic Site within Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pairs a plain New England meeting-house exterior with an ornate interior rebuilt after a 2001 arson fire. The congregation still holds regular services and opens the building to summer visitors.

Practical Information

Address: 64 Townsend Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 (Note: Some directories list 81 Cumberland Street, but the church's official site confirms 64 Townsend as correct.)

Hours:

  • Worship Services: Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (The 10:30 a.m. service is livestreamed on YouTube.)
  • Visiting Hours: Not explicitly stated on official sources; business directories list Monday-Sunday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Admission: No fee information is available, as the church operates primarily as a place of worship rather than a ticketed attraction. Donations can be mailed to the Parish Office or sent via e-transfer to donations@stjohnslunenburg.org.

Contact:

  • Phone: (902) 634-4994
  • Email: stjohnslunenburg@bellaliant.com or donations@stjohnslunenburg.org

Visitor Notes:

  • Established in 1753, this active parish welcomes visitors but requests respect during services.
  • Accessibility, parking, and guided tour details are not specified; contact the church directly for current policies.
  • Check the website for special events or seasonal changes. The church also hosts concerts during the annual Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival.

Recommendation: Call ahead to confirm visiting hours and accessibility, as the church prioritizes its role as a worship space.

St. John's is best visited on a Sunday, when the congregation still fills the historic 18th-century building — the 10:30 a.m. service is open to visitors and livestreamed on YouTube for those who can't attend in person.