Small Hants County church holds its final service

Sarah White enjoyed being the organist at St. Paul's United Church in North Noel Road in East Hants, N.S., but she performed the last set of hymns at her beloved church on Sunday evening. 

White was in the pews when the small church held its first service in 1953. She's been a dedicated member ever since. 

But due to low turnout and high costs, St. Paul's has officially closed its doors. The building is now for sale, joining many other churches across the province to be shuttered in recent years.  

"I'm sick over it," said White. "It's sad. It is sad.

"My husband's funeral was here. He came to church, too, and my daughter. I remember her standing on the seat between us with her little shoes on." 

There's no room to put in a septic system because the church sits in front of a graveyard. The buyer will have to relocate the building entirely. 

Members of St. Paul's will amalgamate with Noel United Church of Canada just a few kilometres away. 

Millie Ettinger said the church was once full of life with dozens of people coming out each Sunday. It was also home to a busy food bank for about 10 years. 

But Ettinger said they'd be lucky if eight to 10 people would attend weekly services following the pandemic.

"I know it has to sell, but it's really hard," said Ettinger, holding back tears.

"Everybody just helps everybody… it's just a great little community. It really is." 

Victor Harvie, White's brother, has also been a member of St. Paul's since the very beginning. 

He helped build the church's foundation when he was 12 or 13. He used his grandfather's horse to haul rocks from people's gardens to use for the cement. 

But when the building was finally finished, Harvie was told he was too young to attend the first service because the building was packed and there wasn't enough room for everyone.

In time, he joined his sister at St. Paul's. Decades later, they were both there together for the final service.

"I hope somebody gets it and moves it somewhere, so one day, maybe if we live long enough, we'll go back and be able to say, 'This used to be ours.'"