In 1862, Ebenezer Lidstone and Henry Baker of Bedeque, settled in Cape Wolfe and encouraged the Baptists to come and worship. First services were held in the homes by visiting ministers. As a result, the first Baptist Church was constructed in Cape Wolfe. In 1865, the congregation was received into the Nova Scotia Baptist Association with a membership of twenty-nine; but, as time went by, there were more converts. People joined from Knutsford, Springfield, and as far west as Alberton. Over sixty people were converted and baptized at special meetings held in 1877 by the Rev. J.A. Gordon. After this, evangelistic campaign meetings were held in Knutsford School, and at the home of Joshua Smallman to accommodate new members. The Rev William Smallman was one of these converts.

In May 1879, a meeting was held to consider building a church in Knutsford. Little was accomplished until April 12, 1880, when Pastor Corey called upon Rev. E.N. Archibald of Bedeque to visit the field. A meeting was held and a decision to build was made. James Silliker made a free gift of land available to them, and a committee was appointed. It was made up of Joshua Smallman, Richard Smallman, James Gay, John Moreshead, and William Harris.

Opening and dedication services were held on Sunday, January 30, 1881. Rev. E.N. Archibald was the first minister and the Rev. William Bradshaw, his brother-in-law, was the guest speaker for the occasion.

Records of June 20, 1882, showed an active membership of fifty- four, and the establishment of a Sunday School.

By July 18, 1894, a new church was built in Springfield West. Rev. Henry Carter was the first pastor. Andrew Currie, Neil Ellis, Thomas Costain, James Hopgood, and Robert England helped to erect the building, with Neil Ellis supplying the lumber for it.

In 1878, land for a burial ground was bought from Robert Ellis. In 1902 a house was bought from William Ellis for a parsonage. The envelope system for offerings was introduced in 1894.

By the year 1955, a need for expansion was evident in the Knutsford Church, especially for Sunday School facilities. After sever- al meetings, it was decided to built a new church in O’Leary. Edgar Smallman donated the lumber for the frame. Claude Jelley and Aubin Wedge set the building stakes. On June 14, 1956, the Rev. C. O. Howlett, turned the first sod, and in a short ceremony asked God to bless the structure.

Raynall MacNeill, Ralph Adams, and Brenton Smallman were given the task of coming up with ideas for designs for the new build- ing. A decision was made to use the services of Keith Pickard as the

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