Little Harbour Presbyterian Church

History

John C. Sinclair was born in Scotland, had spent four years as a Gaelic Catechist on the Island of Tyree and some time in Edinburgh before coming to Nova Scotia with his family in 1838. He had apparently planned to settle on P.E.I. but the ship was going to Pictou so he landed there and soon began teaching school at Cape John. He approached Presbytery asking to become a minister, delivering discourses in both English and Gaelic and was ordained on December 26, 1838. It is difficult to imagine traveling such a large geographic area during those early years on horseback and sometimes likely on foot. The records of Presbytery also tell us that a church building existed in Little Harbour in 1841 as a meeting of Presbytery was held there on June 1, 1841.  

It was not until 1840 that a congregation was actually formed in Little Harbour. In a search of the records of Pictou Presbytery undertaken in 1950 by Rev. W.I. McElwain, the following information was uncovered: “Rev. John Sinclair of Cape John was appointed to preach at Little Harbour on the first, second, third and fourth Sundays of March….and also to preach on Monday, February 10th and at the close of public worship to form the people of that place into a congregation and then to preside at an election of elders among them.” On March 18th Mr. Sinclair reported to Presbytery that he had done so, electing two elders. The Presbytery also “appointed Mr. Sinclair to preach at Middle River on the 4th Sabbath of March, at Little Harbour on the 5th and to supply between these places Rogers Hill and Cape John until the next meeting.

Brief history of Shore Sunday origin:

In July 1951, a forest fire broke out in the Chance Harbour area and burned for several days. It threatened homes and cottages in that section and could easily have spread down along the shore to Melmerby Beach. 

A change in the direction of the wind enabled firefighters to bring the blaze under control without any damage to buildings or loss of life. 

It was suggested that as an act of thanksgiving for bring spared the potential damage of the fire, a special service take place in Little Harbour on the following Sunday. This was done, and ever since, usually one Sunday in July has been designated as “Shore Sunday”. 

The service has become an opportunity for summer residents and visitors to join with the permanent residents of the area in the spirit of fellowship and continued thanksgiving. 

Little Harbour Presbyterian Church remains the only church in the community and welcomes all to join them in each Sunday year round.