Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1888 (Creation)
Extent
100000
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Alliance of the Reformed Baptist Church of Canada was formed in 1888, started by Baptist ministers in the Maritimes who had strong spiritual experiences. It was influenced by the Holiness Revival, which focused on living a holy life and spiritual renewal. The church grew quickly in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, expanding from 8 to 66 churches between 1888 and 1913, and growing from 540 to 1,899 members.
In its early years, the Alliance focused on evangelism and starting new churches. Many ministers were ordained to serve across the region. In 1901, Ella Hadassah Kinney Sanders became the first woman in Canada to be ordained by the church. However, the Alliance also faced criticism from traditional Baptist groups who disagreed with its teachings.
Although the Alliance grew at first, it later struggled to keep its momentum, especially as new churches like the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene emerged. In 1966, the Alliance joined with The Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection contains miscellaneous historical materials related to the life and development of the district, including photographs, news clippings, anniversary programs, written histories, and other ephemera. These items document significant events, people, and milestones in the district’s history and reflect its spiritual, cultural, and organizational legacy.