First Presbyterian Church - Our Review

Location: 208 MacLean St., New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

Contact: 902-752-5691, First.church@ns.aliantzinc.ca Reverend: Andrew MacDonald, 902-331-0322, yick96@hotmail.com

We left the RV behind today and drove about an hour out of town to meet some new folks and provide a snapshot of our experience in a church review. Our aim is to assist other[ travelers who might want to find a place of worship but want to know what they're in for first to help decide where they choose to go. This is the first of many, so make sure to subscribe at the bottom of the page to get notified each time!

Date Attended:

March 17, 2024

Parking:

We found a parking spot on the street right outside the entrance. All the parking we could see was street-side, but there were lots of other spots close by. We did not see any wheelchair accessible entrance. We didn't see an elevator, but there are entrances on multiple levels into the building.

Were we able to find (accurate) information about service times online?

Absolutely! One Google search led us here: https://pccweb.ca/first-newglasgow/

Atmosphere and First Impressions:

Greeted at the door, given bulletins and a copy of the annual report (to go with the annual meeting happening after the service, as we were informed).

Were refreshments served before or after service?

We were invited by the door greeter to stay for tea and coffee after the service, which we accepted and said we would leave before the annual meeting began. After we settled into our seats for the service, another member of the congregation came and introduced herself to us and invited us, again, to stay for refreshments. We felt very welcome and stayed for a hot cup of tea and (several) homemade sweets.

Do they have a band?

They had a six-member choir and the music director played the pipe organ and piano.

Describe the music:

Unfortunately, the music was a bit boring and it was hard to hear the choir. The place could use an orchestra to help out with the tunes.

Congregation Demographics:

Mostly senior members, two children in attendance, maybe thirty people total.

Seating:

Old fashioned pews, "largest seating capacity in area," fairly comfortable

Do they have Sunday School or child care during service?

There was nothing announced for a children's program, although there were only two children there. No child care.

Message:

Psalm 51:1-12

John 12:20-33

Hebrews 5:5-10

Prayers:

Delivered by minister, some were responsive

Flow of service:

Offering:

Plates were passed around during the service. There is also an option to etransfer to first.church@ns.aliantzinc.ca and get your receipt sent to your email.

Who runs the service?

Revered Andrew

Was there a baptism performed?

No

Communion:

Not today, but it was announced that communion will be served on Easter Sunday (March 31).

How much standing (or kneeling) was required to participate in the service?

We were asked to stand during all four hymns that the congregation sang with the choir. We also stood during a prayer. There was no kneeling.

Did the service begin and end promptly?

The service began on time, at 11am, and was over a few minutes after 12noon, so yes, it was on time.

Recommended Attire:

Business casual, if you don't want to overdress any more than necessary. Dress pants or jeans with a nice shirt are mainly what we saw.

Does the organization offer continuing education to congregants?

A course was offered that is being hosted by Max Lucado. The annual report also includes the names of two "Early Christian Educators."

Community Outreach:

Food bank donations, It was "Food Bank Sunday" the day we attended, so donations were brought to the front of the church along with the offering. The website identifies First Presbyterian as a "mission-focused congregation."

Special Facts about building/organization:

The website boasts that First Presbyterian is "Pictou Country's oldest congregation" and has the "largest seating capacity in the region," which makes this building a perfect venue for weddings, funerals, and it often acts as the "host church for most large community worship services."

Review of Facility:

This building has great curb appeal. Over a hundred years old, the stone structure is both pleasing to the eye and offers that satisfying "steeped-in-history" feeling. Inside the building, the woodwork will take your breath away and the stained glass windows are a cut above any other we have seen. There is a huge pipe organ that is rare to see. The congregants were quick to offer us all kinds of historical facts about the building, like the boards in the ceiling were made by boatbuilders. Besides the stunning sanctuary, there is a great-room to the left that was used for refreshments. Downstairs, there is a large basement area with a kitchen that can be rented for events. This is a perfect venue for a wedding, if you want that traditional feel.

Washrooms (number and accessibility):

There is one washroom on the main level of the sanctuary that is accessible. There are two washrooms in the basement that are not accessible as they have old-style doors that are far too narrow for a wheelchair or walker to go through.

Local Attractions:

New Glasgow has rich Celtic flare. You will notice that some signs are bilingual (English and Gaelic). If you visit Pictou County in the colder months, you can enjoy the shopping, picturesque walking trails, and many choices of restaurants. During the warmer months, there are beaches and parks to explore.

Any time of year (after 4pm), you can treat yourself to some of the most sought-after and unique pizza in the country from one of several Greek-owned shops. They all use a version of "brown sauce" instead of the expected red-tomato sauce and the taste is savory and delicious that cannot be matched anywhere else. Our recommendation is to enjoy a peaceful Sunday morning worship service then enjoy the area for the afternoon until the pizza shops open. It's worth the wait!

Reflections on our Experience

Bill:

My first impression, from somebody who's been to a lot of different churches and places of worship over the years, I found this a quite welcoming experience. Was met at the door with a smile and got handed the bulletin for the week, that was quite informative and a pleasure to read, giving the service a pleasant flow. All in all, it was a positive experience until the music came along. Wow, let me just tell ya. It was not a wonderful experience, but a band would do wonders and truly be a blessing for this beautiful building and congregation. The elderly choir made as much noise as my car stuck in second gear.

Kelli:

This wasn't actually my first time visiting First Presbyterian. I went there a few times about thirty years ago. I didn't remember how beautiful the building was. I would totally go back there if I was in the area again. Reverend MacDonald delivered a touching message on the importance of prayer in daily life and told personal stories that made the lessons become personal.

I felt bad after talking to several members of the congregation because the most common theme, apart from admiration of the structure itself, is the anxiety felt by all over their dwindling numbers. Another Presbyterian church not far away from First, was preparing to close for good. It would be great to see a bunch of young families

In closing, here are three pros and three cons:

Pros: Cons:

Welcoming	Music
Easy to find	Music
Pleasant message	Music

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Any opinions expressed by Bill and Kelli are meant for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not meant to represent the opinions or beliefs of the various organizations involved.

Please feel free to email us at Bill@godwilling.me or Kelli@godwilling.me with any questions or concerns about the service we attended.

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